Mental illness is a subject full of fears and misunderstandings. When faced with things we find difficult and distressing, most of us look away. Darryl Cunningham has both worked inside the psychiatric care system and suffered his own struggle with mental illness. Out of these experiences Darryl has created this book as an attempt to demystify such diverse illnesses as dementia, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and depression. Psychiatric Tales opens the world of the acute psychiatric wards to show the very human struggles of the people within. People who could be our neighbours, siblings, parents, employers or even ourselves.
At times harrowing, but always deeply humane, this graphic novel will open your eyes to the pain of sufferers, but also the hope of recovery found by many.
The work is beautifully, simply handled, allowing the events and the emotions to speak for themselves; the tales themselves are immensely touching and affecting, taking the almost taboo subject of mental illness and shining a light on conditions which can and do affect many people. Cunningham doesn't soapbox to cry for more patience and understanding for sufferers, the stories do that themselves, neither does he pass any judgement on the people coping with various conditions he encounters. As the book progresses he also explores his own issues, including dealing with stress and depression in an equally honest, incredibly touching manner. A worthy addition to works such as David B's acclaimed Epileptic. You can read reviews of Psychiatric Tales on our blog here and here.
Blank Slate Books, hardback, 150 pages, published April 2010
Login
Register
Shopping Cart
Checkout
