Pritika Kirkwal is a senior at Lebanon Trail High School in Frisco. Her high school resume lists her as “author.” Her book, “It's Time to Start Looking In: An Interactive Guide to Happiness by a Youth for Youth,” was released this month.
“I realised that a lot of people, especially young people around me, were suffering, and that suffering was going on in silence and in solitude,” Karkwal said. “There was a lot of stigma and lack of awareness.”
Karkwal said she tried to find books written by young people that could help her but couldn't find any.
“So we really wanted to fill that gap,” Kirkwal said.
Kharkwal was already passionate about mentoring and mental health: she hosts a regular podcast called “Talk It Out With Pritika Kharkwal,” in which she and her guests discuss skills like breathing exercises and activities like getting out into nature to help get through difficult times.
“I wanted this self-care to not only be a part of my life story, but something that other young people and everyone could relate to,” Kirkwal says, “because it's so important.”
Kirkwal said she spent two years writing the book, and she sought advice and guidance from mental health professionals to guide her on the journey.
“Everything is evidence-based,” says Ronnie Newman, director of health promotion and education at the Art of Living Foundation. “She doesn't put anything in the book that isn't evidence-based, and that's what makes this book stand out.”
“I think her opinion will carry a lot of weight because it's coming from a teenager,” says Dr. Emma Seppala, a professor at Yale University. “There are a lot of teenagers who are struggling mentally. We know about it. There's research about it. And who better to give that advice than someone who's in their shoes?”
Kirkwal said she's already received requests from local libraries to feature her book, and readers can find it on Amazon.
