The Mental Health Manual is a book written by China McCartney, CEO and founder of Athletes Against Anxiety and Depression Foundation. China is devoted to breaking the stigma around mental health, particularly regarding athletes. After suffering in silence for 6 years with panic attacks, anxiety, and depression, he reached out for help. He is making a major difference in the athletic community by offering a helping hand to those in need and afraid to ask for help.
Athletes Against Anxiety and Depression is a nonprofit dedicated to providing resources to anyone that suffers from mental health. They offer resources such as free therapy, which is crucial but so hard to come by. What they are doing to help people struggling with mental health battles is truly meaningful and necessary.
After reading the Mental Health Manual, I felt energized and inspired. I am someone who struggles with anxiety, depression, and PTSD, so I was eager to get my hands on this book. The MHM is a fresh approach on how to deal with your symptoms in a way that works for you. Like modern medicine, where the same things don't always work for every person, mental health is no different. The MHM makes you feel accepted and understood by reminding you that you are not alone.
Related: 3 Mental Wellness Tips for Athletes
This book focuses on three major components when it comes to resources: the what, why, and how. What is the mental health resource, why the mental health resource can help, and how to implement the mental health resource. China covers topics such as how to identify and break bad habits, therapy resources, how to say no, how to ask for help, being ok with not being ok, and so much more.
I think the most unique thing about this book is the individualistic approach. China talks about the importance of recognizing what works for you and what doesn't. If it works for you, great, keep doing it. If it doesn't work for you, scrap it. There is nothing more frustrating when you're having a panic attack than someone telling you to take deep breaths or try journaling when those two things just do not work for you. Your journey is going to be unique to you, and during this journey you will find habits and rituals that will help you fight your battle, and the MHM is an amazing resource to help guide you through your journey.
* Originally published on December 13, 2021, by Madison Machado
