Keep Swimming: Real life stories to help you face the waves of mental health

by Annaleise Easlea

Mental health affects everyone. One day you might be fine and the next, you might be struggling to stay afloat. So, when life gets a little too much and you need to find a way to keep your head above water, this book will be your lifebuoy. When you are struggling, you can flip to any page to help you find the strength within and 'Keep Swimming'. Keep Swimming is your safe place. You can turn to it to read real-life stories that will help you navigate the waves of mental health. Remember, it doesn't matter how fast you move. It doesn't even matter what direction you go. All that matters is that you just Keep Swimming.

212 pages, Hardcover

Published April 3, 2023

Reviews

[Caitlin Nichols · Rating 5 out of 5]

The timing could not have been more perfect for me to read this wonderful book. Within the first few pages I felt seen and not alone. It is not very often that I start and finish a book on the same day, but I felt compelled to keep reading as each page gave me more hope than I’ve felt in a long time. Thank you Annaleise for writing and piecing together such a beautiful book full of vulnerability and humanity. I know this book will touch the hearts and souls of many.

[JN · Rating 5 out of 5]

This lovingly crafted book normalises stories of the spectrum of mental health that affects us all in some way, at some time. Important messages, that we’d all do well to remember! Very glad to have grabbed a copy for my bookshelf.

[Teala Stephens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Annaliese and the featured writers bravely share their stories and strategies to keep swimming when struggling in the isolating ocean of thoughts and feelings associated with mental illness. It has been lovingly crafted, with beautiful illustrations and calming images between the words; written so you no longer feel alone when dealing with your sometimes messy or mean mind. It has practical tips and examples of things you can do to keep swimming when you find yourself in a rough patch of ocean.
Annaliese speaks to those who feel as if they are struggling alone, and shines a light on the common and collective experience of mental illness, further breaking down mental health stigma, reminding us we are all fallible, mistake making humans which does not make us unloveable or unworthy of a beautiful life.

[Sherry Mackay · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oh dear. I don’t want to be unkind but this reads like it’s written by a teenager. Okay this does sound really unkind but I do wonder how books like this get published. I went to this author’s book launch and she said she wanted it to be illustrated with sea themes but it just feels so childish to me.