My Mum Has Depression

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My Mum Has Depression

by Nina Mitchell

My Mother Has Depression is a beautifully illustrated book that explains depression in simple words and pictures suitable for children of all ages. Nina wrote this book as a result of her personal experience to provide a tool to adults so they can start the conversation with children. It would be an excellent resource for families, teachers, school guidance officers, public libraries, social workers, community aid centres, etc.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Hi. My name is Nina Mitchell. I am the mother of three boys, a qualified primary school teacher and now a first-time author. I have also suffered from depression for several years.
While being treated for depression, I have found it challenging to explain to my sons the highs and lows of this illness and what it means to them. My association with fellow sufferers has led me to the conclusion that like me, most adults also have difficulty explaining what depression is to their children.
My answer was to write and self-publish my picture book, My Mother Has Depression. It explains depression in simple words and pictures suitable for children of all ages. The purpose of my book is to provide a tool to adults so they can start the conversation with children. The purpose of the exercise is not to make lots of money but to offer a service to others with a similar affliction.

The more people recognize what depression is, the more they will hopefully try to understand the condition. Explaining it to our offspring is a good start.

HOW TO BUY

Nina self-published this fabulous book and you can buy it from her websitehttp://www.nutsaboutnina.com.au/buy-now.html (scroll down the page on Nina’s website to see the link to buy)

Back From The Brink Too

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Back From The Brink Too

by Graeme Cowan

 

Family members of people with mental illness play an enormous role in providing care and support for people living with depression, as well as other forms of mental illness.

Back From The Brink Too provides much-needed practical guidance for family carers and raise awareness of the key role they play in helping to manage mental illness, but it also works to reduce the isolation many families experience.

It wasn’t until Graeme recovered from his own depression did he come to understand the tremendous toll that the illness caused his family.

This book details discussions with well-known and everyday Australians about their personal journey of enduring and overcoming clinical depression. Graeme asks the tough and poignant questions of each interviewee, offering insights into their often dark and tumultuous experience. The stories are honest, first-hand accounts from people like Petria Thomas, John Konrads, Geoff Gallop, Les Murray and Margaret Olley and offers inspiration and hope for sufferers and their friends and family that there can truly be a day when loved ones come a back from the brink. The interviews are written in a Q and A format and are supplemented by the results of a 3000-person survey, resources from multiple organisations and research from the Black Dog Institute.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR – GRAEME COWAN

Graeme has had a reasonably successful business career, most recently as a corporate head hunter. He is divorced and have two children. He has had five major episodes of depression since I was 21. The last episode was by far the worst and lasted five years.

During that time he went through an extraordinarily difficult period which resulted in 4 hospitalisations and a suicide attempt. He tried 23 different medications, underwent ECT (shock treatment) on 19 occasions, tried Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, been coached in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and participated in many other programs related to the treatment of clinical depression. Since October 2005 he has gradually been climbing out of the fog

Graeme lives in Gordon, NSW and has been a strong supporter of our dNet. He has spoken to many ‘dNetters’ in researching for his book, including depressioNet Founder, Leanne Pethick.

 

HOW TO BUY

To purchase this book and or find out more about the author please visit Graeme Cowan’s website:I am Back from the Brink

Publisher: Bird In Hand Media

ISBN: 0980339316

Living With a Black Dog

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Living With a Black Dog

By Matthew & Ainsley Johnstone

Millions of people will suffer from depression at some stage in their life. When the Black Dog comes to live with us, it also moves in with our loved ones – who may not have the tools to help and support us while looking after their own wellbeing.

‘Living With A Black Dog’ is Matthew and Ainsley Johnstone’s illustrated, must-have guide for the partners, family, friends and colleagues of depression sufferers. It includes practical advice about recognising the symptoms of depression in a loved one, living with a depressed person and helping them to tame their Black Dog.

Matthew and Ainsley also provide tips on self-preservation for carers, so they don’t come to adopt a Black Dog of their own.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS, MATTHEW & AINSLEYJOHNSTONE

Matthew Johnstone is a highly regarded artist, writer, and exhibited photographer who has worked to train his own “Black Dog” for more than 20 years. New Zealand born, Matthew worked in advertising in San Francisco and New York before moving to Sydney, Australia, where he now lives with his wife Ainsley and their daughters.

Matthew and Ainsley, who has lived with Matthew’s black dog for many years, wrote this book together.

Matthew speaks often to community groups throughout Australia and has presented with our dNet Founder, Leanne, at a number of ‘get togethers’ to increase awareness of depression organised by ‘people like us’ in rural areas of Australia .

HOW TO BUY?

Available from all major bookshops in Australia or online from Boomerang Books

Published by: Pan McMillan Australia

ISBN: 978-0-330-42371-7