How can we support adolescent mental health? Anxiety, sadness, social pressure, identity struggles … adolescence can be overwhelming.
In this illustrated book, epidemiologist Maria Melchior and artist Chaz Hutton cut through the myths to explain what shapes young people’s mental well-being, how early experiences and social inequalities matter, and why prevention is key.
Clear, engaging, and hopeful, this book helps teens, parents, and educators understand, talk about, and support mental health without stigma.
About the authors
Maria Melchior is a renowned epidemiologist and is currently Research Director at Inserm (the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research). Her work lies at the intersection of mental health, addictive behaviors, and social inequalities. She is widely recognized for her expertise in studying the developmental trajectories of mental disorders from childhood to adulthood, as well as their intergenerational transmission. At Inserm, Maria Melchior plays a key role, particularly within the Pierre Louis Institute of Epidemiology and Public Health, where she serves as Deputy Director. She is also affiliated with the ESSMA team (Social Epidemiology, Mental Health, and Addictions).
Her research is primarily focused on the following areas:
- The study of social inequalities in mental health
- The use of longitudinal cohorts
- Mental health and addictive behaviors
- The impact of major life events
- Public engagement and knowledge transfer
- Institutional responsibilities
Maria Melchior has received multiple awards for her scientific contributions, including the Research Prize from the European Psychiatric Association and the Early Career Award from the International Society of Behavioral Medicine. Her work plays a crucial role in informing public health policies aimed at reducing mental health disparities and improving population well-being.
Chaz Hutton is an Australian illustrator and cartoonist known for his funny and insightful illustrations. His cartoons about everyday life gained a large following on Instagram, which in turn led to the publication of books in multiple countries. He has also regularly collaborated with a variety of brands such as Disney, Uber & Uber Eats, and Zopa, in addition to providing illustrations for various books, films and magazines, including The New Yorker. Chaz’s work has also appeared in multiple exhibitions, both in Europe and Australia.
Chaz’s work often aims to be both humorous and informative, and he’s spoken about this approach to illustration at both Google and TEDx in the past. His style and approach predominantly focus on how best to utilise fun, simple, and informative drawings to engage, entertain, and educate.
Visit him at www.chazhutton.com
About the collaboration
In today’s climate of mistrust toward science, some scientific advances remain poorly understood and often controversial, even though they stand at the heart of contemporary biomedical research.
To address this, Fondation Ipsen, Fondation Inserm, and artist Chaz Hutton are launching an original, eye-catching, and engaging collection of books. The aim of this collection is to give everyone the tools to better understand today’s scientific challenges, particularly in the field of rare diseases, where misinformation can have direct human consequences.
The books in the collection “Unplugged. Disconnect the noise. Reconnect with Science” are designed to:
Challenge misconceptions and fight scientific misinformation.
Explain major health advances, including those that are controversial or anxiety-inducing, clearly, simply, and without bias, using validated facts and expert insight.
Spark curiosity and strengthen understanding among general public, young people, and families.
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