As a public health clinician, I have been acutely aware of the seemingly explosive growth of mental health issues in young adults. As a parent of two teens, this awareness comes with a painful sense of foreboding and dread. Yet, aside from documenting this epidemic, few lay media offer any suggestions beyond “get your teen to talk to you.”


In his newest book, Ben Champion seeks to meaningfully step into this void, offering solutions where most simply document the challenge. Through his authentic portrayal of his own depression and anxiety, Ben first and foremost validates that it is okay not to feel Instagram perfect everyday. He then offers a host of suggestions to struggling young folks on how to think strategically about how to move forward, to step beyond the pain and begin to heal.

Ben is not a formal therapist or a certified counselor. Rather, his words come from a place of lived understanding.He resonates because of his authenticity, because of his shared life experience, because of his practiced attempts to make his own life better, because of his acceptance of grace, and because of his passion to do something to help others who might be struggling as he has.

This book isn't the solution to your (or your teens) mental health challenges, but it is a beautiful validation of them and phenomenal first step to finding a better you. I look forward to sharing Ben's story with my own sons.