I just finished reading Reasons to Stay Alive by Matt Haig. I must say, I quickly went through this one.
Matt is very articulate. The writing is very raw and real. Plus, the writing style is very accessible (far from all the medical terminology and psycho babble that go over most people's heads). I loved the short paragraphs that made te book a real page turner.
At times, it even gets under your skin and make you actually LIVE depression.

I must say though: I am a very biased reader, and the topic is very much dear to my heart. In fact, I was actually scared of being triggered as I read Haig's account of his journey. Fortunately, besides a few tears I unwillingly shed here and there, I safely got to shore.
Now, on another note: even though I kept nodding in approval across the book, the latter did fail to actually dig as deep as I wanted it to.
My point is that, Reasons to Stay Alive is an excellent thought provoker/ conversation starter, whose sole purpose is to generate talk about mental health. It doesn't go much beyond that and I got less out of than I had hoped.
Don't get me wrong, each experience is valid and worth sharing. The author did it brilliantly with an unwavering honesty. The book is nevertheless more suitable for those who are starting to dabble in the issue.
In my personal opinion, someone who isn't living IT would benefit way more than someone with depression or anxiety disorder.

That being said, this book is a must read to all of the cynics out there. To all the care givers to someone with a mental disorder. To all the curious souls seeking understanding. To all those who think being depressed is being a bit sad. To all those who think anxiety is in one's head. To all those who tell sufferers to suck it up and be "happy". To all those who think depression is but dark days and sobbing messes.. To all the Humans.

I wish I could give this book as a gift to people around me who still can't get the hang of how depression works. As someone with bipolar disorder I found a lot of things I related to. At least when it comes to half of my mental illness. The book is so easy to read, no complicated medical terms, it's not a cold book full of scientific facts, instead the facts are scattered inside a heartwarming story. A brilliant book that was tainted for me because of the last optimistic part and since I'm in a dark phase and have a high aversion for hope, it felt like it was oppressing me to be optimistic. But in happier days this would have been perfect.