Nicholas serves as a student ambassador for WVU School of Medicine Professional Programs and holds a deep interest in the realm of healthcare. It's Kind of a Funny Story is a 2006 novel by late American author Ned Vizzini. It’s Kind of a Funny Story: Study Questions 1) What symptoms brought Craig to the Emergency Room? Voices in his mind and thoughts of death begin to plague him. For more information on how any of our cookies work, please refer to our privacy policy. With Keir Gilchrist, Zach Galifianakis, Emma Roberts, Dana DeVestern. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a great resource that offers 24/7 toll-free calling (1-800-273-8255) and online chat services. It was a skill. he feels alienated from his friends. … For those of you who have not seen this movie, it is about a clinically depressed teenage boy named Craig, who checks himself into the psychiatric ward of a hospital after contemplating suicide.There were quite a few things I learned from this movie: People think mental illness can be cured almost instantaneously. The feeling is one that many people experience and can find themselves relating to. Channel Kindness is a digital platform created by Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation. A fast pace world where there is no time to stop and take a breather. Trigger Warning: This article features a book that discusses depression, anxiety, and suicide. These courses help educate individuals on how to identify, understand, and respond to mental illness and substance abuse. But, if I have learned anything about the illness over the last two decades, it’s that it just is and that there is no underlying cause. Painting and drawing have always been my go-to de-stress activities. It’s Kind of a Funny Story is a great representation of how young adults can overcome the obstacles within their mental illness and how they can find themselves within those obstacles. Ned drew inspiration for “It’s Kind of a Funny Story” from his own personal struggle with his mental health. Craig’s depression and anxiety stem from him attempting to be so goal orientated and it heightens, bringing him to a psychotic break and his suicidal ideation. His current school and its demands are the main source of his unhappiness and struggle. The feeling is one that many people experience and can find themselves relating to. We use necessary cookies to make our site work and to give you the best possible experience. I woke up into a nightmare.”. What he did not expect is that he would have to spend 5 days in the adults’ psychiatric ward. During the whole story Craig struggles to overcome the pressure and stress he has to go through. It's kind of a funny story: Home; Author information; Character description; Analysis of settings; Discussion of the conflict; Plot summaries; Craig Gilner. It's Kind of a Funny Story is a brutally honest contemporary following a teen who has a mental illness - yep, it's another one of those. Voices in his mind and thoughts of death begin to plague him. This Study Guide consists of approximately 41 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more - everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of It's Kind of a Funny Story. But out of the thousands already published, this one stood out because it was so well written. Acceptance of your identity is key. This also supports the claim that people with mental disorders try so hard to stay on a “normal” journey of life though they cannot emotionally or mentally handle it. Performing self destructive behaviour. You can find and register for one in your area here: https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/take-a-course/find-a-course/. Having this happen to a character so early in the book is to reveal to the reader that mental illness within young adults is still prevalent in our society. By incorporating Craig’s therapy sessions into the plot, Ned helped to relay the message to his readers that it is totally OK to go to therapy and seek out help when you need it. Bobby's symptoms include: Having trouble concentrating. Why? By highlighting the people and organizations that are doing good in their communities, Channel Kindness’ audience is inspired to create a kinder and braver world, one story at a time. When he realizes he's suicidal, he checks himself into the psychiatric ward of a hospital, thinking they'll do an observation, help him, and send him home in time for school the next day. There is this overall theme of identity within the novel states that you can recover from a dark place if you can accept that you were or are in a dark place. Working within this tradition, It's Kind of a Funny Story offers a uniquely honest look at a different yet … If you are happy for us to do so, we would also like to set optional analytics cookies to help us improve this site by collecting and reporting information on how you use it. These cookies are necessary to make our website work properly. The book received recognition as a 2007 Best Book for Young Adults from the American Library Association. Craig’s art has become an anchor of safety, and it has given him not only an outlet, but a future as well. Why? It’s Kind of a Funny Story (2010) 1) This movie is mainly about a sixteen year old kid named Craig Gilner. Worse still, it’s also not touching, clever, original, or really tolerable unless you have a nostalgic fondness for mid-‘90s coming-of-age dramas told through self-consciously quirky devices. help educate individuals on how to identify, understand, and respond to mental illness and substance abuse. If you or someone you know is experiencing thoughts of hopelessness or suicide, know that you are never alone in your battle. Channel Kindness © 2020. Numerous times I have found myself overwhelmed and anxious in both high school and college. Vizzini stresses the idea that people should not connect the theory of speed with success. Of course, there is that connotation that maps guide us through unknown places or even places that we thought we knew. It's Kind of a Funny Story is a 2010 American comedy-drama film written and directed by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck, an adaptation of Ned Vizzini's 2006 novel of the same name. He plans on either pursuing an MBA in healthcare administration