So, I have been hinting at this event for the past week or so, but I have been freaking out about it for months. I had this idea back in the winter, but I pondered it for a long time, as you do. Then I decided to enlist the help of some really fabulous blogging friends. Enter Kayla @ The Thousand Lives and Inge @ Bookshelf Reflections!
I know, I have still told you nothing. Well. I am stalling, okay? That is a completely legitimate nervous tactic. 
Speaking of… that’s kind of the point of this whole event! (Fine, it wasn’t the world’s best segue, but it’s all I’ve got.) This event, you ask? Well, it is going to be all about mental health in YA books, and really, books in general. There will be guest posts from authors, other bloggers, and posts from our own lives. We’ll be featuring books that have really spoken to us, and it’s basically going to be a big celebration of the amazing authors and books that are helping us start the dialogue about mental health. Games, fun stuff, giveaways, and of course more serious posts too! So I present to you…..
And where do you come in? Well, glad you asked! We are looking for anyone who’d like to share a story or personal experience, whether it be anonymously or openly, whether it be a full post or a quick questionnaire answer. Basically, every little bit helps! And we don’t just want to hear from people who do have experience with mental health issues, but anyone at all– issues or not! So, if you feel like it, we’d love for you to take the time to fill out this little form- I promise, it’s quick 🙂 I hope you’re looking forward to this as much as we are!
Omg, I’m so so excited for this. THIS SOUNDS SPECTACULAR AND I CAN’T WAIT TO READ PEOPLE’S STORIES AND READ INTERVIEWS AND GET RECOMMENDATIONS AND AHHHH!!! Excited!! 😀
Aww thank you SO MUCH! Your enthusiasm makes me happy (and less scared, to be honest!) 😀
Fantastic idea! I’m looking forward to what you guys come up with. 🙂
Thanks so much 😀
Oh wow, this is THE MOST FABULOUS. I am so excited to read everyone’s stories (I might submit one if I can think of what to say? I’M NERVOUS TOO WHAT CAN YOU DO) and my TBR will grow exponentially I’m sure but really, I am SO EXCITED AND I WANT IT. Fabulous idea, Shannon!
Aw thank you SO MUCH!! Feel free to send along a story, or just follow along- your enthusiasm means SO MUCH, you have no idea how much I appreciate it! <3
I love this! Mental health is such an important topic and absolutely underrated. I actually have never read a single book portraying it accurately.
Aw thank you!! Wow, not one book?! That is really unfortunate, isn’t it? I agree, some I have read leave a lot to be desired (a LOT) but I have found a few that just blew me away! I am excited to share some of the stories about them with you!
This is a great idea! I appreciate that you’re taking the time to do this. Sorry I’m too chicken to join in. Is it wrong that I’m going to use this as a what not to read?
BWHAHA Molly, I love you! You aren’t chicken! It’s totally fair to not be comfortable, and it’s kind of FOR people who aren’t- hoping that hearing about other people’s journeys can somehow help them too. And hey, if you have triggers, you have triggers! There is absolutely nothing to feel bad about 🙂
What a cool idea!! I plan on starting Finding Audrey soon, so maybe I’ll hold off until your event 🙂 I absolutely adored Made You Up! I used to stray away from mental illness, but I’m becoming more adventurous in my bookish tastes and preferences. I love the concept, girls <3
Made You Up is glorious! I will be featuring it, and Francesca, which I am so excited about! ANd I haven’t personally read Finding Audrey, but I think Inge will be featuring it, so check out what she has to say (I will be doing the same) 😀 Thanks so, so much!!
Thank you so much for taking the courage to dive into this topic. A lot of people veer away from MH and I appreciate you guys doing this. Can’t wait for the event to start <3
Thank you SO MUCH, and thank you for being a part of it- I seriously cannot WAIT to share your story <3 <3 <3
Wow this sounds really amazing and really important. Great idea – can’t wait for the it!
Aw thank you so, SO much 😀
*confetti* I’m so glad this is out in the open now! Can’t wait to see the responses we get 😀 Also, I didn’t get a chance to email you back but that banner is PERFECTION <3
Dude, ME TOO! I should really add it to my sidebar. Or something? What did you do? Off to see your blog!
And THANKS! Ask Amber and Holly- they analyzed it for about an hour before I sent it to you, so they’re the real heroes of the banner- I cannot center things for the life of me! 😉
Yay for your event! I’m so excited for you guys and I CANNOT WAIT to see what y’all have come up with for it! I will be filling out the survey later but I just wanted to comment and say how glad I am that you guys are doing an event about mental health. <333
Aw thank you SO MUCH! And thank you for all your help. This never would have even come to fruition without your support, Holly. I appreciate it more than you can imagine <3 <3
This is amazing! It will be great to read about other readers/bloggers’ stories. That shows me I’m not alone in this. I love this topic and it is a fantastic idea!
Thank you so, so much! That is exactly what we hope to show, so I really hope it is of value to you 😀
This is great, Shannon! There have been several really impressive releases lately dealing with MH issues and it’s about time. I’m looking forward to reading input from others and seeing what you and Inge and Kayla have in store. Kudos!
Thank you so, so much! I agree with you, there have been some great ones! I am so glad you are looking forward to it too, it means a lot to us 😀
I’m beyond excited for this ^_^ <3
ME TOO!!!! (And a little scared, but we can focus on the excitement 😉 )
I feel like everyone has at least some connection to mental health in one way or another, so I’m so glad to see that you three are brave and creative enough to put something like this together. Can’t wait to see what you come up with! ♥
Aw, thank you SO much <3 That is so sweet of you to say, and I am so glad you are excited about it too!
Wow, this sounds FANTASTIC!! Such a great idea! <3
Thank you so much 😀
This is FANTASTIC! I am so happy that you guys are hosting this! I’ll fill in the thing. Mental health is so important and I love reading books about it.
Thank you so, so much for the support! It means so much to us, and I am glad that it is a topic that is important for you too 😀
YES. YES. HERE IT IS IN THE FLESH
YAYYYYYS 😀
I’ve just saw Inge’s post and I’m so excited about this event. I cannot wait to see your posts and – even more exciting, maybe – get some recs for GOOD books about MHs because – let’s face it – we really need more of that.
Aw thank you SO much!! I agree with you completely- we really DO need more of that, I am excited to share some of our favorites 🙂
This is amazing! I’m super passionate about mental health (and training to be a psychologist, so there’s that) so it’s always super exciting to see people spreading awareness.
C.J.
Sarcasm & Lemons
This sounds like such an amazing event! I am so excited for it. I am really excited to get even more recommendations for books in YA that deal with mental illness.
I don’t know how I missed this! It is such an amazing event and considering I posted below yesterday something close to my heart, if I can help I’d be honoured!
I am really excited for this. I suffered from mental health issues since I was a little girl and I love seeing them bought to light in books. I couldn’t help but share my story (something that is hard for me to do). Thank you so much for hosting this! <3
nice of you to put this together