Rachael Davis - A Mind Like Mine: 21 famous people and their mental health

KEEP THE CONVERSATION GOING

This book looks at biographies of famous people from a diverse range of backgrounds and lots of big themes, which could leave you feeling emotional yourself. We encourage you to read this book with an open mind and talk to friends, family, and trusted adults about what youve learned and how it has made you feel.

I have a smile on my face as I write this note, because if youre reading this, it means YOU ARE ABOUT TO DISCOVER SOMETHING THAT TOOK ME DECADES TO FIND OUT. When I was growing up, no one really talked to me about mental health, and I didnt understand too much about it. As a young adult, I started experiencing periods of severe anxiety and depression.

When I was first diagnosed with mental health disorders, I felt lost and isolated, DESPITE THE SUPPORT OF FRIENDS AND FAMILY. I realized I had no role models who had openly discussed their mental health, so I started researching. To my surprise, I DISCOVERED THAT MANY OF THE GREATEST MINDS THROUGHOUT HISTORY HAD LIVED WITH MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS. I remember feeling a huge sense of relief, that it wasnt just me going through this, and that having a mental health condition did not need to stop me from fulfilling my dreams. It is what inspired me to write this book.

So, what are you about to learn that I wish Id known when I was younger? First and foremost, that WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER. Not everyone lives with a mental health disorder, but we all have mental health, and it shouldnt be a secret! TALKING OPENLY ABOUT OUR EMOTIONAL EXPERIENCES HELPS US ALL TO BETTER UNDERSTAND OURSELVES AND EACH OTHER. Its important to use appropriate language when talking about mental health and differentiate stigma from the truth. This book is proof that not only has our medical understanding and treatments for mental health disorders improved dramatically over the centuries, but also so has our empathy for one another. In every corner of greatness, from groundbreaking scientists to sporting legends and musicians, people living with mental health disorders have excelled in their passions and shown that ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE WHEN YOU PUT YOUR MIND TO IT.

Rachael x

When my son began showing symptoms of anxiety and depression at a young age, I FELT COMPLETELY OVERWHELMED. The deafening silence around childrens mental health at that time meant IT FELT IMPOSSIBLE TO FIND THE HELP AND RESOURCES WE NEEDED. My son was ten years old when he was hospitalized and diagnosed with bipolar disorder and I was desperate to support his recovery. I wanted him to know that HE WAS NOT ALONE. While I was comforted to learn that mental health disorders are common, treatable, and can often begin early in life, I was astounded I had been completely in the dark about this before my sons diagnosis.

As I learned more about mental health disorders and how society may affect why we dont access treatment earlier, it became my mission to change the narrative around mental health and improve mental health literacy. NO FAMILY SHOULD HAVE TO NAVIGATE CARING FOR THEIR CHILDRENS MENTAL HEALTH WITHOUT SUPPORT. In 2016, I founded The Youth Mental Health Project, in the USA. This is a nonprofit organization that seeks to educate, support, and empower families and communities to better understand and care for the mental health of young people.

I am so proud that The Youth Mental Health Project is endorsing this illuminating book and cannot thank the author enough for writing it! Rachael brilliantly weaves together the true stories of famous people who have lived with various mental health disorders with easy-to-follow explanations of common mental health conditions. A Mind Like Mine is the perfect book for those who want to learn more while being inspired by people who have ACHIEVED GREATNESS WHILE LIVING WITH MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS.

Randi Silverman

Founder of The Youth Mental Health Project

(14751564)

Born in 15th-century Caprese in Italy, Michelangelo is one of the greatest artists who has ever lived. Michelangelo became so famous for his sculptures and frescoes that two biographies of him were written while he was still alive. It is from these accounts, alongside his letters, that we can discover more about his temperament, behavior, and health.

Becoming an artist was looked down upon for a man in a noble family like Michelangelos. Nevertheless, when Michelangelo was 14 he pursued his passion for his art and became an artist apprentice in Florence. Afterwards, he traveled to Bologna and then Rome where he completed his famous sculpture Piet in 1496. Five years later, his status as a major artist was established when he was commissioned to sculpt David for the cathedral of Florence. After it was finished, he traveled to Rome at the request of Pope Julius II, and created his iconic frescoes on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican. But despite his enviable success as an artist, Michelangelos letters reveal that through these years he often felt unhappy.

Michelangelo experienced periods of melancholy (a pensive sadness and gloomy state of mind) throughout his life. His first biographers both highlight that he had difficulties sleeping and often lost his appetite. This has led some people to believe that Michelangelo likely lived with depression. He has also been described by some as a perfectionist with a temper who became obsessed with his work and often wanted to be alone. Michelangelos obsessive nature has led some people to assume that he lived with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). However, retrospective diagnoses are notoriously difficult. Some scholars have explained that Michelangelos intense focus (or obsession) on his artistic projects more closely resembles traits of autism, rather than an obsessive compulsion that would be more consistent with OCD. Back in the 16th century, conditions such as clinical depression, OCD, and autism were not yet known and so there are no definitive records to confirm Michelangelos suspected conditions.

Our understanding of mental health disorders and neurodiversity has improved dramatically since the days of Michelangelo, as have the medical and social support available. In a letter in 1524, Michelangelo spoke about how he was treated by those around him: YET BECAUSE THEY SAY THEY FIND ME IN SOME WAY STRANGE AND OBSESSED, WHICH HARMS NO ONE BUT MYSELF, THEY PRESUME TO SPEAK ILL OF ME AND TO ABUSE ME.

In the later years of Michelangelos life, his artistic endeavors focussed more heavily on poetry and architectural projects such as the church of St Peter. Today, people continue to travel from all over the world to marvel at Michelangelos artistic accomplishments.