Behind Happy Faces: Taking Charge of Your Mental Health: A Guide for Young Adults

Mental health is important for everyone, but the truth is, sometimes it's hard to talk about it or admit you're having problems. You're afraid of being judged or worried no one will understand. And if you're like a lot of people, you put on a happy face and try to act like everything is OK, even when it isn't. It's OK not to be OK. School, family, relationships and lack of sleep take a toll on mental health. Many people are struggling with anxiety disorders, depression, bipolar disorder, addictions, eating disorders or other serious problems. You may not always know how to deal, who to tell or what you should do. You're not alone. Behind Happy Faces takes on the most common emotional concerns expressed by millions of young adults. You will learn:

• A vast overview of mental health challenges
• The reasons people hide their emotions and how to break them down
• How people of different genders, races, socioeconomic status and sexual orientation are impacted by mental health
• Steps you can take for yourself if you are experiencing a menta health disorder
• What you can do if a friend or family member is suffering
• How mental health issues impact relationships and what you can do to build healthy relationships
• Ways to get involved and discourage negative stereotypes

Ross Szabo and other people who have been impacted by mental health issues will inspire you with their stories of dealing with mental health disorders and facing challenges like breakups, divorced parents, losing a loved one or just figuring out how to express feelings. They learned how to take charge of their mental health and they share practical ways for you to do the same.

Our hope is that this book will give you the courage to address the issues that have kept you from living the life you want, the courage to stop pretending that everything is OK (even when it's not) and more importantly, to stop hiding your true emotions...behind a happy face.

Author: Ross E. Szabo
Publisher: Volt Press
Published: 08/28/2007
Pages: 263
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.70lbs
Size: 8.40h x 5.40w x 0.70d
ISBN: 9781566253055
Audience: Ages 9-12


Review Citation(s):
School Library Journal 05/01/2008 pg. 151

About the Author
Szabo, Ross E.: - Ross Szabo is a social innovator who pioneered the youth mental health movement. He is the Wellness Director at Geffen Academy at UCLA. Ross is also an award winning speaker, author and the CEO of Human Power Project, a company that designs mental health curriculum. Ross turned a diagnosis of bipolar disorder with anger control problems and psychotic features at age 16, into an opportunity to educate others. His natural ability to make mental health approachable for large groups of people has led to countless media appearances. Ross has spoken to more than 2 million people about the importance of mental health and provided a positive example to empower them to seek help. During his 8 years as Director of Outreach fir the National Mental Health Awareness Campaign, he created the first national youth mental health speakers' bureau in the country that is now a part of Active Minds. He has trained over 50 mental health advocates who have spoken to millions of people. Ross is the co-author of Behind Happy Faces; Taking Charge of Your Mental Health and a blogger for The Huffington Post. His tremendous efforts in the mental health field have led to him receiving the 2010 Didi Hirsch Removing the Stigma Leadership Award, 2012 Changing Minds Award and his advocacy work was entered into the Congressional Record by Congressman Patrick Kennedy. Human Power Project's first curriculum titled, Behind Happy Faces, is being utilized by over 200,000 students. The curriculum received the Excellence in Education Award from the Association of Fraternity and Sorority Advisors. It is used at numerous colleges including; Cornell University, M.I.T., the University of Pennsylvania, Duke University, Oregon State University and UC Irvine. Behind Happy Faces is also used at top private schools, public school districts and was featured at Lady Gaga's Born This Way Retreat.

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