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Stop Surviving Start Fighting
Jazz Thornton first attempted to take her own life at the age of 12. Multiple attempts followed and she spent time in psychiatric wards and under medical supervision as she rode the rollercoaster of depression and anxiety through her teenage years - yet the attempts continued.Find out what Jazz learned about how her negative thought patterns came to be, and how she turned those thoughts - and her life - around. Who and what helped, and what didn't help. The insights she gives will help create greater understanding of those grappling with mental illness, and those around them who desperately want to help.Jazz went on to attend film school, and to co-found Voices of Hope, a non-profit organisation dedicated to helping those with mental health issues and show them there is a way forward. She creates online content to provide hope and help. Her first video Dear Suicidal Me has had over 80 million views all around the world. She went on to create Jessica's Tree, a web series that follows the 24 hours between a friend, Jess, going missing and the discovery of her body. It provides insights into Jessica's struggles, to help people better understand those suffering from depression. Jessica's Tree was viewed more than 230,000 times in the two months following its release in March 2019 and immediately began winning international recognition and awards. The process and the delicate decisions that had to be made to create Jessica's Tree have themselves been documented in a film about Jazz called The Girl on the Bridge, due for release early in 2020.
272 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 31, 2020
328 people are currently reading
5023 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 193 reviews
June 15, 2020
If I could give this book a million stars on here, I would! When I say that this book is amazing, I mean it. I don’t think I’ve cried so much at a non-fiction book. I cried tears of joy. Tears of sadness. Tears of hope. Most importantly, tears of realisation. Realisation that no matter how bad your mental health may be, things can and will get better and that change is possible. As I’ve struggled with my mental health before, more so over the last 7 months, this was quite a hard read but it’s also helped me realise that I can’t keep bottling things up and pushing people away and that I can’t listen to people when they tell me I can’t have mental health struggles because I’m a student nurse. I’d highly recommend this book if you have struggled or are struggling with mental health, if you know someone who is struggling, if you want to go into the health and social care profession (particular social work, mental health nursing, psychiatry etc.) or if you just want an insight into how ill mental health can affect someone. This book has a massive trigger warning for mention of suicide, self harm, eating disorders, PTSD, intrusive thoughts, psychiatric wards amongst quite a few others so please be careful going into the book if any of those things may trigger you. Remember that it is okay to not be okay and that “Hope is real and change is possible” - Jazz Thornton.
August 26, 2020
Trigger warning: Suicide
I bought this for my high school library. A very hopeful book, part biography, part self help book. What a courageous woman. Each chapter focused on an aspect of self help eg. "Changing the script" "The power of decisions" or key events that tied into Jazz' self identity, her abandonment, bullying, spirals of depression. As a result of this, her life was not told in a linear fashion, which made it a little confusing at times.
I love how far she has come in her life, and how much she has achieved. What an amazing role model. She has done some cool stuff.
There is a list at the back of the book of places to go for help. Mostly Nz focused, but also Australia, USA, UK
My concern about the book: I have asked the guidance counselor about this book, as it does mention suicide and self harm. I do think it is very important that young people have access to quality resources and help. (especially boys, here in Nz we have a terrible, terrible youth suicide rate). My concern is that at time she references suicide methods. In no detail at all, in fact she tried very hard to not say what they were. But I think I could figure out what they were from the context. I don't want to put ideas in peoples heads if I can help it. As a result of my own life experiences and someone close to me attempting suicide, I have visions in my head that I wished I did not have. And it affected me greatly. I think I am going to limit this book to seniors at school. But also get input from wiser people than me.
I bought this for my high school library. A very hopeful book, part biography, part self help book. What a courageous woman. Each chapter focused on an aspect of self help eg. "Changing the script" "The power of decisions" or key events that tied into Jazz' self identity, her abandonment, bullying, spirals of depression. As a result of this, her life was not told in a linear fashion, which made it a little confusing at times.
I love how far she has come in her life, and how much she has achieved. What an amazing role model. She has done some cool stuff.
There is a list at the back of the book of places to go for help. Mostly Nz focused, but also Australia, USA, UK
My concern about the book: I have asked the guidance counselor about this book, as it does mention suicide and self harm. I do think it is very important that young people have access to quality resources and help. (especially boys, here in Nz we have a terrible, terrible youth suicide rate). My concern is that at time she references suicide methods. In no detail at all, in fact she tried very hard to not say what they were. But I think I could figure out what they were from the context. I don't want to put ideas in peoples heads if I can help it. As a result of my own life experiences and someone close to me attempting suicide, I have visions in my head that I wished I did not have. And it affected me greatly. I think I am going to limit this book to seniors at school. But also get input from wiser people than me.
