Writing for Life: A Teenage Author’s Journey with Depression & Anxiety | Justin Kemp

“I took all of the pain that I was feeling and put it into my book.”
Justin Maxwell Kemp is a brave and gifted young man. He is a high school senior who wrote and published “Dear,” a short novel informed by his own journey with depression and anxiety. I met Justin at a recent book signing and talk/reading. As Justin shared his story, everyone present was moved by his words, honesty and vulnerability.
----------
✅ For more #MENTALHEALTH recovery films, subscribe to our channel:
/ oc87recoverydiaries
📝 Learn more about Justin's story:
oc87recoverydiaries.org/teena...
----------
Justin’s mental health challenges started in middle school, when a collision of challenges-his parents divorced, and he was bullied at school-unrooted him and caused him deep duress and failed suicide attempts. “I was struggling alone. I didn’t tell anyone. No one knew anything about what I was going through, but I was struggling so deeply that I didn’t want to get help. I just wanted to die.”
The book began as a series of “goodbye notes” to friends and family, but with the encouragement of a therapist, writing soon gave Justin as a reason to hold on “and that’s when I realized this might be my purpose in life.”
----------
✅ If you liked this video, please SUBSCRIBE to our channel
/ oc87recoverydiaries
----------
While “Dear,” is infused with Justin’s personal experiences, the author uses the stories of four teens who died by suicide as a structural device to address issues facing teenagers in America.
“These were kids my age-younger than me actually at the time when I was writing this-but they died by suicide because of bullying and mental problems. They were my characters that, I don’t want to say brought me hope, but brought a sense of understanding towards what I was going through and sadness at the same time.
“Their stories and my story aligned and, unfortunately, they couldn’t make it out of what they were going through. But it gave me a sense of, now that I understand what they went through, maybe I can make a difference and change my narrative.”
----------
Connect with us:
📲 Website | oc87recoverydiaries.org/get-u...
🎥 UA-cam | / oc87recoverydiaries
📸 Instagram | / oc87recoverydiaries
👤 Facebook | / oc87recoverydiaries

[@Dimitrius-vz7ol]

Wow powerful statements

[@patsysbano8189]

Thank you Justin i am proud of you for doing the work i am probably twice your age and i suffer with anxiety and depression i live with my mom and we don't get along to much hot friction my dad is dead i hope i can overcome my self limiting self sabatoging self defeating beliefs traits and behaviors and do what i need to do and make progress you're a good man i wish you continued success on your road to recovery INSPIRATIONAL

[@stephani633]

Thank you so much .. for sharing ur story .. you pulled through .. n should be proud of yourself… Iam I’m the throws of awful depression n anxiety n I try hard to fight it everyday .. it’s kicking my ass .. but I won’t give up 🙏

[@GardenHomie]

Godbless you Justin 🙏 ❤ you're going to help so many people.