We Need Warp Speed Attention to Mental Health Challenges Around the World Right Now

People from all over the globe told their stories of living with mental health challenges. These twelve people had numerous commonalities and reflected on a number of salient themes and lessons for those of us in the mental health field as well as those with lived experience. These lessons are especially important since we have been experiencing a global pandemic, which has exposed an urgent need to understand comorbid conditions including mental health. It has also highlighted the importance of diversity, accurate scientific communication and kindness to one another. Important lessons I learned reading this collection of short stories are organized into these topics: a) words matter; b) it should not take a pandemic to realize that people are living with mental health challenges and they need our help now; c) there are more similarities than differences in the world; d) trustworthiness is foundational to wellness; e) people with mental health challenges need to be heard, and, f) love is a powerful fixer.