Welcome back to Good Influence! This is the podcast where each week we'll meet a guest who’ll help us pay attention to something we should know about, but maybe don’t.    This week, we're talking about mental health; exploring mental health issues through writing characters, the differences between fact and fiction, and how social media misses out on the middle parts of our lives.   Matt Haig is the author of 21 books, including 'The Midnight Library', which is enjoying a long run on bestseller lists around the world. Matt also shares a lot of poignant musings on mental health on his social media channels and his very open with his own experiences of depression, anxiety and panic disorders. His new book, titled 'The Comfort Book', comes out in July.   If you want to learn more, here's where to find Matt and his recommendations:  Instagram: @mattzhaig Twitter: @matthaig1 Website: matthaig.com   Something to read: Phosphorescence: On Awe, Wonder & Things That Sustain You When the World Goes Dark - Julia Baird Something to watch: Old musicals - Singin' in the Rain, Meet Me in St Louis, An American in Paris Something to listen to: Dear Theodosia - Hamilton Soundtrack / Carpenters   Get involved and join in the conversation: Follow @gemmastyles @goodinfluencegs and send in your messages and questions to [email protected]   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.