Hey. I see you.

Under the covers or forcing yourself out into the world, pasting a smile on your face and wishing that for once you were normal for, like, five minutes. According to figures from the National Institute of Mental Health, 1 in 5 Americans lives with some form of mental health issue. In young people ages 18-25, that number rises to 1.7 in 5. That is a lot.

Let’s take a look at what some of our favorite authors’ positive quotes for mental health! You might laugh, you might cry, but you will definitely hit your “out-of-pocket max” on Quotables.

Positive Quotes for Mental Health Awareness:

1. “One must still have chaos in oneself to be able to give birth to a dancing star.” ― Friedrich Nietzsche

This master of the one-liner also said something about the abyss looking into YOU. Probably a super fun party guest.

Furiously Happy: A Funny Book about Horrible Things

by Jenny Lawson

2. “I hope to one day see a sea of people all wearing silver ribbons as a sign that they understand the secret battle, and as a celebration of the victories made each day as we individually pull ourselves up out of our foxholes to see our scars heal, and to remember what the sun looks like.” ― Jenny Lawson, Furiously Happy: A Funny Book about Horrible Things

I rarely actually LOL while I’m reading but I’ve never made it all the way through a Jenny Lawson book without an IRL LOL.

3. “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”― Martin Luther King, Jr.

We all have private and public struggles. How do you start your journey back to mental health after a challenging or low period? Through artistic expression?

4. “The manic phase of bipolar disorder can bring a flight of ideas and original thought that produces outstanding creative works. Although the bold, frantic, uninhibited side of the illness might produce art that seems too left of center, too reckless in its conception, the foundation is there for a genius creation, but it might need to be refined to truly be an amazing work of art.” ― Kevin Jokipii, The Timeless Relationship

Wishful Drinking

by Carrie Fisher

This queen ALSO played our favorite princess and used her platform to try and normalize and reduce the stigma around mental illness.

5. “At times, being bipolar can be an all-consuming challenge, requiring a lot of stamina and even more courage, so if you’re living with this illness and functioning at all, it’s something to be proud of, not ashamed of. They should issue medals along with the steady stream of medication.” ― Carrie Fisher, Wishful Drinking

6. “There is hope, even when your brain tells you there isn’t.” ― John Green, Turtles All the Way Down

This beloved YA author has struggled with obsessive compulsive disorder and severe anxiety for as long as he can remember.

7. “There are a lot of things you can do with film, but you don’t have unlimited access to your audience. In other words, keep it simple. You tell the story; you don’t look for the camera technician to tell the story for you. When you see a filmmaker getting too fancy, you can bet he’s worried either about his story or about his ability to tell it.” – Walter Dean Myers, Monster

Books, poems, movies, songs, dance…any creative expression can be served or stifled by mental illness.

8. “To be ill adjusted to a deranged world is not a breakdown.” ― Jeanette Winterson

Preach. 🙌

Drink your water. Go outside. Wash your face, take your meds. Then indulge yourself in some reading therapy. And remember…if you struggle with your mental health, you are in great company.

If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or a crisis, please reach out immediately to the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 or text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741. These services are free and confidential.

Next up: Self-Care Tips for the Hardworking Women!