Ned Vizzini

Ned Vizzini, author of many well-known young adult novels, was fairly average as a teenager, but his literary works showed that even the most fortunate of circumstances can be insanely difficult for people (especially teens) struggling with mental illness. According to Vizzini, his novel, It's Kind of a Funny Story, is based largely on his life. The main character Craig Gilner is a lot like his peers. He plays video games at his friend's' house, goes to parties, smokes pot, and gets into trouble. His problems are average and mild: he's attracted to his friend's girlfriend, he's stressed about school and homework, and he's still finding his interests and identity. Despite the seeming benignancy of his problems, the suffering he faces as a result is debilitating. Like the author, Craig Gilner develops depression as a result of his stress, and he ends up checking himself into a psychiatric hospital after seriously considering suicide. In many of his books, Vizzini discusses teen anxiety, depression, and stress. Through his writing, he uncovers the world that many teens today live in due to mental illness. In particular, he shows the reality and seriousness of teen depression. Vizzini's novel It's Kind of a Funny Story is a tale of melancholy, hope, humor, and healing. He shows through his words just how difficult it is to deal with suicidal depression, while also delivering the message that it gets better. Vizzini's courage to share his experiences, coupled with his inspiration and humorous outlook on life, make him a hero to teens readers with similar life challenges.

For the majority, it is difficult to publicly share personal experiences because of the fear of criticism a lot of people face. Vizzini had the courage to share through his novels his experience having depression, contemplating suicide, and staying in a psychiatric hospital. Sufferers of mental illness often face criticism and stigma. But Vizzini was willing to use his knowledge and experience to help and inspire other people. In an interview with James Blasingame, Vizzini stated: "eighty-five percent of It's Kind of a Funny Story comes from my real life. One hundred percent of it comes from my (limited) knowledge of life" ("Interview with Ned Vizzini."). According to a 1998 survey "70% [of people surveyed] believed that people with schizophrenia are violent and unpredictable. At the other extreme, people with mental illness are frequently portrayed as victims, pathetic characters, or 'the deserving mad' (Byrne, 1997)". This is a difficult stigma to deal with, and it is shown by the fact that "in one study of 156 parents and spouses of first-admission patients, half reported making efforts to conceal the illness [depression] from others" ("Stigma of Mental Illness and Ways of Diminishing It."). Vizzini openly shared that he had in fact suffered from depression, and that he checked himself into a psychiatric hospital. And despite the stigma and fear that clearly comes along with such illnesses, Vizzini shared this difficult part of his life to help others.

In addition to his courage to talk about something as taboo as mental illness, Vizzini showed that he cared about others. He says in an interview, "I'm always searching for moments that other people can connect with, not just me" ("In Conversation with It's Kind of a Funny Story Author Ned Vizzini."). He wanted to unite people through his humor and his past suffering. He also portrays a message of understanding and validation. Craig Gilner, whose personality and struggles were molded after Vizzini's, had fairly small problems. They would seem like no big deal to many people on the outside, but the way he writes about Craig's problems, Vizzini validates the struggles of mental illness as well as "normal" teen struggles.

What makes Vizzini's books so appealing to many readers is his inspiring messages. At the end of his stories, he has a real and inspiring message for readers to take away. In the final chapter of It's Kind of a Funny Story, Craig says he

"[hasn't] cured anything", but that "something seismic" has happened to him. He tells himself at the end to "Ski. Sled. Play basketball. Jog. Run. Run. Run. Run home. Run home and enjoy. Enjoy." Vizzini end's the novel with Craig's message to himself to "take these verbs and enjoy them. They're yours, Craig. You deserve them because you chose them. You could have left them all behind but you chose to stay here. So now live for real, Craig. Live. Live. Live. Live. Live" (It's Kind of a Funny Story). Vizzini conveys a message of hope. He tells himself- and now through his books, he tells others- to live. He says to live without fear and enjoy life.

Vizzini is recognized by many as a great writer and inspiration. A hero has to overcome adversity, and help and inspire people. Vizzini struggled to work through his anxiety and depression, and he inspired people, through his writing, to keep living and keep working through tough times. He brought awareness to mental health and it's importance. During his lifetime, he has been brave and kind enough to use his struggles in a selfless way. Ned Vizzini's use of his own struggles and life experiences to connect and help others- despite stigma and criticism he inevitably would face- make him a deserving hero.