#mental health fiction

[oliverferrie]

ARC READERS WANTED

Hey folks, I'm looking for advance readers for my novel SUGAR PEOPLE, which is releasing on April 4th. The ARC campaign is running until the end of April, so if you're interested in dark time-bending fiction with a gay protagonist, sign up to be an advance reader here! It's super appreciated if you write a review, but it's not an obligation.

More details on the book: https://www.gallant.no/books/sugar-people/

[gallantindie]

✨️Cover reveal for SUGAR PEOPLE by Oliver Ferrie✨️

Thanks to @shea-parfait for the HEAVENLY artwork!

The book releases on April 4th 🎊

(the blurb reads: Kestrel has a lot to be worried about.

His best friend Tala has been struck by a severe mental illness, attempting suicide over the winter break. She has developed an obsession with making little sculptures she will not let anyone touch.

Meanwhile, Kestrel is struggling at university. His artwork has his teachers concerned, and he can’t explain any of it. But it’s not just him — all his friends are feeling strange this term, although none of them can place why.

After a chance meeting with the university’s charismatic religious counsellor, Daran Bailey, Kestrel becomes drawn back in to a world he had once left behind. As the term marches on, his dreams grow more uncomfortable, and he feels like he’s going crazy, until at long last, Tala lets Kestrel in on her secret…

This book contains depictions of abuse. Read at your own discretion. Treat yourself kindly.)

[yukicarlsson]

How an Author Interview Turned into a Photo-Challenge

[animentality]

[tea-cub]

The Bridge - Part 1/2

I would like to share with you - after belatedly realising nearly two weeks after the fact that I have a Tumblr as well as a Twitter - a new(ish) project. May I present to you all the first part of The Bridge - an original, LGBTQIA+, m/m story about mental health and holding on. 

You can find it on my Kofi where I am known as Manage-Maiden; it’s my first time doing anything like this and any support would be lovely. 

                                                  The Bridge

                                           An LGBT+ Romance

                                           By Manage-Maiden

                                                   Rated T

                                                   Part 1/2

              Warnings for: Mentions of depression and suicidal thoughts.

https://ko-fi.com/post/The-Bridge--Part-One-of-Two-Z8Z6MW2IX

[creelson]

Choosing to stay alive and not kill myself because I still have Archive of Our Own to read and post on. I’m not even joking

[reneesghostinthelivingroom]

Imperfections and All

|| Jinx x fem!reader

|| Warnings; Jinx having a breakdown, crying, hearing voices, seeing people that aren't there, brief season two/end of season one spoilers, reader comforting Jinx

|| Summary; when reader finds Jinx, Jinx isn't fully there.

Requests closed!

