Beneath the Surface: A Teen's Guide to Reaching Out When You or Your Friend Is in Crisis

“An in-depth guide that can educate and empower teens in crisis. An important book that should be purchased for public and school library collections.”
— School Library Journal

“Beneath the Surface is a thoroughly ‘kid friendly’ and comprehensive guide that provides the information, encouragement, and tactical guidance you need to help yourself or others. . . . Exceptionally well written, organized and presented.”
— Midwest Book Review

“Beneath the Surface is critical to any parent, whether or not the parent realizes it. As a man who never took one psychology course, I appreciate that Kristi Hugstad wrote about a serious topic in a way that I could embrace and learn from. This book not only changed my life, it changed the life of my child.”
— Kevin Thaddeus Fisher-Paulson, columnist, San Francisco Chronicle

“Exploring everything from the addictive effects of excessive video gaming to the warning signs of alcohol and drug abuse, Kristi Hugstad leaves no stone unturned in her quest to raze the stigma of depression. She does so in a way that is effective, accessible, and highly informative. A must-read for anyone wanting permission to help themselves or a friend, this book reads as though it’s reaching out to grab you and hold you in your time of need.”
— Regina Louise, author of Somebody’s Someone

“Each year as a high school teacher, I see more and more students struggling with depression, anxiety, and overwhelming stress. Beneath the Surface is a powerful work that uncovers the growing epidemic of pressures facing adolescents today and offers the tools necessary to help students navigate these pressures directly. Kristi Hugstad’s writing eloquently and accessibly captures the depth of these issues through her own story as well as the stories of others. When you find yourself wondering what you can do, or you have a student who is struggling, here is a book that can help. It is a starting point for a conversation that just might save someone’s life.”
— William Meyer, author of Three Breaths and Begin

“In Beneath the Surface, Kristi Hugstad writes about how to recognize the warning signs of depression and suicide and shares valuable resources that we can all use to prevent suicide. As a college professor who interacts with young students on a daily basis, I experience how the epidemic of stress and poor mental health is affecting the personal and professional lives of my students. This is a must-read for high school and college students, parents, healthcare providers, and educators. Read this book — and apply it.”
— Mahtab Jafari, professor of pharmaceutical sciences, University of California, Irvine

“Beneath the Surface is a well-written outreach mainly to adolescents, but frankly to anyone seeking to help a family member or friend suffering with depression and suicidal ideation. Kristi Hugstad struggles to come to grips with her own riveting experience of losing a husband who completed suicide despite her best efforts. Hugstad weaves together science, psychology, and social connections by relating the poignant stories of adolescents suffering from depression. The book describes groupings of common clinical manifestations of depression to provide a guidepost to assist teenagers and others who come into contact with adolescents with malignant suicidal ideation. She provides scientific knowledge and her own experience to promote awareness and offer tools for dealing with deep depression and high suicide risk. A great read that’s clinically relevant and helpful.”
— Nadine Levinson, DDS, clinical professor, psychiatry, University of California, Irvine, School of Medicine; training and supervising psychoanalyst, San Diego Psychoanalytic Center

“As I know from personal experience, the teenage years are often the most difficult and challenging in a human being’s life. This book offers invaluable insight and support that will help any troubled teen come through the turbulence of those years.”
— Steve Taylor, PhD, author of The Leap and The Calm Center

“My hope is that Kristi Hugstad’s book Beneath the Surface will give teens hope and insight into their emotional lives and help them emerge stronger, as well as wiser.”
— Maureen Healy, author of The Emotionally Healthy Child

Kristi Hugstad is a certified grief recovery specialist, speaker, credentialed health educator, and grief and loss facilitator for recovering addicts. She frequently speaks at high schools and is the host of The Grief Girl podcast and talk radio show. She lives in Orange County, California.