or JD, and hopes to become an advocate for improving children's access to health care. However, Ned’s book gives hope to people of all ages that everyone has a purpose to live. looks forward to what the future holds for him. After earning acceptance into a prestigious school in Manhattan, the rigorous curriculum begins to overwhelm him, and. is a great resource that offers 24/7 toll-free calling (1-800-273-8255) and online chat services. is taking place within New York City. These cookies anonymously track interaction with online advertising, for example, to monitor the number of times that a banner ad is displayed and the number of times it is clicked. The title sums it up perfectly: 'It's Kind of a Funny Story' because it is. IT'S KIND OF A FUNNY STORY, adapted from Ned Vizzini's 2006 novel of the same name, is the new comedy-drama from acclaimed writer/directors Ryan Fleck & Anna Boden (HALF NELSON, SUGAR). If you cannot pace yourself then you cannot reach your true greatness. However, Ned’s book gives hope to people of all ages that everyone has a purpose to live. For stressed-out, hyper-high-achieving Craig Gilner (Keir Gilchrist) in "It's Kind of a Funny Story," the only answer is serious psychiatric help. Another setting that takes place within the novel is the psychiatric facility. We won’t set these optional analytics cookies unless you tell us it is OK to do so using the tick box below. Criag starts to befriend Bobby at the psychiatric hospital and finds a new crush, Noelle. stressful life situations. I think readers are also interested in those disorders that are bizarre or little known, for example via my Google search, Micropsia, a disorder also known as Alice in Wonderland Syndrome because those who suffer from it see objects as much smaller than they are (Alternet’s 12 Quirky Mental Disorders You Haven’t Heard About), or Alien Hand Syndrome which is when your hand seems to have a mind of its own (Listserve 10 Most Bizarre Psychological Disorders). All emails from the system will be sent to this address. After earning acceptance into a prestigious school in Manhattan, the rigorous curriculum begins to overwhelm him, and he feels alienated from his friends. United States Bookshop US. This is where he comes to terms with who he is and finds a way to accept that. It was released in the United States on October 8, 2010, and received generally positive reviews. Its Kind Of A Funny Story. When it comes to how Craig identifies himself he sees himself as a person of hope. It also sets up the themes of the novel and provides a thoughtful quote from the book for a classroom discussion. This can reveal that that representation cannot be overlooked because it is one of the first signs to a mental disorder. All Rights Reserved. Taken on its own terms, "It's Kind of a Funny Story" is a delicately balanced work, rich in spirit but never melodramatic, and full of sharp observations and lovely performances. In the twentieth century, literature devoted to adult mental illness became increasingly popular; Ken Kesey's novel One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest, which is set in an adult mental hospital, is perhaps the single most famous example. Craig was ambitious and wanted to do everything in his power to hold on to being ambitious, though there were some instances where he did depict that shyness and that alienation. And that’s really sad. Recently I watched the movie It’s Kind of a Funny Story. Ultimately, Craig realizes in a therapy session that he should transfer to a high school for the arts. One instance that connects to the setting is the use of the maps within the book. In the interview he states, “I put Craig in an adult psychiatric instead of child psychiatric because I actually went into one...the vast differences that Craig notices between himself and the adult patients is what helps him realize that there is more to life than being a teenager. In his free time, Nicholas enjoys painting & drawing, traveling, and spending time with his family and friends. In his novel, Ned introduces readers to teenager Craig Gilner. You can find and register for one in your area here: Interested in reading “It’s Kind of a Funny Story”? He uses the idea of the map to create the unknown place within his mind. Loosely based on the personal experience of author Ned Vizzini, it follows the story of fifteen-year-old Craig Gilner, whose depression and decision to end his life lands him in the adult psychiatric unit of a Brooklyn hospital. The film stars Keir Gilchrist, Zach Galifianakis, Emma Roberts, and Viola Davis. Interested in reading “It’s Kind of a Funny Story”? Craig finds himself slipping into a very dark place, as he is unable to eat and sleep. Though your disorder does not define who you are, it shapes our personalities, shapes your way of thinking, how you perceive the world and how it perceives you. Buy Study Guide. A nna Boden and Ryan Fleck’s It’s Kind of a Funny Story isn’t funny. He started having sympton's a few weeks after starting highschool at Executive Pre-Professional, a very elite school. We use them to enable core functionality such as displaying the correct web page, or keeping the website secure. Conclusion. One of the greatest investments that we can all make is to take the time to complete a Mental Health First Aid Course offered by Mental Health First Aid USA. Another overarching theme is the idea that confrontation of one’s self. As Craig’s time at Six North comes to a close, he has found a more positive outlook on life and confronted the source of his anxiety and depression. “I didn’t want to wake up. Losing interest in activities he used to enjoy. Vizzini encourages his readers to accept your differences and accept your mental illness. It's Kind of a Funny Story study guide contains a biography of Ned Vizzini, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. Craig turns to art to help him pass the time, and it serves as a creative outlet to. Depression Through out the novel, Its Kind Of A Funny Story, the main character suffers depression, just about 2 million other teenagers suffer from clinical depression, though a dictionary states that depression is : A condition of mental disturbance, typically with lack of energy and difficulty in maintaining concentration or interest