The Success Trap

It’s not just the phones. This crucial new investigation into the teen mental health epidemic reveals how rising expectations in school, extracurriculars, and daily life have driven unprecedented levels of anxiety and depression—and shows what you can do about it.

“A call to action for every parent, educator, and policymaker . . . Let it change the way we support our youth on the challenging journey of staying grounded, connected, and inspired.”—Daniel J. Siegel, New York Times bestselling author of Brainstorm, Mind, and Mindsight

Pediatrician, researcher, and former Associate Dean for Curriculum at the Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Dr. Stuart Slavin draws on his experiences working to reverse burnout and anxiety among high-achieving students to argue that the problem isn’t just technology—it’s also the system that demands constant performance. In The Success Trap, he demonstrates how the culture of achievement has become a key contributor to the teen mental health crisis, and how it can be reimagined for better outcomes and greater well-being.

From school and sports to college admissions and parental and societal expectations, young people are navigating an environment where success is demanded at every turn—often at the cost of their well-being. During his tenure as Dean of Curriculum at the Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Dr. Slavin led a program that resulted in an 80% decrease in rates of depression and anxiety among his medical students—all while improving academic outcomes.

Based on his successes, parents will learn to:

• Teach resilience
• Reduce demands and pressure
• And provide kids with more control, more choice, and more opportunities to find meaning and joy

The Success Trap lays out this same three-pronged approach to improving teen mental health, especially during the critical high school years and beyond—without sacrificing performance or ambition. Drawing on years of clinical expertise and educational research, Dr. Slavin offers gentle, practical guidance for parents, educators, and students themselves to help break the cycle and redefine what true success looks like: not just achievement, but mentally resilient, healthy, and happy teens.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs