Perspectives on Mental Health mental health survivors, carers, therapist, family and friends.
This book replaces Voices, first published in 2012. Perspectives reflects peoples' experience of mental health issues through over 20 true stories.
There's the witness of Ted and Hazel (Mum and Dad), and how they handled my acute psychotic episode. Amisha and the early loss of her father. Jonathan, founder of the mental health campaign, Stand to Reason and his experience of bipolar disorder. Jane and the profound effect of her hemiplegia, her depression, and the split with her boyfriend. Peter and Ross, father and son coping with Ross's schizophrenia and his experience, down and out saving the world in New York. Steve, poet and musician with his own depression and the shocking discovery of his brother in law, as he lay dying.
Jenny Bloomer, Steve Walter's former psychotherapist, shares her thoughts, and insights on each of these stories.
As well as individual witness, Perspectives weaves the story of Steve Walter performing at the Edinburgh and Brighton Festival Fringes (with singer/songwriter Steve Anthony).
For workshops on mental health, visit: www.makingconnectionsmatter.com
Biographical Note - Steve Walter
Steve experienced his first breakdown - an acute psychotic episode - in 1997 when he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Since then he has spoken at many workshops, seminars and conferences on mental health. He wrote his memoir Fast Train Approaching... in 2007 and has taken his story to the Edinburgh and Brighton Festival Fringes (with singer / songwriter, Steve Anthony). Perspectives replaces Voices which was published in 2012.
As a poet Steve was first published in The Literary Review in 1984. His poetry pamphlet 'When the Change Came' was published with Indigo Dreams (2016). In 2017, he published Gaia 2020 and more recently GAIA. Being. Alive. in support of Tunbridge Wells Friends of the Earth (visit: www.makingconnectionsmatter.com)
