The Story of this Book

This book has had quite a journey since its initial release in 2020, amidst a worldwide pandemic. It sold quite a number of copies, raised funds for a variety of charities through its sales, and received a traditional publishing offer. Anyone who writes words for a living will tell you that all of the above is very gratifying, particularly the charity part; this was a little book with a job.

The first edition of the book was intended to share what I had learned throughout our experiences of living with mental health issues in our family, and this second edition has been tasked to do the same. Suffice to say those lessons have just kept coming.

Perhaps the biggest lesson is around how far reaching mental health challenges really are, and who this book appeals to.

I initially thought I had written it for anyone supporting loved ones living with mental health issues, but the truth is the book resonated far beyond that. It resonated with people who were themselves struggling; some who had a specific diagnosis and many who were simply having a hard time and needed encouragement.

Never intended to be prescriptive in any way, the book became a vehicle for support and understanding; from one peer to another, someone who had been there.

Since 2020, much has changed. Changed in our family, changed in the world, changed in my perspective on mental health. What has not changed is the increasing need for support.

This second edition of the book still has a job. Through its words - many of which appeared in the first edition and some that are new to this one - that job is to empower, to encourage, and to love.

With all of our heart, let’s do just that.

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