May 13, 2020
This book is such an important read. Youth. Adults. If you’re going through it yourself, if you know someone who is, or has, or you just want to understand more about jumble that is mental unwellness - READ THIS BOOK.
I won’t hesitate to recommend this book and as I begin my own career in the mental health sector, I know this book is going to be one I refer to often.
I won’t hesitate to recommend this book and as I begin my own career in the mental health sector, I know this book is going to be one I refer to often.
January 11, 2022
It’s very hard to rate a person’s life experience but in my opinion this book was too repetitive and unorganized.
November 7, 2024
A gut-wrenching, raw, account of Jazz's battle with depression and suicidal ideation.
A must-read for those with mental health issues and those closest to them.
Thank you for sharing your empowering story, Jazz.
A must-read for those with mental health issues and those closest to them.
Thank you for sharing your empowering story, Jazz.
March 13, 2021
This is such a valuable read for ANYONE, whether you deal with mental health issues or if you know someone who does. (I imagine that WOULD cover everyone.) It is pretty heavy at times, but SO worth the read. For me it really helped me have more compassion for people who are struggling. One thing I found particularly enlightening was how much Jazz talked about "attention-seeking behavior" and how harmful of a stereotype that is. Telling someone they're an attention-seeker is like telling someone who is sick with cancer that they need to stop seeking attention and just deal with it on their own. Jazz helped me see that those so-called "attention-seekers" are really just crying out for help and love. So giving them that help and love ALL the time, not just when they're in crisis mode, is one of the best ways we can help.
Many of the concepts Jazz describes can also apply to everybody, particularly examining your core beliefs that are harmful, and actively fighting to challenge those lies and negative thoughts.
This book is packed full of good advice and SO MUCH hope and inspiration. Highly recommend.
Many of the concepts Jazz describes can also apply to everybody, particularly examining your core beliefs that are harmful, and actively fighting to challenge those lies and negative thoughts.
This book is packed full of good advice and SO MUCH hope and inspiration. Highly recommend.
September 15, 2020
I want to give this book more stars but I think because of the place I was in when I read it, I can’t. This can be triggering for many people so don’t read it unless you’re doing well mentally and have supports around you.
Nevertheless, it was amazing to see someone’s path out of being ill. Thank you Jazz for sharing that.
Nevertheless, it was amazing to see someone’s path out of being ill. Thank you Jazz for sharing that.
February 17, 2021
I don’t think 5 stars is enough.
One of the best non-fiction mental health books. Inspirational without being cliche.
One of the best non-fiction mental health books. Inspirational without being cliche.
October 12, 2021
An honest look into the life and struggle of Jazz Thornton with her battle against suicide and mental illness. Had a proud christian moment reading how Equippers church played such a significant role in her road to recovery.
Really is just such an amazing testament of Gods goodness through the transformation in her life. Even though she didn’t explicitly talk about salvation (which i have to say was a bit disappointing) she DID mention church a bunch! which I thought was cool considering this book is targeted towards the av kiwi joe. Nice to see christianity represented in a positive light! A beneficial read for both those suffering in and supporting mental health i’d say.
Ended on a super positive note- optimism for the good that could be right around the corner.
Really is just such an amazing testament of Gods goodness through the transformation in her life. Even though she didn’t explicitly talk about salvation (which i have to say was a bit disappointing) she DID mention church a bunch! which I thought was cool considering this book is targeted towards the av kiwi joe. Nice to see christianity represented in a positive light! A beneficial read for both those suffering in and supporting mental health i’d say.
Ended on a super positive note- optimism for the good that could be right around the corner.
December 5, 2023
I listened to the audio book and it was amazing. I follow jaz on TikTok and she is one of the most positive people on there I love her so much
December 30, 2020
The strength and courage Jazz shows to write and publish her story is amazing. Jazz tells the story of her experiences with depression and suicide, while explaining these experiences exist with a discussion on her core beliefs and other key factors to create her world view.
I think in writing this book, Jazz is trying to have the book be too many things, which I believe let's her down. At times this was a self-help book, at time advice for supporters of those experiencing mental illness, and at times Jazz's story. I think if she stuck to trying to do one thing, this book would be a better read. However nonetheless, this is an amazing story, that has taken courage for Jazz to share.
I think in writing this book, Jazz is trying to have the book be too many things, which I believe let's her down. At times this was a self-help book, at time advice for supporters of those experiencing mental illness, and at times Jazz's story. I think if she stuck to trying to do one thing, this book would be a better read. However nonetheless, this is an amazing story, that has taken courage for Jazz to share.
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July 21, 2024Wow. Just wow. Heavy and repeated mentions of suicide and self harm so read with a calmer headspace and take breaks. Nonetheless Jazz’s story, as dark as it is, is important and impactful. She came out of top and helps to see that you can too.