Started; December 1st

Finished; December 1st

HurtCember2024; Day 2, Breakdown

~~~

A familiar cold laughter filled the air. You'd walked into your girlfriend's workshop, taking light steps over the metal surface. Walking through here always made you nervous; there were no railings. So you made sure to tread carefully.

"Jinx?" You called. The laughter didn't seem to stop. It continued until you found her. Curled up in a ball under her workbench. Eyes wide, head in her hands. Gripping at her hair while muttering nonsense to herself. You hated seeing her like this. It pained you knowing the girl you loved went through everything that she did. Jinx didn't deserve it. Nobody deserved this.

Her eyes snapped to you. You weren't sure if she was even seeing you. That happened, sometimes. Jinx would look at you and say another name. Sometimes Vi, Claggor, Mylo, even Vander and Caitlyn. Lately Silco. It was always another name when she was like this. But never yours. That had to be a good sign, right? Your voice wasn't tormenting her. "What're you looking at, Mylo? You happy? Turned into the Jinx you always thought I was." Jinx's words came out as a spit. Making you frown.

Slowly, carefully. You moved yourself under the workbench. Settling down beside her. Your skin brushing against each other. "It's me, Jinx." You assured her. Hesitant at first, but slowly your hand moved to her knee. Cupping it in an attempt to ground her. It didn't. Jinx flinched away from you, eyes wide. She hid her face in her hands again. Continued mutters, a lot of 'shut ups'. Never directed at you. Never you.

"Hey..." You reached out again. Gently taking her hands from her face and bringing her into your arms. Jinx tried to fight it. But caved and sobbed into you. Maybe she realized through her breakdown that it was you holding her. Or she was just desperate for comfort. You weren't sure. It could be either or something else entirely with her. You held her regardless. Whispering soft phrases of comfort. Trying to ease her back to you.

You weren't sure how much time had passed before you faintly heard what sounded like Jinx muttering your name. You looked to her and she lifted her head up. Eyes red from the tears that had fallen. They were softer, though. Nothing like the look Jinx had when you first found her. "How long have you..."

"Not sure," you admitted. Knowing she was asking how long you'd been there; wondering how much you had seen of her breakdown. Jinx sighed and slumped against you. Tired out from it all. Eyes half lidded. Your hands found hers, keeping them in your lap. Gently tracing her knuckles to soothe her.

"Why do you stay..?" Jinx asked after a long moment of silence. You didn't have to think about it. You knew exactly why. You loved her. Regardless of her faults. Jinx was yours; you would help her through hell if you had to. It didn't matter to you. As long as you got her.

"Because I love you. Imperfections and all."

Jinx's eyes searched yours. Looking for any sign of a lie. The slightest bit of hesitation. Anything to convince herself you weren't being truthful. But when she found none, her shoulders eased. Reminding herself you weren't like the others. You weren't her sister. You weren't Mylo, Clagger, Vander, Caitlyn. Or even Silco. You were you. Always there. Reminding her how much you loved her, no matter how insane she got. How out of place she felt. It never mattered to you. All that you wanted was her. Your loyalty was one of the things Jinx clung to. If she lost you...

The atmosphere was calmer now as Jinx's eyes met yours. The faint smile on your lips bringing her back to reality with you. "There you are," you murmured. Hand cupping Jinx's cheek. Feeling when she leaned into your touch. Jinx's arms wrapped themselves around you. Her legs clinging around your waist. Looking a lot like you had a koala attached to your front. Her face buried into your neck. You let the girl get comfortable. Knowing it was what she needed now more than ever," I've got you. I always will," your head came down and your cheek pressed to the top of Jinx's head. Your own arms latching around her. Trying to get impossibly closer.

"I love you, too," you could faintly hear Jinx's voice. Quite a bit quieter than how she normally spoke with you. The bubbly, energetic version of herself buried deep within. But her words were genuine nonetheless. You smiled and kissed the side of her head. Understanding that she just needed sometime to find herself again. A search you would gladly be the guide for.

[cryptonature]

It's finally time! I've been excited to post about this FOREVER. Here is the cover for my new memoir about loving nature and struggling with depression. I'm very proud of this book and I adore this cover.

Artist: Tuesday Riddell

(Visit the link in my bio for more info.)

[allthingswhumpyandangsty]

literally just saw another “call out” post in my fandom, “this person ships these characters together, they support fucked up things in fiction. moots, unfollow them, they’re disgusting for liking these fictional things 🤢” can we please just. not do this? especially with all that’s going on in the world recently, can we please not try to take away people’s source of comfort? who cares what fictional things a person enjoys? they’re ✨fiction✨. they’re ✨not real✨. you don’t know what battle a person is going through outside of social media. you don’t know if fandom is literally the last source of happiness they have left. you don’t know if fandom is the only thing keeping them alive right now.

ask yourself, is it really worth it? you claim to be “morally superior” by “exposing” people who find comfort in fictional things you deem morally unacceptable. but is it really worth it if your words drove a person into harming themself?

are you really being morally superior by being the reason someone hurts themself?

these characters are fiction. but the person you’re harassing in the name of being morally superior is a real person with real feelings.

if you find something that you don’t like, instead of going out of your way to harass someone, scroll past it, ignore it, mute it, block it. and focus on the things you do enjoy.

