by Tom Ryan
First published 2013
Tom Ryan opens his raw account by confronting a stark reality: mental illness claims more lives than war. Each year, approximately 35,000 Americans die by suicide, while the combined casualties from over a decade of fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq total fewer than 7,000 soldiers. In 2012, more military personnel took their own lives than died in combat. Ryan draws from his personal battle with bipolar disorder and depression to expose the hidden world of mental health struggles. He reveals how 70% of people who seek professional help never report it to insurance companies, fearing the stigma of being labeled mentally ill. Most sufferers never seek help at all, living in isolation and pain. Ryan examines how mental illness can devastate not just individuals but entire families. His uncensored exploration takes readers through the destructive patterns these conditions create. The book concludes with four practical steps Ryan believes can significantly reduce mental illness, offering hope to those who feel trapped by their conditions.
Genres: psychology, mental-health, non-fiction, 21st-century
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: personal-journey, social-commentary
182 pages · Paperback · CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
Content warnings: depression, mental-illness, suicide