How To Think Like A Roman Emperor Review: A Book That Showcases The Power Of Stoicism In A Modern Context

The philosophy of Stoicism has changed the lives of many people, from ancient practitioners like Epictetus, to modern day Stoics like Ryan Holiday, who have shared it with new generations. 

Another modern Stoic who’s made a name for himself is psychotherapist Donald Robertson and one of his most well-known books is How To Think Like A Roman Emperor: The Stoic Philosophy Of Marcus Aurelius.  

In the book, Robertson dives deep into the practices that Marcus Aurelius embodied in his everyday life and brings it into a modern context. The end result is a book that will surely continue to inspire readers for decades to come.

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Launching An Instagram Channel Dedicated To Comics, Superheroes And Positive Mental Health

For those who’ve been reading The Comic Vault for a while, you’ll have seen that mental health is a major pill of the site’s content and was always intended to be a vital talking point from the start. By viewing mental health through the lens of comics and popular culture, I wanted to help destigmatise topics like anxiety, depression and suicide and normalise the conversation.

In 2020, finding a positive mental health routine has become even more important and through my own experiences this year it’s inspired me to want to combine mental health and comics in a new way and that has led to the creation of the Instagram channel A Superhero Mentality. 

Superhero Mentality: Thor

Poor mental health is an experience that everyone has gone through at some point in their life. Even superheroes and gods aren’t immune to feelings of doubt and low self-esteem, with Thor being a prime example. The God of Thunder has battled depression, unworthiness and a loss of identity, highlighting that even the most powerful characters need to find coping mechanisms to restore their sense of self-belief.

Superhero Mentality focuses on positive mental health habits that different characters use as part of their daily routine and Thor’s approach combines a mixture of fitness, socialising and respect for his heritage.

Guest Post: Mental Health Depicted In Current Television

Current television’s role in mass media carries considerable clout when it comes to informing and shaping public perceptions. Characters portrayed on the screen can quickly become stereotypes when certain themes keep repeating from show to show. Unfortunately, this appears to be the case with current television’s depiction of mental illness.

Overcoming Social Anxiety And Delivering My First Public Presentation On Comics

Living with a mental health disorder is different for every person. Whether it’s anxiety, depression or bipolar disorder, everyone’s experience is unique to them. Everyone has their own coping mechanisms. As someone who experiences social anxiety, my coping strategies revolve around surrounding myself with pop culture because it’s what I’m passionate about. It’s what makes me happy. It reminds me that there are things worth fighting for.

Comics have played a huge role in improving my mental health. They’ve inspired me so much that I decided to do the worst thing that people with social anxiety can experience: put myself in a room with complete strangers and talk openly. More than that, comics inspired me to take the plunge with my first public presentation at the Doki Doki Festival in Manchester!

Why Wonder Woman Would Be An Amazing Mental Health First Aider

Mental health has never been more important than it is now. While many people have become more comfortable with talking about their experiences, there are countless more who are still hesitant to speak out for fear of being judged. When someone takes the time to address mental health, it can be extremely powerful and help to spread more compassion around the subject.

Compassion is a core tenant of being a superhero. And few superheroes are more empathetic than Wonder Woman. Strong, brave and resolute, Diana Prince has all the qualities of a mental health advocate. That’s why she’d made an excellent mental health first aider.

The God Of Self-Worth: Thor And Depression

Mental health is a complex topic that affects people on different levels. While some are happy to talk about their struggles with disorders like anxiety, others continue to suffer in silence for fear of being perceived as weak. Within the world of comics, humans aren’t the only beings to suffer with their mental health. Gods are just as vulnerable, and even the mighty Thor has fallen victim to thoughts of depression, anxiety and low self-esteem.

The God of Thunder’s quest to improve his mental health has been the source of many recent Thor stories. Having lost the ability to wield Mjolnir and then fighting to prove his worthiness again, Thor’s struggles are relatable when filtered through the lens of emotional vulnerability.

Superhero Mentality: Speedball

Coping with a mental health disorder can be one of the most difficult experiences of a person’s life. Conditions like anxiety and bipolar disorder may prevent someone from living to the fullest. One of the most liberating steps is the realisation that you aren’t alone and that it’s okay to share how you’re feeling with like-minded people.

Superheroes like Speedball understand the power of finding a routine that helps to manage a mental health condition. A sufferer of self-harm and low self-esteem, Robbie Baldwin has experienced more trauma that anyone his age should have to face. Read on to discover his coping mechanisms in the latest edition of Superhero Mentality.

Guest Post: The Mental Health Benefits of Reading Comics

There has been plenty of discussion recently about mental health and how it impacts people. Everyone is always looking for ways to improve their mental health, whether they want to cheer up, help their kids grow, or just to entertain themselves. Comic books may be a good solution to all of those problems. Why? Find out!

The Life Of Captain Marvel Review: A Reinterpretation For The Ages

Retelling a superhero’s origin story can be a good way of introducing the character to a new audience. The best reinterpretations make us see characters in a new light, and in The Life of Captain Marvel, written by Margaret Stohl, Carol Danvers’ story is reimagined in a major way. Stohl takes Captain Marvel back to her New England roots, revealing insight into her complicated family life. The graphic novel is certain to please long-time fans of the character and act as a gateway for new readers.