January 26, 2021
4/5. An insightful read about mental health written by a really brave girl who has managed to fight the demons in her mind (depression) and emerged victory. It is a book that gives hope to those like Jazz and also a book to educate others on what living with depression and suicidal thoughts is like. It also allow those who know people who are suffering from depression to know how to better help them. (E.g. avoidance of the topic is never the solution, instead guide them to talk about their feelings and why are they feeling that way etc)
November 1, 2020
“You need to have something to fight for”. Yes you do. For every person ‘surviving’ this is a story of hope for those with a mental illness or supporting someone with a mental illness. To the people who lift us higher so we can feel the sunlight like Jazz, thank you. I felt almost overwhelmed reading this story. A book of both darkness and light that shows no matter how broken you are there is always hope.
May 17, 2020
I listened to this via audible. I think Jazz has a truly inspirational story and I think this book needs to be read in schools. Not only to get a better understanding of mental health issues but to give hope to those young people that need it. I definitely could have used this book when I was a teen. Incredible story of hope.
February 20, 2021
This book is great for people who are struggling with suicide & depression. Not only does Thornton show us that we are not alone, she shares the steps that helped her with her situation. As someone who also lives in New Zealand and gone through slightly similar (But less severe) experiences, I can relate a lot. I 100% recommend!
October 5, 2025
The title of the story, Stop Surviving, Start Fighting, was so important because it shows that decisions are powerful. You can choose to be passive and let self hatred take over you, or you can choose to fight it and take the small steps to becoming healthy again. The writer of this book, Jazz Thornton, talks about how when she started to fight, she couldn’t just stop herself from attempting suicide, she had to take the small steps first to give her momentum to get there. “It was possible for my world to change, but the change lay within my decisions: my decision to believe the people who said they loved me over what my mind told me (the opposite). The decision to call a friend instead of writing a suicide letter. All of these decisions are hard ones, but they enable you to engage in the fight, break distorted beliefs and allow you to begin healing.” The fight does not have to be a grand gesture like going out and telling yourself that it’s not over, but the small decision to go on a walk every day can give worth to your life and help build up to making a big decision like not attempting suicide. All the small decisions that you have discovered worth in, not just one, combined can make you not want it to end and help you choose to fight not just survive. Making small choices is like eating from a box of Favourite’s chocolates. If you eat one everyday, it will feel good for you, and the box will last longer, but if you eat them all in one day, you’ll feel sick and the box will be empty and burn out. Small choices can feel like they aren’t doing anything but they’re building up to the momentum of fighting for your life even though it doesn’t come easy. Change is built on small, intentional choices, not on large gestures. If there is no build up where is the celebration? We can’t truly make a big decision out of nowhere without build up. Small intentional choices are what can help with the fight to live life. Change requires belief. It requires determination. It requires the fight within someone to be better. “What are the consequences of this decision I am about to make? Does it get me closer to, or further away from, my future?” Jazz asks herself on the way to a Christmas Eve church service after making the small decision to not isolate herself on a special occasion. She believes that despite having to face people who know her state of mind, that this could help her become better. After the service she meets one of her soon to be life long friends and gets invited for Christmas there. By choosing to believe that not isolating herself will make her better, she has helped herself in that aspect of life forever. Despite her feelings lagging behind her, she still knew that even if it didn’t get better, it still couldn’t get worse. Choosing to believe that a decision one makes can make things better is half the battle. One has to ignore their core feelings and know that if they’re removing their suicidal thoughts side from the equation, they will make a step to becoming better. By making small choices to build momentum for getting better, and also choosing to believe that a decision will help them, it says that decisions really do matter. Stop surviving, start fighting. The decision to start fighting and not just passively survive through attempts at suicide is a decision that has to be made. That decision could be life or death. Any decision could be. To make the right decision we have to remove ourselves from our body and think that if this was one of my good friends, what would I tell them to do. That can be the way to making the right decision.
November 8, 2021
I first came across Jazz on TikTok. It was just before the summer and I saw her TikTok in ADHD. Relating on it, I checked out her account and soon learned her story. From there I watched her documentaries and TEDx talk, and waited a full month for this book to arrive (that’s what you get for international shipping during the pandemic…)
I’m a social work student. I see people like young Jazz on my internship all the time, with no clue how to handle it, as my school hasn’t touched on the subject of depression and suicidal thoughts.
This book is incredible. Not only did I learn so many things I could use for my work, but I learned a lot of things I could use for myself, as there are just so many tips, advices, inspiring quotes, etc. in the book.
