How I Made It to Eighteen: A Mostly True Story

A parent might reach for this book when their teenager is struggling with intense feelings of worthlessness, disordered eating, or the frightening transition into inpatient mental health care. This raw and honest graphic memoir follows Stacy as she navigates the complexities of a residential treatment facility, dealing with depression, self-harm, and an eating disorder. It provides a mirror for those who feel broken and a roadmap for the slow, non-linear path to recovery. Parents will find this a valuable tool for normalizing the clinical experience of therapy and hospitalization. While the subject matter is heavy, the focus remains on Stacy's agency and her ultimate realization that she is worth the effort of healing. It is most appropriate for high school students due to its frank depiction of mental health crises.