Penguin Life partners with SANE

Penguin Life and mental health charity SANE are partnering on the release of The Little Book of Lykke by Danish author and happiness expert Meik Wiking.

The book on happiness is being published on 7th September 2017, following on from Wiking's first book, The Little Book of Hygge. As well as an author, Wiking is c.e.o. of the Happiness Research Institute in Copenhagen.

The partnership, drawing on what Penguin Life and SANE have in common - each with an aim "to bring happiness to the lives of more people in the UK who need it". It will practically involve a Q&A session with Meik Wiking hosted on SANE’s Facebook and Twitter; the creation of a SANE branded volunteering information card, which will be distributed in packs to bloggers; and giveaways of The Little Book of Hygge and The Little Book of Lykke on SANE’s social channels, where a campaign will also be launched encouraging people to share photographs of things which make them smile in everyday life accompanied by the hashtag #Look4Lykke. The hashtag is already being used by Meik Wiking and the Happiness Research Institute to collect happiness data around the world.

Marjorie Wallace, founder and Chief Executive of SANE, called it a "transformative project", saying Wiking's book had potential to "lighten, guide and inspire so many". According to the World Health Organisation,around one in six people are affected by a mental health condition in the UK at any one time, while depression worldwide is now the leading cause of ill-health and disability.

“Happiness can be elusive even for people who are mentally healthy," said Wallace. "Many people, such as those with depression or anxiety who are struggling through darker times, may feel they want to give up the fight. That is why this charming and thought-provoking book could lighten, guide and inspire so many." 

Julia Murday, senior campaigns manager for Penguin Life, said: “I’m delighted to be partnering with SANE for the publication of The Little Book of Lykke. Meik’s journey to understand the world’s happiest people allows us to see the good that does exist in this world – bringing this into light so that, together, we can help it spread. A life-affirming read, I hope this book may inspire and enlighten those who are dealing with difficulties in their life, and make them more hopeful for the future.”

Wiking said, although the UK was making strides in breaking down taboos surrounding mental health, it still had "a long way to go". 

“We all know somebody who is dealing with mental illness, whether we are aware of it or not," Wiking commented. "The time for combating stigma around mental illness is long overdue. In many ways, the UK is leading the efforts in breaking down the taboos and the stigma - but there is still a long way to go. That is why I am so pleased to be joining forces with SANE, to raise our voices.”