Super Short Summary

Reasons to Stay Alive by Matt Haig is a memoir that chronicles the author's personal journey through severe depression and anxiety, detailing his mental health crisis at 24 and his recovery. The book is divided into five parts—“Falling,” “Landing,” “Rising,” “Living,” and “Being”—and explores themes of societal perceptions of mental illness, the importance of communication, and tools for mental wellbeing such as mindfulness and gratitude. The book includes graphic descriptions of mental illness and thoughts of suicide.