Ned Vizzini was the author of four acclaimed young adult books: It’s Kind of a Funny Story, Be More Chill, Teen Angst? Naaah…., and The Other Normals. Ned had spoken at over 200 schools, universities, and libraries around the world about writing and mental health. He wrote about books in the New York Times Book Review and the L Magazine. His work has been translated into seven languages. In 2010, Focus Features adapted It’s Kind of a Funny Story to film written and directed by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck. In 2013, Ned co-wrote the young adult novel, House of Secrets with filmmaker/writer Chris Columbus which was followed by the sequel, House of Secrets: Battle of the Beastsin 2015.
At the Media and Medicine for Communities event, Ned spoke about his personal journey with depression and writing It’s Kind of a Funny Story which was followed by a Q&A on writing and mental health co-moderated by Dr. Bowen Chung, a UCLA child psychiatrist, and Ron Schraiber from the Los Angeles Department of Mental Health. The UCLA Center for Health Services and Society proudly presented Ned with their Award for Excellence in Public Advocacy Through the Arts.
The faculty/staff at the UCLA Center for Health Services and Society were deeply saddened by the loss of Ned Vizzini and express their heartfelt sympathy to Ned’s family and friends.
If you or someone you know is in need of urgent help, please don’t be afraid to seek help. You may reach the National Suicide Hotline 24 hours a day/7 days a week at 1-800-273-8255 or visit http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org for more information. If you live in Orange and Los Angeles County, please call the toll free 24 Hour Suicide Prevention Crisis Line at 1-(877) 7-CRISIS or 1-877-727-4747.