Theme: Mental Health

In The Trick is to Keep Breathing by Janice Galloway, the theme of mental health forms the backbone of the narrative and the protagonist Joy’s journey.
The author provides an authentic, raw and intimate portrayal of the struggles associated with depression and anxiety, unraveling the breadth and depth of the mental health spectrum.
Galloway’s handling of mental health issues is sensitive and enlightening, offering a counter-narrative to the often misunderstood and stigmatized depictions in society.

Mental health issues disrupt Joy’s life, stifling her personal growth, damaging her relationships, and sabotaging her self-perception.
Joy’s struggles with mental health reflect the author’s critique of society’s inability to understand and appropriately respond to mental health concerns.
Through Joy’s journey, Galloway emphasises the idea that mental health cannot be fully understood or measured by external standards, as often expected by society.

Each character in the book, directly or indirectly, shapes and influences Joy’s mental health journey, creating a complex web of relationships and encounters that impact her mental state.
Characters like Tony serve as triggers for further emotional turmoil for Joy, highlighting the interconnected nature of our relationships and mental health.
Through Joy’s interactions with others, Galloway illustrates the depths of misunderstanding and ignorance that often surround people grappling with mental health issues.

Water and drowning are frequently used as symbols to represent the overwhelming and engulfing nature of mental health problems.
Joy’s obsessive-compulsive behaviour, such as her fixation with hygiene and order, symbolises her desperate attempts to exert control over her chaotic mental state.

“The trick is to keep breathing.” - This quote encapsulates Joy’s ongoing battle with mental health, underlining the constant struggle that defines her existence.
“What’s truly frightening is the world without me in it.” - This phrase emphasises Joy’s anxiety about her significance and her place in the world, reflecting the self-doubt common in many mental health conditions.
“I am not ill; I just need to get a grip.” - Joy’s self-blame and denial echoes societal stereotypes about mental health, demonstrating the destructive impact of such stigmas.