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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An Exploration Of Male Suicide In Comics

Male mental health is a topic that needs to be discussed on a continuous basis. There is a plethora of factors that stop men from talking about their mental health, which range from the perception of being ‘weak’, to the fear of being judged. Suicide has become the biggest killer of men under 45, and to stop this from happening, we need to create a society where guys can feel comfortable talking about their experiences with depression, anxiety and other mental health conditions.

Creative mediums like comics can help to drive the discussion about mental health and raise awareness of suicide and the reasons behind it. Several superheroes and villains have been depicted as having suicidal thoughts. Examining the motivations of these characters can help to shine a light on the thought process behind suicide.

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.

Why Is Balder One Of The Most Relatable Asgardians?

Thor is one of the most recognisable Marvel characters, but the Asgardian pantheon contains some of the most diverse characters in the Marvel Universe. Balder, the God of Light, is an Asgardian who deserves more mainstream attention. One of Asgard’s most powerful warriors, Balder has helped Thor deal with a variety of threats against their home and his backstory is worth exploring in greater detail.

Superhero Mentality: Mister Miracle

When it comes to the topic of mental health, a lot of men struggle to talk about their experiences. Suicide has become the biggest killer of men under 45 and the only way to destigmatise the subject is to speak about it openly. Superhero Mentality focuses on a comic character with mental health issues and examines their coping strategies.

Even superheroes like Mister Miracle aren’t immune to suicidal thoughts. Raised in a hyper-masculine and violent society, Scott Free spent his whole life trying to escape. He fled to Earth, created a new identity for himself and married a good woman, but it wasn’t enough to stop his depression. He tried to kill himself by slitting his wrists. Eventually, Scott managed to get his life back on track by finding a routine that worked for him.

The Sentry: Man Of Two Worlds Review: A Vivid Take On Mental Health And Addiction

What does it mean to be a superhero? Some might say it’s about personal sacrifice and protecting the innocent. Others might think it’s about the fight between good and evil. There’s also the idea that being a superhero is addictive, that it’s about the thrill of having powers. When used responsibility, superpowers are a benefit to the world. Yet there’s always the danger of being consumed by power and becoming addicted to the feeling. When that happens, the line between good and evil gets blurred and you’re left with a character like The Sentry.

The Sentry: Man Of Two Worlds, written by Jeff Lemire, explore the idea of what it means to have superpowers. Themes of addiction, mental health and duality are all featured in this explosive graphic novel.

The High-Functioning Depressive: How Batman Copes With His Mental Health

Tragedy is a common theme in the life of a superhero. A traumatic event provided the motivation to become a crimefighter and Batman is the ideal character for representing the struggle. Everyone knows the story of Bruce Wayne and the promise of a lonely boy who lost his parents in Crime Alley. Bruce turned his grief into a reason to fight. It gave him a singular goal: to wipe out crime in Gotham City.

Batman’s bravery and intelligence makes him one of the most capable superheroes in the world. For all his talents, Bruce is a man who suffers with depression. He’s displayed all the signs of a high-functioning depressive, someone who can live a fulfilling life, but still be trapped in a cycle of despair. Batman provides an interesting take on the nature of depression, so I’m looking into how the Dark Knight copes with his mental health.

Acknowledging CTE As A Serious Illness With Luke Cage And His Superhero Identity

Superheroes are relatable because they struggle with their health. Whether it’s a physical or mental disorder, some characters find it hard to come to terms with what they’re experiencing. A disorder that needs to be talked about more is chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). This illness is associated with head trauma and causes aggression, memory loss, depression and dementia.

CTE is a disorder that affects athletes and soldiers because of their exposure to high impacts. Luke Cage was diagnosed with CTE and he struggled to accept it. I’m examining the nature of CTE and how Luke’s diagnosis helped to shine a light on a disease that needs to be taken seriously.

6 Reasons Why Comics Can Improve Mental Health

Mental health has become one of the most important topics in the world. Anxiety, depression and poor self-esteem are all issues that need to be talked about and destigmatized. Comics have helped me to feel more comfortable about my anxiety. They’ve made me passionate about wanting to promote positive mental health. Comics have the power to improve mental health and here are six reasons why.

Luke Cage: Everyman Writer Anthony Del Col Talks About CTE And Mental Health In Comics

Luke Cage is the kind of down to earth hero that a lot of people can relate to. His indestructible skin gives him an edge when protecting the community of Harlem. But what happens when an unbreakable man becomes vulnerable? Anthony Del Col invites comic fans to find out in his Luke Cage: Everyman miniseries.  Luke has been diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a concussive disease that’s common in contact sport athletes.

It was great to check in with Anthony and interview him about the series, his thoughts on CTE and what he thinks of mental health in comics.