This is an automatically translated description
It is important for us to be okay. After all, our physical condition, ability to take care of ourselves, to be successful in our profession and satisfaction with life in general depend on our mental health. In Ukraine, it is still a shame to talk about mental health, it is scary to think about it, it is expensive to see a doctor, and it is not even known how to find one.
In the book «Being Okay: What You Need to Know About Mental Health, you will find not only basic information about mental health with links to medical protocols, but also a certain system of guidelines. The author focuses on the Ukrainian context: what is said about what, what stereotypes exist, what problems arise, what causes them, and what are their possible consequences.
The first part contains general information about the mental state of a person, its connection with the physical state, and describes the principles of brain functioning and emotions. The second part deals with the most common mental disorders. The book ends with &Being Okay» by considering historical trauma as a factor affecting collective mental health.
This book was published with the support of the Institutional Support Grant provided by the Ukrainian Book Institute.
Responses to the book:
"The topic of mental health in Ukraine is still shrouded in myths and stigmatised. It is a shame to have a mental disorder, to visit a psychotherapist, to take antidepressants. Darka Ozerna's book removes labels and also performs an educational function, describing the most common disorders and their treatment in a competent and accessible way. The author's self-disclosure and sincerity inspire a sense of deep respect, make you believe in the power of psychotherapy, and form a healthy attitude towards mental health issues. The book is written in a language that is understandable to the general public, using beautiful metaphors that make the perception of the material easy and interesting."
— Marina Tsarenok, practical psychologist at the Centre for Development and Health «Family Circle»
"This is a simple book about a complex and painful thing - the psychological health of a person and a nation. This is a book about the roots of many problems. Individual and social. This is a book about Ukrainian realities, written for Ukrainians using the best international research. In simple language, as only Darka can do. There are no magic pills that will give results here and now. Instead, there are practical tips. I don't know how many people will use them. Unfortunately, Being Okay is a confident step towards the formation of a new culture of psychological health among Ukrainians. And it's not far from restoring information immunity!"
— Oksana Moroz, author of the books «Nation of Vegetables?» and «Struggle for Truth»
"Even 10 years ago, it was hard to imagine that a book about mental health would be read or even written in Ukraine. Therefore, the publication of such a book by Darka Ozerna is literally an event of national importance for us. It will help us to finally realise that sometimes you can be not okay, it is normal and we need to talk about it. And talk to experts, not focus on pop tips generated by Instagram psychologists.
Darka provides structured information about the functioning of the brain and the causes of its malfunction, all of which, of course, is backed by rigorous scientific evidence, which makes the book a must-read."
— Artem Albul, author of the YouTube channel «Damn Rationalist»