in life, its much more. The new pick-up line is going to read “I’m a covert manipulator, what character disorder are you under?” It’s scary how many types of people we have to be on the watch for! Spoilers for It’s Kind Of A Funny Story lie ahead. The StoryGraph is an affiliate of the featured links. All of these might be triggers for periods of depression, of course. These. Craig’s art has become an anchor of safety, and it has given him not only an outlet, but a future as well. Or, visit the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, which offers a wide array of mental health resources that are readily available for people of all ages. It's Kind of a Funny Story - Mental Illness Portrayal in YAL. This novel debunks the stereotypes of mental illness within Young Adult Literature. Nicholas McCardle, 21, is from West Virginia where he is currently a student at West Virginia University in the Health Informatics and Information Management Program. It goes on to discuss how the world you once known is not always the case and being able to accept difference and change is the first step to knowing one's true self. While Craig is slowly making progress, he begins to become anxious over what his peers at school will say about his absence. The book was inspired by Vizzini's own brief hospitalization for depression in November 2004. Many of our youth can find themselves so overwhelmed that they may slip into depression and even contemplate suicide. Character disorders are so prevalent nowadays it’s hard to keep track. Craig is a young kid who comes from a pretty normal family, has friends, goes to school and has somewhat a social life, but yet still suffers a psychological disorder known as depression. Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of the book is that it opens up the potential for conversations on mental health among young people with their peers and family members. In fact, according to Mental Health America, an, experienced severe depression in 2017, and. Together, they heal and relate with one another. He also believes in the idea of he can do what he can instead of being so intensely focused on being “normal.”. Craig is a high-school junior, in the gifted program, infatuated with his best friend's girl. His current school and its demands are the main source of his unhappiness and struggle. Like any other high school student, he often feels overwhelmed by the pressure placed upon him to be successful. Craig's doctor talks to him about going back to school. Much like Craig, art has always been an outlet for me. We find out in. CINELUV RATING: 7 / 10. The email address is not made public and will only be used if you wish to receive a new password or wish to receive certain news or notifications by email. Above all else, the setting supports the claim that going into an unknown setting with the journey of your life will help you take a step back from reality and help you figure out who you are and what your plain is next. Like any other high school student, he often feels overwhelmed by the pressure placed upon him to be successful. While walking home after his release, Craig realizes that he has made the “shift” back to what he considers a normal state of mind, and looks forward to what the future holds for him. Never have I wanted to laugh at a character's cynical humour while wanting to cry over the bleakness of his life. One can believe that this place is revealed to be a place of educating. The. Craig Gilner is 15 year's old, and suffer's from depression. Over the weekend I got to see an interesting film called It’s Kind of a Funny Story.It tells the story of Craig (Keir Gilchrist) a teenager who – struggling with suicidal thoughts – checks himself into psychiatric ward. One sleepless night, he devises a plan to attempt suicide by jumping off of the Brooklyn Bridge. Craig turns to art to help him pass the time, and it serves as a creative outlet to him. This is a significant matter when it comes to finding yourself within your disorder. This book has helped to eliminate the stigma that not only surrounds therapy, but mental health conditions like depression and anxiety as well. One of the greatest investments that we can all make is to take the time to complete a Mental Health First Aid Course offered by Mental Health First Aid USA. For many of us, the cinema is more than a night out. A film adaptation, directed by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck, was released … The story is actually an semi-autobiographical piece by the author, Ned Vizzini who lived with anxiety and depression before taking his own life. Ned Vizzini later died by suicide on December 19, 2013. Anxiety and Depression Association of America. In James Blasingame’s article, he quotes that the facility was “a problem solving place, a place of healing.” Throughout the novel Craig lives within this new community and sees the differences of mental illness that is around in our world today. Have an idea for a Channel Kindness story? In fact, according to Mental Health America, an estimated 1.8 million youth experienced severe depression in 2017, and suicide has now become the third leading cause of death in adolescents. Bobby's condition may stem from one or combination of many causes: feeling guilty or like a burden to others. That experience served as the basis for the book. It's @5:00 A.M. on a Sunday in Brooklyn. It's Kind of a Funny Story Characters. depression. With such a stigma existing in our society surrounding mental health, it is important to make strides in diminishing it. Trigger Warning: This article features a book that discusses depression, anxiety, and suicide. It's Kind of a Funny Story Teen Mental Health Today. A valid email address. While walking home after his release, Craig realizes that he has made the “shift” back to what he considers a normal state of mind. However, Craig eventually visits the emergency room and is admitted to the adult psychiatric facility of Six North at Argenon Hospital. Buy It's Kind of a Funny Story. It's kind of a funny story: Home; Author information; Character description; Analysis of settings; Discussion of the conflict; Plot summaries; The main conflict in the story is Craig fighting his depression. 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