I'll start by saying I received this book in a giveaway, and it is absolutely one I needed to read. While this story is heartbreaking, it is a real tragedy and not an isolated incident. Fagan wrote phenomenally and, above all, respectfully. Every millennial (or parent or just person who regularly interacts with individuals in that generation or younger) should read this book. This book isn't just about a tragic suicide, but about the many things that led to it and the facade we put up to hide the pain and convince others (and ourselves) that we are okay. Numerous times it is mentioned that the conversations regarding mental health need to be reframed and become less stigmatized - I believe this book is a step in the right direction. ( )

I picked this book up from the library knowing nothing about it. Except the inside flap "appealed" to me. It is difficult to say that a book about suicide and the mental illness problem in the United States is appealing....but because I struggle with my own mental illness battles (and I'm a Psychology minor) I wanted to read the book.

Maddy's story is a sad one but not surprising either. We are driving athletes to perfection. We demand them to focus on their on-field performance and don't care about much else. We also are afraid to talk about mental illness. I can only imagine how difficult it is for athletes when success is glory is what gives you the win. Mental illness is not glory....it sucks.

Kate Fagan, in my opinion, did her best to do justice to Maddy's story. I did not think the writing style was always amazing. In fact, I thought it was quite poor sometimes. Her "personal experiences" occasionally were out of place but I do get why they were there--other people understand the thoughts that took place in Maddy's head.

This book doesn't give answers. I felt like every conclusion was an obvious one. And no changes were proposed either. So the reader almost felt as if we were rehashing pain for no apparent reason. Yet I did figure out the reason....eventually. Maddy's story deserves to be told (and in greater detail than a ESPNw article). Other athletes need to know they are not alone. Other PEOPLE need to know they are not alone. But I also hope this book gets people angry enough to start making changes. We do have a problem in this country. It's bad everywhere and REALLY bad on college campuses. Let's stop with the stigma and start doing something. ( )

An important story, well researched and respectfully told. A valuable addition to the reading list of anyone involved with college athletics in any capacity. ( )

Such an incredibly sad sad book related to a young woman’s struggle with depression and eventual suicide. Such a well written book with expressed empathy and insight. Great book on an incredibly sad topic. ( )

This reporting is both helpful and dangerous at the same time. I learned quite a bit about how to be a better professor, but I think I could have learned more from a book that was about life through suicide prevention instead of death by suicide.

After the song 1-800-273-8255 came out, calls to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline increased by a third. Quoted by CNN, John Draper, the director of the hotline, said,"We can certainly attribute and have seen call increases relative to tragic events and alarming portrayals of suicide in the media -- anywhere from (musicians) Chris Cornell and Chester Bennington's suicides, and (the Netflix show) '13 Reasons Why, ... But here's what's really important: Logic is generating calls with a song about getting help and finding hope. It's not focusing on tragedy or suicide. In fact, he's starting conversations about suicide prevention, as opposed to suicide."

I remember learning in high school about responsible reporting and the difficulties around death by suicide. This book does not follow the best practices, although it's mission is to educate people who can support those in need, and it certainly educated me about a student, it may do the opposite for those who are suffering. I could have learned as much or even more from a story about a woman who did not die, but was saved. ( )