My Story Isn't Over: The Story of How I Fell in Love with Life

By Emma Henry

The purpose of this book will not give you all the answers you are looking for. However, I share my story in order to show you that there is hope even in the darkest of moments. In this book I share my struggles with mental health, exams, university and how I got through the challenges that made me who I am today. I hope when you finish reading it you can take away something meaningful and learn to fall in love with life again just like I did.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse UK
• Release date: Feb 7, 2023
• ISBN: 9798823080460

Book preview

Contents

Section 1

My story

Chapter 1     Why I Chose to Write this Book

Chapter 2     Impact of Covid-19

Chapter 3     Anxiety, Depression, Stress and Panic Attacks

Chapter 4     Self-Harm and Suicidal Thoughts

Chapter 5     Acne

Chapter 6     Exams and University

Chapter 7     Therapy

Chapter 8     Dear Me

Section 2

Tips to help with mental health

Chapter 9     The Basics

Chapter 10   How to Support Someone with their Mental Health

Chapter 11   What is not useful

Chapter 12   What I found useful

Chapter 13   Coping with anxiety, depression and panic attacks

Chapter 14   Coping with self-harm

Chapter 15   Coping with exams and university

Chapter 16   Why self-care and mindfulness is important

Chapter 17   When to seek help

Section 3

Hope and Recovery

Chapter 18   why I chose recovery

Chapter 19   How I found hope and fell in love with life

Chapter 20   Living in the present moment

Chapter 21   Reasons to keep on living

Chapter 22   My hopes for the future

Conclusion

Add your own reasons to live

My coping techniques

Important contacts

Useful websites

TRIGGER WARNING

This book contains references to: anxiety, depression, panic attacks, self-harm and suicidal thoughts.

WHERE TO SEEK HELP

Speak to a close family member, friend, teacher, GP or

-Childline (for under 19s) - 0800 1111

-Samaritans - 116 123

-CALM (5pm-12pm) – 0800 585858

-Suicide prevention (6pm-3:30am) – 0800 689 5652

-Text SHOUT – 85258

-Hope line UK (Papyrus) – 0800 068 41 41

If you or someone else is in danger call 999

If you need help with your mental health call 111

To that one friend I feel safe telling

anything. Thank you so much.

Section 1

My story

Chapter 1

Why I Chose to Write this Book

Some may describe me as friendly, happy and honest; the true people who know me will probably describe me in the same way but with the additional knowledge of my struggles and how my life is not always full of sunshine and rainbows. Yes I may look like I cope but the truth is this is not reality. The truth is everyone can look like they have their life together but deep down lies secrets and struggles, some of which may choose to be hidden out of fear or stigmatisation.

Having both good and bad memories in my life means there is a lesson to be learnt from every event. My experiences made me who I am today and they took me on a journey towards better mental health. I hope this book guides you towards your unique journey. It’s up to you what you take away from my story, but I hope it can help even in the smallest of ways. I’m no scientist or psychologist, I am just sharing my experiences of life. I hope after you read this book you too find purpose in your life and strive to making everyday count.

In this book I aim to share with you my story by being as honest and open as I can. Sharing my story will not be easy for me but I hope I can touch the life of just one person. What I share in this book you may or may not know, just know that there are moments that I am not proud of, but I am working on making myself better. I wasn’t going to share my story out of the fear of being judged, however sharing my experience will hopefully let others know they you are not alone.

I also wanted to explain the importance of the semicolon, which is a very important symbol to me. The semicolon is a special mark because it represents a sentence that an author could have ended, but chose not to. It represents life and how we choose to carry on despite our struggles. For me the semicolon offers hope for the future.

I am writing this book because I wanted to show my passion for mental health awareness. If you are struggling please reach out to someone you trust.

As much as I would hate for you to be able to relate to my story, I hope that this book provides some sort of comfort and you understand that I too am a sufferer of mental illness.

As you read my story I want you to know that despite the happiness I share, I still continue to have low days, but my story isn’t over….

Just remember, you know my name not my story!

Chapter 2

Impact of Covid-19

Way back in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic most of us stayed at home and enjoyed spending time with our family. Some of us experienced exams being cancelled which you may or may not have been pleased with. For me I was happy to stay at home with my family and pets. I spent a lot of time reading, being outside and doing all the things I left due to GCSEs, even thought I didn’t sit them, I was extremely stressed because I didn’t know how to revise.

Being