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Celebrating Positive Mental Health
Alex Freeman - Exclusive Behind the Scenes
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By Lydia Sunderman January 1st 2021 7:54 am CET
n this month's latest issue, Voice magazine interviewed the elite bestselling author, Alex Freeman, on his latest book 'A Better Tomorrow'. Freeman shares his own personal battle with mental health and discusses a few noteworthy memories from his teenage years that readers can expect to find in the book. If you enjoy reading this article, make sure to
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What Inspired You To Write "A Better Tomorrow"?
The biggest inspiration I had to write my book was in the hope that it would reach out to people. I mainly use writing as a therapeutic tool, it helps me process any marking experiences in my life and ‘A Better Tomorrow’ was written purely for that purpose. I suffered with my mental health a lot in my teen years, such as depression and anxiety, and only until I reached my early twenties and I began seeking therapy and help, did I begin to process my problems healthily. Up to 50% of all teenagers and young adults suffer from depression or some type of mental health problem and I really wanted to connect with my readers and break the stigma around it.
What Are Some Note-Worthy Moments In Your Book?
I was determined for my book to be as light-hearted as possible. My aim was never to just describe what depression or anxiety feels like, as I am sure many of the readers may already know the feeling and have their own personal experiences with it. I instead wanted to direct the reader’s attention to a number of things. Mainly, that mental health should not be as taboo of a topic as it is. I wanted to raise awareness that it is quite common and can affect anyone. I briefly mentioned the first experience I had admitted to anyone that I had been suffering with what felt like heavy baggage on me for a couple of years. It was my Mum’s words “You’re too young to be depressed” that still ring in my head today because they reflect the lack of ignorance that most of society places towards mental health awareness. I wanted readers to feel validated, you are not too young. Depression is not prejudice to race, gender, or age. I included many facts and statistics in the book to better educate people, my book isn’t just for those who have suffered from a mental health problem, but to raise awareness worldwide.
Why Do You Think Your Book Has Been Such A Success?
I think partially because of the raw perspective I brought. I shared the cinematic experience of my journey to slowly regaining my self-identity. For the longest time, I felt numb. Depression can feel like a cloudy fog but once I started to address it face on, took time for myself to heal, the positive effects were slow but noticeably growing. I described how nature walks really helped me with training my mind to relax, which helped with my anxiety. Along with meditation and therapy, I slowly but surely regained myself and I think my readers enjoyed my story as they could either relate or enjoyed joining me on the journey, metaphorically speaking. The photoshoot with VOICE is actually where I took my nature walks, it was a very symbolic place for me.
I would also like to mention, I am by no means telling readers that meditation and walks will solve depression or anxiety. They both come in many forms due to various causes. Also, I feel that it is necessary to share with my audience that depression doesn’t necessarily derive from a traumatic incident. It can develop without your knowledge. Everyone’s journey is unique, and I think that is why so many people enjoyed mine, I was as honest as possible. That’s the best way to heal.
What Is The Big Message You Want Readers To Take Away From ‘A Better Tomorrow’?
As ironic as this sounds, that there is always a better tomorrow ahead! In my book, I highlight truly just how hopeless and suffocated I felt in the worst of times and yet, after a lot of work, a better tomorrow arrived. I keep referencing my story as a ‘journey’ because it truly is, a never ending one but packed with various ups and downs. I’m not perfect, no-one is, I still have bad days but overall, I have made huge leaps. I take more joy now in life, work, and relationships, it feels like a fresh start. All in all, I want readers to remember that there is light at the end of the tunnel, and you are not alone.
