Penguin Launches Fundraising Campaign Inspired by John Green To Support Mental Health Charity Mind

Publisher Penguin Random House UK launch #YourNowIsNotYourForever, a campaign to support leading mental health charity Mind

Inspired by John Green’s acclaimed first novel in six years, Turtles All The Way Down, Green’s book was praised by readers for its sensitive and authentic depiction of protagonist Aza and her experiences with OCD.

Many attribute the level of authenticity to Green’s own experiences. When asked about Turtles All The Way Down, John Green said: “This is my first attempt to write directly about the kind of mental illness that has affected my life since childhood, so while the story is fictional, it is also quite personal.”

Aza’s mother’s consoling words, ‘Your now is not your forever’ have particularly resonated with readers around the world, and have subsequently been used to inspire Penguin’s latest campaign.

Share #YourNowIsNotYourForever with a branded quote on Facebook and Twitter, or get creative with your own inspiring image on Instagram. For each of the first 10,000 uses of the hashtag from July 2nd, Penguin will donate £1 to Mind. Money raised will go towards supporting the charity’s vital services, including their hotline, information services, and campaigns.

Ben Horslen, Publisher at Penguin Random House Children’s spoke about their latest campaign: “It was the powerful authenticity of John’s depiction of mental illness that made us feel it appropriate and vital to support a leading mental health charity such as Mind, which has led the conversation around this important issue in the UK. I’m certain that Turtles All The Way Down will continue to help keep that conversation at the forefront of the public consciousness and widen awareness of the impact of mental illness on young people today.”

Chief Executive of Mind, Paul Farmer said: “We’re delighted Penguin Random House has chosen to support Mind with Turtles All the Way Down by John Green.

“John Green has spoken openly about his experiences of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and this is reflected through the eyes of the teenage character, Aza, in the book. We know how valuable it can be when people in the public eye speak out - Mind’s own research shows this has the power to raise awareness and encourage more people to seek support.

“The partnership will help us to reach a point where anyone with a mental health problem feels able to ask for, and access, the help they need. Money raised will fund our work including our Mind Infoline, information and advice services, and our campaigning to ensure everyone who has a mental health problem gets support and respect.”

Turtles All The Way Down was published globally in October 2017. It tells the story of 16 year old Alaza, a young woman looking for clues in the disappearance of a fugitive billionaire while grappling with mental illness.

Award-winning author John Green is the bestselling writer of Paper Towns, The Fault In Our stars, and Looking for Alaska. One of TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential people In The World, together with his brother, Hank, John is half of the Vlogbrothers YouTube channel, and co-creator of educational series CrashCourse.

Leading mental health charity Mind provide support, advice, information, and training for better mental health. They campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding. Their confidential information helpline, Mind Infoline, is available on 0300 123 3393 (lines open 9am - 6pm, Monday – Friday except bank holidays).