I stumbled across Jazz Thornton on social media and learnt of the Voices of Hope foundation which she co-found with Genevieve Mora.

The fight these girls fought to recover from mental illness had me inspired.
I heard about Jazz’s book, ‘Stop Surviving, Start Fighting’, an insight to depression and suicide.
I saw stories of how this book has had such a positive impact on women needing help and support through tough times, I joined Live chats with her and saw the hundreds of ‘thank you’ messages from girls who found strength, courage and hope from reading her book.

I consider my mental health strong, but I knew I had to get my hands on this book as an authentic insight to mental illness.
I bought this book to support Jazz and to help me better understand and support others who are struggling with mental illness.

My sister struggled with her mental health over the years and I have a friend who battles with OCD. I have had friends confide in me and I havent known how to respond. Feeling somewhat awkward and uneducated. I’ve also had my share of struggles that elated to depression, anxiety and eating disorders. I wanted to learn more about mental illness to better understand, and support the people around me.. because we all have our struggles.

I bought the book and couldn’t wait to get stuck in to it! I started it within an hour of recieving it and within 5 days I had finished it.

As I read, I found this book to be nothing like I’ve ever read before. Its raw, real and ruthless.
This book fostered reflection and I knew that for me to get the most out of the book I had to run with my thoughts and reflections, so I started writing in my journal.
I had to keep stopping as the words Jazz shares were so powerful, so real and so relatable. Its intense, yet empowering and inspirational.

There were times I cried and times I smiled. There were times where my heart hurt for Jazz and there was feeling of immense pride for her too.

Jazz’s story, words and insights had me reflecting on my own childhood; my relationship with my sister, the impact of dad leaving and the abuse I experienced as a young girl. It hit home. This story fostered deep reflection and gave me a powerful insight to myself, people around me and mental illness as a whole.

I began to understand why when I was younger I reacted the way I did to certain things and why I made the choices I did. I realized that experiences affected me in ways I didnt even know, until now. I realised the fight I fought to get to where I am today, mentally strong, and I felt proud.

This is a story of hope. A story to show people that no matter the struggles the fight is worth it. We just need to learn how to fight. Jazz shares her tools, what influenced her and how she found the strength to fight.

She gives tips for those supporting others who are struggling and shares an authentic insight to how the mind can be re-wired and taught to fight.

The book leaves you feeling that if Jazz can do it, anyone can. She is so inspiring. Change is possible. Hope is real.

If there is one book you buy or borrow from the library or a friend, make it be Jazz Thorntons.
With New Zealands suicide rates as high as they are, do it for your country, your friends and family, your community.

“Stop Surviving, Start fighting”.

Hope is real.

You’ve got this.

For more, go to www.thevoicesofhope.org