Monday, April 12, 2010

"Brave Voices for the Ill"

My sister-in-law Ruth Sheehan, a truly bold writer, is a columnist for the local News & Observer. She has often used that space to champion better treatment for the mentally ill.

Recently she started a column saying: "It took a lot of guts to write this book." Which would have gotten my attention even if she weren't related to me.

The book Our Voices: First Person Accounts of Schizophrenia is written by five people who are in treatment. The idea is to get rid of some of the stigma of the illness by busting myths and showing what the experience is and the competence of some who have it. The five decided to use their real names. That was the second gutsy move after writing it.




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2 comments:

Debra said...

That sounds very interesting, Peggy. I just finished reading a book called Hurry Down, Sunshine by Michael Greenberg which dealt with the mental illness of his then, 15 year old daughter. It was sad and riveting but very, very real.

I will check out your sister-in-law's column. I am also intrigued by the title!

Peggy Payne said...

I read an excerpt of Greenberg's book in a magazine, Debbie. I thought it was terrifically well done-- and what an awful thing to have happen.