This book writes about difficult subjects. Depression, suicide, PTSD and so on. But I have also never before read a book with so much hope and joy. Reading how someone discovers the path to fighting and giving tips along the way, it’s just beautifully incredible! I honestly would recommend this book to everyone. Not only if you know, are or work with people with a mental illness, just everyone in general. It helped me understand so much more about mental illness!
I’m a social work student. I see people like young Jazz on my internship all the time, with no clue how to handle it, as my school hasn’t touched on the subject of depression and suicidal thoughts.
This book is incredible. Not only did I learn so many things I could use for my work, but I learned a lot of things I could use for myself, as there are just so many tips, advices, inspiring quotes, etc. in the book.
This book writes about difficult subjects. Depression, suicide, PTSD and so on. But I have also never before read a book with so much hope and joy. Reading how someone discovers the path to fighting and giving tips along the way, it’s just beautifully incredible! I honestly would recommend this book to everyone. Not only if you know, are or work with people with a mental illness, just everyone in general. It helped me understand so much more about mental illness!
February 9, 2023
Another book that has been on the to-read list for a while. I did the audiobook seeing as it’s another biography that the author themselves read the audiobook. I have followed Jazz on TikTok for a while and really wanted to read her book before her podcast comes out. Solid read from someone who clearly has a talent for explaining her story from suicidal to motivational speaker.
I don’t why this book hits hard - maybe it’s the shared experience of the torture that is High School in Timaru if you don’t fit the cookie cutter “beautiful, smart, sport girl” and how we shared the desire and need to flee the town. Many of her stories could have easily been me and my mindset in High School and how those thoughts stay with you long into adulthood. Or whether it was the details into how and why she tried countless times to end her life or her sexual assaults - all stories that are eerily similar to me.
This was a raw and honest recounting of a traumatic childhood, mental health and how survival mode is not the best way to go through life. If you have anyone who needs help with their mental help - this is a great book to share with them.
I don’t why this book hits hard - maybe it’s the shared experience of the torture that is High School in Timaru if you don’t fit the cookie cutter “beautiful, smart, sport girl” and how we shared the desire and need to flee the town. Many of her stories could have easily been me and my mindset in High School and how those thoughts stay with you long into adulthood. Or whether it was the details into how and why she tried countless times to end her life or her sexual assaults - all stories that are eerily similar to me.
This was a raw and honest recounting of a traumatic childhood, mental health and how survival mode is not the best way to go through life. If you have anyone who needs help with their mental help - this is a great book to share with them.
May 24, 2020
I think this is a really important book for everybody to read, whether you suffer from mental illness or not. For me, it revealed a lot of things that I need to reevaluate about myself and gave me tools to help do that. I would recommend keeping a notepad close by while you read this so that you can take notes. Jazz manages to reveal truths about yourself while making you feel less alone, and it is so important.
September 9, 2021
I think this book deserves three stars when it comes to the technical part, but due to the importance of this story, I’ll give this one four stars. I truly believe that it was really brave of her to write this book so honest, and that it’s an important one to read even though it could have been written in a better and smoother way. I think we all have a lot to learn from this book.
February 16, 2022
As someone who HASN'T really dealt with severe mental health issues, this was a truly eye-opening and interesting read. To me, Jazz's story is one of resilience, strength and determination. She managed to overcome and fight through her mental health issues and her damaged childhood.
She is a true advocate for change in the mental health system. Mental health needs to be taken seriously, and I'm so glad that it is been treated so nowadays.
She is a true advocate for change in the mental health system. Mental health needs to be taken seriously, and I'm so glad that it is been treated so nowadays.
April 16, 2024
I absolutely love Jazz Thornton's energy and personality she shows on TikTok and have always been intrigued when she mentions her upbringing. Highly recommend this one if you, or someone you know, struggles with mental health.
June 8, 2020
Amazing read ❤️
June 29, 2020
A good insight into youth suicide.
January 4, 2022
I discovered Jazz on Social Media, and already knew a lot of her story. But I loved hearing her narrate the story in her beautiful New Zealand accent.. and the content was uplifting and HOPEFUL. It's a worthwhile and quick read, regardless of your own history of (or lack thereof) mental health.
April 4, 2022
As a big fan of Jazz's I really enjoyed this book! It brings a lot of issues to light and allows people to understand more about mental health
November 24, 2024
This book destroyed me. Spent a good portion of the book balling my eyes out as it brought back so many emotions of my childhood and just the thought of if only little me could see me now.
January 15, 2022
4.5* I normally don’t like self-help books or all that stuff because they just ramble on idealistically about hope and crap, but this one is an exception. Jazz Thornton writes captivatingly and she speaks to me so profoundly. She doesn’t fling false hope to you. She allows you to create your own hope. You are your own saviour. Stop surviving and Start Fighting is the best mental health, self-help and inspirational memoir I’ve ever read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 193 reviews