Michelle Williams - Checking in: How Getting Real about Depression Saved My Life-And Can Save Yours

I spent years with Michelle Williams when she was a member of Destinys Child and in the years since. I never knew that she was suffering with depression. It shows how deceptive depression can be! I am proud of her for writing about it. I could not put this book down, because it was so informative in dispelling many of the myths and stereotypes that stop us from seeking the help and support that we need. Michelle has written from the heart, with great humor and love. The chapters are interwoven with her unabashed honesty and some entertaining stories about her journey, and the crash that changed her life. A must-read.

TINA KNOWLES LAWSON, COFOUNDER OF WACO
THEATER CENTER, AUTHOR, AND PHILANTHROPIST

Tenitra Michelle is doing Gods work by simply telling her story. She is inspiring millions of people to not only do the work on themselves but also teaching us how to show up for others. As a person who has lost friends to suicide, there is nothing worse than asking yourself over and over Why didnt I check in more? Oftentimes the person who needs to be checked on is closed off and this book is giving us the tools to keep compassionately checking in.

LENARD CHARLAMAGNE THA GOD MCKELVEY,
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR, MULTIMEDIA MOGUL,
AND FOUNDER OF THE MENTAL WEALTH ALLIANCE

Michelle Williams is unlike anyone else I know. Shes completely real and tells it like it is, all while making you laugh. Her book, Checking In, is a lifeline to anyone struggling with anxiety or depression.

BOB GOFF, NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR
OF LOVE DOES AND EVERYBODY, ALWAYS

In my many years practicing psychiatry, Ive come to realize that depression can affect anyone at any time, and when it does, they seek understanding and advice for getting through it and finding joy again. Michelle Williamss Checking In cuts through the stigma around mental health and shows readers that its okay to ask for help. Inviting readers to honestly face their pain by checking in with God, themselves, and others, Michelle is courageous and shows readers that they, too, can begin to walk in freedom.

DANIEL AMEN, MD, FOUNDER AND CEO OF AMEN CLINICS

As someone who has struggled with severe depression, trauma, and anxiety, I am so grateful for the candid way Michelle talks about her battle with depression. With raw vulnerability, Michelle courageously meets readers right in their own pain and lets them know that theyre not alone. Checking In is a beautiful reada gentle, funny, and practical guide for anyone who is ready to embrace the journey toward wholeness.

TANA AMEN, VICE PRESIDENT OF AMEN CLINICS
AND NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR

A wonderful testament to the resilience of the human mind, and to how powerful hope and love can be.

DR. CAROLINE LEAF, NEUROSCIENTIST AND
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR

Michelle Williams is one of the bravest, strongest women I know. She has fought through very public struggles and dark, hidden days of depression. And now, in Checking In, shes putting it all out there for everyone to see. Her story is powerful and relatable, and she wants you to know that you are not alone. Healing is possible. And shes here to walk through it with you.

SARAH JAKES ROBERTS, FOUNDER OF WOMAN EVOLVE, COPASTOR
OF THE POTTERS HOUSE, AND AUTHOR OF WOMAN EVOLVE

Checking In

2021 by Michelle Williams

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Published in Nashville, Tennessee, by Nelson Books, an imprint of Thomas Nelson. Nelson Books and Thomas Nelson are registered trademarks of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc.

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Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.Zondervan.com. The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.

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ISBN 978-1-4002-2334-3 (eBook)

ISBN 978-1-4002-2333-6 (HC)

ISBN 978-1-4002-3065-5 (ITPE)

ISBN 978-1-4002-3094-5 (Signed)

ISBN 978-0-3101-3056-7 (Custom)

Epub Edition March 2021 9781400223343

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Williams, Michelle (Tenitra Michelle) author.

Title: Checking in : how getting real about depression saved my life-and can save yours / Michelle Williams.

Description: Nashville : Thomas Nelson, 2021. | Includes bibliographical references. | Summary: "Acclaimed musical artist Michelle Williams shares the intimate, never-before-told story of how, even in the midst of enormous fame and success, she battled depression, leading her to find her true calling as an advocate for mental health--especially her own"-- Provided by publisher.

Identifiers: LCCN 2020042612 (print) | LCCN 2020042613 (ebook) | ISBN 9781400223336 (hardcover) | ISBN 9781400223343 (epub)

Subjects: LCSH: WIlliams, Michelle, 1979- | Singers--United States--Biography. | Depressed persons--United States--Biography.

Classification: LCC ML420.W55205 A3 2021 (print) | LCC ML420.W55205 (ebook) | DDC 782.25/4092 [B]--dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020042612

LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020042613

Printed in the United States of America

2122232425LSC10987654321

Information about External Hyperlinks in this ebook

Please note that the endnotes in this ebook may contain hyperlinks to external websites as part of bibliographic citations. These hyperlinks have not been activated by the publisher, who cannot verify the accuracy of these links beyond the date of publication

Id love to dedicate this book to my father,

Dennis M. Williams III. I know where I get the strength and
will to always get up and fight. I got that from you, Dad. Even
though youre not with me on earth, the legacy you left me is!

Id also like to dedicate this book to those who are
willing to go through this journey of transformation.
Belief in yourself and God will be restored!