Since the launch of the holiday season we have been writing about the hope and progress in mental health, from the groundbreaking Emotion Revolution Summit hosted by Lady Gaga and Yale and the creation of a mental health roadmap for New York City, to the important initiatives being spearheaded by various nonprofits and healthcare organizations around the nation.
It was also the year that we, and many others, continued to focus on the discrimination and judgment that our society continues to bring to mental health issues. At the Flawless Foundation, we believe that changing the language, discussion, and portrayal of mental health is a crucial, innovative part of ensuring better brain healthcare for all. Many public figures have chosen to speak out this year about their own personal experiences with mental illness, and we applaud their courage and candor. Earlier this season, I too felt called to share my own history with mental health challenges more publicly, and once I did, many people were open with me and, feeling empowered, went on to share their own stories.
Authenticity, honesty, and compassion — this is how the revolution for brain health starts. As the year and the holiday season draw to a close, we celebrate our favorite books of the year: inspirational reads that provide hope and take us one step closer to our goal of educated awareness and acceptance for all.
Sheila Hamilton, All the Things We Never Knew
Radio host, journalist, and mental health advocate Sheila Hamilton published her memoir back in October detailing her husband’s rapid onset of bipolar disorder, which tragically ended in his death. Sheila pays homage to their loving relationship, and in baring the rawest, most poignant moments of her family’s attempts to cope, she weaves a beautiful and complex portrait of mental illness. This inspiring book has been called a love story and is essential for anyone looking to understand and to heal.
Patrick Kennedy, A Common Struggle
A former congressman, the youngest son of the late Senator Ted Kennedy, and an avid advocate for mental health rights, Patrick Kennedy demonstrated tremendous courage when he released a memoir revealing his and his family’s history of brain health challenges. Although some members of his family publicly distanced themselves from the book, Patrick Kennedy held his resolve, recognizing that openly discussing this common struggle was important. Our fearless leader of the mental health advocacy movement realizes that no one is immune from these conditions, and in writing about the mental health challenges of one of the country’s most iconic families, Patrick Kennedy has set a valuable example for all Americans.
Bert and John Jacobs, Life Is Good: The Book
Optimism is everything, according to Bert and John Jacobs, the co-founders of the Life Is Good clothing brand. We had the privilege of hearing Bert speak at the Emotion Revolution Summit, and their family’s story of resilience and hope is one for us all to study. Reflecting on their journey to a $100 million dollar business that started off with only $78 to their names, the brothers share their insights into how to keep going when the going gets tough. The Jacobs brothers share the values we embody at Flawless — they reveal how gratitude, openness, and compassion can fuel any dream and help weather unpredictable and challenging periods in life. This book is a perfect inspirational guide for how to start the new year off right!
