3 Comics Mark Mental Health Awareness Month

CW: Discussion on domestic violence, depression, self-harm, suicidal ideation, suicide, manic episodes, homophobia and transphobia.

The discussion of mental health issues, even in fiction, is still very shameful. Although the discussion may be a little more open than in the past, representations of pop culture are still mostly the facts modified and exploited to make interesting pages and episodes of one hour rather than honest explorations of mental illness: it alters lives and affects every day of a person's life and the lives of those around him. Rather than examining exactly the mental illness, a disease like diabetes or pancreatitis, an imbalance of neurotransmitters that affects the brain and, in turn, the body. Something that, kidney failure can be controlled but not cured by dialysis, can cause mental illness. managed medications and other treatments, but can not be completely relieved or fixed. That it is not asked, but must be accepted. That's it requires exhaustive maintenance each day that takes a mbadive toll outsiders may never be aware.

I am very interested in this discussion and in the faithful vision of mental illness in fiction. At the age of 20, I was officially diagnosed with depression and a generalized anxiety disorder, but in retrospect, the symptoms probably occurred in my early teens. I have not slept all night, even with the help of medication, more than a handful of times since I was 11 years old (I am almost 41 years old). At the age of 34, I was officially diagnosed with OCD, again, it was simply the date "labeled with the code for insurance purposes". I have discussed the possibility of being bipolar with several physicians who have all concluded that since my medications control my symptoms, a label is not necessary, but yes, it is rather likely. These things tend to end up in families, which is all I'm going to do because they're not my stories to tell, but … yeah. So I personally feel each arc of poorly written mental health. They even annoyed me. They make me angry. It's only recently that I've stopped being ashamed that other people can see me the way they see these characters and realize that it is a failure of writers and readers and not mine. I also understand, however, that it is my responsibility to get up and make noise for the books that do it well, to make sure that these are the books that people read and ask. questions. Help answer these questions if I can, to provide the appropriate resources if I can not.

In the honor of #projectsemicolonday (April 16) and Mental Health Awareness Month (May), let me make some recommendations:

Under the Moon: Lauren Myracle's Catwoman's Tale, Isaac Goodhart, Jeremy Lawson and Deron Bennett (DC INK 5/7/19)

If you need proof that graphic novels are not all capes and tights, this book will provide them. Under the moon is do not easy to read and I suggest parents take a look at it before handing it to their teenagers, or reading it with their. It's not that I advocate censoring books for young readers or avoiding one of the topics covered (see above). Myracle deals very frankly with domestic violence, self-injury, depression and suicide in this story of a young Selina Kyle, and I'm for, but I think adults should be aware of this how their children are interested prepared for any questions that children might have or conversations that parents might not otherwise be prepared to have. Under the moon can help teens express feelings or thoughts they have hidden – thoughts that will require the presence of a calm, stable and loving adult. This can help children recognize dangerous behaviors or signs of domestic violence in their friends, and parents can find themselves the trusted adult in such scenarios; you must be willing to believe them, no matter how much you think you know this other adult. Selina never finds this mentor in Under the moonbut she finds trusted companions, people who will have her, no matter what happens. The people who will be there for her no matter how much time has pbaded or what has happened since the last time she saw them – everyone should have her, and know that he is there can do all the difference. Dear parents, it may be you.

Unstoppable Wasp of Jeremy Whitley and Gurihiru (Marvel 2018-)

Full Disclosure: I was a sensitivity reader on No. 4 of Unstoppable waspso I have every interest in people discovering this book. I was a sensitivity reader on this book because I have every interest in what people are interested in this book. Why? In Issue 4, Nadia Van Dyne has her first manic episode in the wake of her first major failure. It turns out that this is happening in the family: Janet reveals that Hank Pym was bipolar and, although she does not allow (wisely) to explain her abusive behaviors, she does not. uses to appeal to Nadia's scientist, the role of her adoptive daughter who understands genetics and biochemistry, the part that understands that even if the imbalance is not her fault, ask for help to master it as far as possible is his responsibility. The most realistic manic episode I've seen depicting in comics, starting with a basic logical goal and turning into an obsession based on positive intent and becoming encompbading, even damaging to the point of violence, with Nadia able to see the truth only with the help of others. Part of its support structure remains and some falls. There are amendments to make that can be accepted or not. Nadia considers bipolar disorder as a problem to be solved and needs someone to explain to her that it is actually a paradigm shift that will require some work and intervention to be done. life. I cried. A lot. Because it was all that I would have liked that someone explained at my age. Because Nadia had the support I would have liked to have. Because I know what awaits him and that there will be horrible moments, but also a really good luck, she will do it. I want to she does it.

Kiss Number 8 by Colleen AF Venable and Ellen T. Crenshaw

Mads thinks she's happy with her life. Alas, as often happens in her teens, her vision of what life might be was widening and she realized that perhaps she was not as happy as she thought. Confused about her feelings for her best friend, Cat and Adam, the boy next door, and which of them she Actually wants to kiss. She does not understand why Lisa, her long-time friend, is so weird that the entire support structure of Mads disappears. She tries to go to her father, who has always been his best friend, and suddenly finds that she can not talk to him anymore. all and that God keep us she should go to her mother. When a mysterious check arrives on his account, Mads begins to delve into his family's history and discovers things that his father has hidden since the birth of Mads. Things that, if he continues to deny, persists in denying, it means that Mads can never be his authentic self to the most important person of his life.

Being forced to be someone that you are not or deny your identity is a dangerous and extremely detrimental road to mental health, as evidenced by the high rates of suicide among LGBTQIA + youth. According to The Trevor Project, a non-profit organization offering crisis intervention and support to LGBTQIA + youth, LBGTQIA + youth are considering suicide three times more often than heterobadual youth, attempting suicide five times more often and are almost five times more likely to require medical attention. 40% of transgender adults reported attempting suicide and 92% have already done so before the age of 25.

These numbers are staggering. Kiss number 8 will show you why they exist. If you are LGBTQIA +, it will give you hope. he can get better. If you are a parent, friend or family member, it will show you how important your support is.

If you need help, please access any of these resources. If you are concerned about monitoring your computer, use the text function:

Trevor Project Support to LGBTQIA Youth + 1 888 488-7386 (If you can not call, click on the link, text and chat are available).

National Domestic Violence Helpline 1-800-799-7233 / TTY 1-800-787-3224 (If you can not call, you can chat by clicking on the link above)

National Hotline for Teenage Abuse Victims 1-866-331-9474 / TTY 1-866-331-8453 or text "loveis" at number 22522 (chat also available at the address indicated).

Injury and awareness support

To write love on his arms TWLOHA at 741741 (crisis text line)

National Alliance for Mental Illness 800-273-TALK (8255) (National Suicide Prevention Hotline) or Text 741741 (Text Line in Crisis)

or go to the nearest emergency room.

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