Beneath the surface A teen's guide to reaching out when you or your friend is in crisis

Kristi Hugstad

Book - 2019

"Depression and mental illness don't discriminate. Even in the most picture-perfect life, confusion and turmoil are often lurking beneath the surface. For a teenager in a world where anxiety, depression, and other mental illnesses are commonplace, life can sometimes feel impossible. Whether or not you or someone you love is suffering from any of these issues, it's important to be able to recognize the warning signs of mental illness and know where to turn for help. "--Back cover.

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Subjects
Genres
Young adult nonfiction
Informational works
Self-help publications
Published
Novato, California : New World Library [2019]
Language
English
Main Author
Kristi Hugstad (author)
Other Authors
Nancy Guerra (writer of foreword)
Physical Description
xv, 167 pages ; 22 cm
Bibliography
Includes bibliographical references (pages 139-143) and index.
ISBN
9781608686353
  • Foreword
  • Introduction
  • Gavin's Story
  • Chapter 1. What's Going on in Your Brain?
  • Chapter 2. You Are Not Alone
  • Chapter 3. Depression
  • Jackie's Story
  • Chapter 4. Eating Disorders
  • Chapter 5. Bullying
  • Caitlin's Story
  • Chapter 6. Self-Harm
  • Kaley's Story
  • Chapter 7. Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Chapter 8. Peer Pressure and Stress
  • Chapter 9. Anxiety
  • Asher's Story
  • Chapter 10. Substance Abuse
  • Connors Story
  • Chapter 11. Technology Addiction
  • Ethan's Story
  • Chapter 12. Suicide
  • My Story
  • Chapter 13. Finding Hope in the Darkness
  • Gavin's Story, Continued
  • Chapter 14. Creating a Healthy Lifestyle
  • Chapter 15. Reaching Out: Helping a Friend
  • Acknowledgments
  • Endnotes
  • Resources: Where to Get Help
  • Discussion Questions
  • Index
  • About the Author
Review by School Library Journal Review

Gr 7 Up-- As a mother and psychologist who lost her husband to suicide, Hugstad is both personally and professionally committed to helping teens understand their experiences and providing useful and compassionate advice. The first chapter informs teens about brain development and explains why their brains both function and develop differently than adult brains. The following chapters cover an array of topics including depression, bullying, technology addiction, self-harm, anxiety, and substance abuse. In each chapter, Hugstad first defines a challenge then lists and explains the associated signs and symptoms. This is followed by a teen's personal story and concrete advice on getting help for themselves or a teen they know. In the chapter that discusses suicide, the author shares her story of her husband Bill's experience with mental illness, namely depression. The back of the text includes endnotes, a resources list, discussion questions, and an index. While Hugstad's book is highly thorough and compassionate, there is an absence of photographs, infographics, and illustrations. Including relevant visuals would help make the book more approachable. VERDICT An in-depth guide that can educate and empower teens in crisis. An important book that should be purchased for public and school library collections.--Jess Gafkowitz, Brooklyn Public Library

(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review

An overview of mental health problems and solutions for teens.Health educator and author Hugstad (What I Wish I'd Known, 2017, etc.) combines narratives with practical advice in this concise introduction to common mental and emotional health issues. The book begins with a discussion of brain development, and each subsequent chapter addresses a specific concern. Without getting bogged down in clinical descriptions, Hugstad covers depression, eating disorders, bullying, self-harm, PTSD, peer pressure and stress, anxiety, substance abuse, technology addiction, and suicide. Strengths include the comprehensive look at addiction and substance abuse, a keen attention to suicidal risk factors, and practical insights on healthy choices and finding help. Additionally, most chapters include a compelling youth perspective highlighting challenges and growth through a personal story. Unfortunately, Hugstad misses opportunities to consider the impacts of racism, sexism, heterosexism, and other factors that have been linked to mental health risk factors, particularly in the case of LGBTQ+ teens of color. The inclusion of someone diagnosed with gender dysphoria may date the material. Many chapters rightly suggest seeking medical support, and more information overtly addressing socio-economic stressors related to health care access may have been beneficial. Nevertheless, this book provides a useful synopsis, and the inviting tone befits the intended audience.A useful mental health primer for young people that unfortunately contains significant gaps. (endnotes, resources, discussion questions, index) (Nonfiction. 12-18) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.