with everything that’s going on in the world right now, now is the time we need to keep fandoms safe. they’re the last source of happiness some people have left.

[pressplay-if]

To think I was worried about this IF ending up too short for anyone to be interested.

The hospital section in this Chapter alone is only getting longer and longer. I keep thinking of new important details and little extra scenes to add just to complete the psych ward experience (TM).

Some interesting details about Zima and MC's past mental state below cut (might be important):

Zima has now had their first interview section, mainly determining the details of the nature of their past involvement with MC. There's a total of four options. If you enjoyed the choice of Stevie having a crush on MC, you're gonna love this.

MC can be hospitalized due to either depression or social anxiety, as these are the only conditions that I feel wholly comfortable writing. I considered also offering a combination of the two, but ultimately decided against it, as the MC's oast mental illness will eventually influence the future of the story and I want those paths to be very distinct and different.

Please mind that, while everyone who suffers from mental illness of any kind has their own totally subjective and individual experience with it, I'm writing social phobic and depressive MCs with certain "set" symptoms. Here are some set elements:

Social phobia MCs experience physical symptoms and selective mutism. They are nervous and quiet, so all their interactions, especially in the beginning of their hospitalization (even when picking the antagonistic options) will reflect that. So if you're wondering why MC seems to be acting meek or "submissive", it's bc of their affliction not allowing them to be as outspoken as they might like to be. Social phobia MCs have a general exhaustion of life, given they live in constant stress, but they do not self-harm. They are prone to sleep disturbances.

Depressive MCs experience listlessness, irritation (which can makes them more prone to acting aggressively), feelings of self-loathing and dissatisfaction. They have a heightened need for sleep and will report not wanting to get out of bed. They can, in fact, choose to be currently practicing self-harm, or to have done so in the past. However, even if they choose to have never self-harmed, they will report thoughts of suicide.

Either MC will be medicated during their time in the clinic. It's a small text section and a slight bit vague as my medical knowledge, despite my research efforts, is limited. The MC will get to choose how to feel about the drugs and the potential side effects, though.

Either MC will be able to additionally describe symptoms indicating neurodivergence.

Either MC can choose to be underage smoking, drinking or both during this time. Or neither, of course.

So thanks for reading all that! Small disclaimer: I know very well that the depression and social phobia symptoms I chose to write about are NOT universally representative. This all might sound like the routes are very set, but there's actually a ton of customization going on in this chapter, so don't you worry! (Also it's gonna be rly important for the future of the band)

[thepenumbrapodcast]

This week has been so difficult for many of us, especially our American LGBTQIA+ listeners. But you are not alone. Here are some resources for those who might need someone to talk to, guidance, or a safe space. Take care of yourselves and each other, and know that we're with you.

[panic-flavored]

Look I don't want spoilers for Sonic 3 but I DO want spoilers for stobotnik do you understand me

I'm seeing it on the 20th and I just need someone to tell me beforehand whether or not those old men stay together at the end for the sake of my mental health

Can someone just give me a spoiler-free heads up on stobotnik's status at the end of the movie because I am NOT WELL

[gallantindie]

the time is almost upon us...

Links page | More Info

[the-bar-sinister]

reminding myself yet again that it's okay, normal and good to take breaks from your creative pursuits.

Its okay, normal and good to rest and recharge without needing to be constantly creating something.

You are not disappointing people by not constantly creating. And if there are people who are disappointed then that's their problem for having unrealistic expectations and entitlement.

You are not duty-bound or honor-bound to create until you literally break.

[sabh0]

Little rant and probably a controversial opinion, please don't burn me at the stake for that If i asked you to guess how many dazai anon accounts have i blocked here till now, what number would u think of? Bc i just checked - i currently have 9 of their accounts blocked. 2 from this week alone. And it's not like i go around hunting for them. I just randomly open tumblr to check what silly things did ppl say about my art, and then i see 50 different reblogs, comments or asks from dazai anon alone, being no longer only mean to Chuuya or skk, but bashing my art or telling me to off myself!!! Yay!! And u know, it wasn't a problem in the beginning. The stuff they write is comedic with how stupid it is. I could also interact with em smh (ngl, they left me for a good while after i drew them and chuuya making out that one time). And as i said, before they didn't attack me personally. But then i started getting comments that i shouldn't interact with dazai anon bc something something they're mentally unstable? Like im sorry, but how is this my problem. They come to me and regularly tell me to hurt myself, but i can't even reply to them bc "sab, it's no use, they're sick smth smth smth, just block them"?? Like bruh aight, it's just that sitting silently actually starts to affect me. Bc no matter how many accounts i block, they come back with a new one the moment they realize they're blocked. And the whole carousel of "block, dont interact" starts again. I just think it's not really alright to tell ppl that they can't in any way stand up for themselves? Why do i have to care about personal wellbeing or a sad backstory of someone who doesn't respect mine? Why should i even know about their problems? They're a complete stranger to me and i don't really go around reading random people's biographies on the internet. Like aughhh it's seriously starting to annoy me now,,,, i'm not saying ppl ACCEPT what dazai anon does, but using the excuse that they're not okay mentally just doesn't sit right with me, idk. Mental health problems should never be an excuse for hurting others, imo.

[haveateadude]

hi em!! if you're comfortable could you maybe write reader relapsing and ellie just comforting her, maybe helping bandage her arms or something? obviously no pressure ,, thank you if you do write it 💗💗

a shoulder to cry on

summary *. ⋆ ⋆·˚ relapses happen... ellie's there to hold you anyway

warnings *. ⋆ ⋆·˚ a somewhat explicit self-harm description?? i tried to keep it as vague as possible but it's definitely there and it's mentioned once

author notes *. ⋆ ⋆·˚ to whoever who sent the request thank you sm for sending it,, i hope you're doing alright. wishing you the best :)) anyway, love youu. oh and also i hope you like this!!

quick disclaimer - i'm not trying to romanticize self-harm or any other mental disorder. having a shitty mental health it's not pretty or enjoyable, it sucks and it's shitty, it ruins lives. don't wish it upon yourself or others and reach out if you need help.

As soon as Ellie steps into the bathroom, you regret calling her.

No one has ever seen you this sad—this depressed, this… vulnerable. It makes you feel dirty, as if you've done something wrong, like Ellie is trampling all over your boundaries and shredding them to pieces when all she's done is look you in the eyes.

Her reaction seems to be in slow motion, at least that's what you think. She doesn't need to change her facial expression; her eyes say everything. You can't tell if it's disappointment, worry, or something else. You're too anxious to think.

In a blink, she's kneeling in front of you, her hands on your knees while you sit on the cold bathroom floor with your back pressed against the wall. Your arms are wrapped around yourself as you avoid her gaze.

"Baby…" Ellie says gently. "Can I see your arms, please?"

You want to say no, but you don't give any sign of refusal, and you don't fight her when she reaches out to touch you. Her hands are cold against your skin. She stays quiet for a moment, looking at your arm, her thumb making absent minded small circles near where it's injured. She gives you a pained look when she sees your shirt, stained with crimson red liquid.

"Wait for me, okay? I'll be back in a second," she says after pressing a kiss on your forehead.

She leaves you alone in the bathroom, so you stand up to look at yourself in the mirror. Sometimes, when you relapse, it's like you don't even recognize yourself—it's like the person in front doesn't look anything like you. It's a face you can't remember, yet it still is yours. It makes you feel guilty.

When Ellie comes back with the first aid kit—the one you always keep in the kitchen—and a new, loose shirt, she doesn't ask why you're standing now. Instead, she tells you to sit on the countertop, right next to the sink. After making sure the blood is already dried, she helps you put on the shirt she brought.

"I'm sorry," you say first, looking at Ellie. You've been avoiding her gaze this whole time, but now you feel like she's ignoring yours as she looks for the things she needs from the kit. "I know you're worried."

She shakes her head as she, very gently, starts wiping the remaining blood on your arm with a cotton towel from the first aid kit. "It's okay, I promise."

You bite your lip. One part of you thinks she's mad, and the other part tells you she's just scared. She must be, you think. Or else she would've probably left by now.

"This'll probably sting, yeah?" she says, looking into your eyes before disinfecting the wounds.

"Okay," you nod.

It does hurt, and every time you hiss in pain, Ellie is there to kiss your cheek.

"You're doing a great job," she says as she starts wrapping your arms with bandages. "I'm almost done."

You sniffle when she finishes with a kiss on top of the bandages.

It's not that you're embarrassed to cry, but Ellie has seen enough for today. She looks up at you, her green eyes searching for any sign of emotion on your face. And she finds it. Of course. You try blinking the tears away, but it doesn't help. You cover your face with both hands as you start crying.

"Hey, don't hide from me, baby," Ellie speaks softly, taking your hands away from your face to hold your cheeks, her thumbs wiping away the tears that fall. She kisses your lips. "It's gonna be okay."

She hugs you, wrapping her arms around you, one arm on your torso and the other caressing your hair as you start to sob. All the emotions you've been holding in suddenly let loose.

"Let it out," she tells you. "It's okay, it's okay…"

"I'm sorry," you say between ragged breaths. "I didn't—I didn't mean to…"

"Shh, I know… I know you didn't."

She holds you close, whispering sweet nothings in your ear, even after you've stopped crying. You're now only hiccuping as she pulls away, her forehead against yours, holding your hands in hers.

"Sorry for calling you," you suddenly say, biting your lip.

She shakes her head instantly, her thumb brushing your bottom lip, gently pulling it away from your teeth. "Don't be sorry. I'm not mad or anything—I'm just glad you reached out. If anything, I was a little scared."

"Still, I just—I didn't mean to worry you."

"I know you don't like that I worry, and I know you never like people seeing you this… vulnerable. But I'm your girlfriend; I want to be there for you always, and I worry about you every time you're hurt. We'll talk about the self-harm issue later, okay? Right now, I just want you to know you can talk to me whenever. I'll always be here for you." She looks down. "I don't think you realize how much you matter to me."

If you both hadn't been so close, you wouldn't have heard that last part. You're the one to initiate the hug now.

"I love you," you say. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

"I love you too," she replies. "And without me, you'd probably be fine. You're the strongest person I've known."

"Oh, shut up." You laugh. "Since when are you so cheesy?"