Those words ... 'Sectioned under the Mental Health Act'. However, being detained in a Mental Health institution, will probably mark the start of the road to recovery for many. This is a novel about relationships, fears and feelings as it traverses the sometimes-long road to good mental health. Compassionately written, it provides an insight into the care and practice of helping people come to terms with their demons when they are sectioned under the Mental Health Act. This is a thought provoking novel, written with empathy and understanding of the people who find themselves sectioned in hospital and those that dedicate their lives to help and support people to heal their minds. A must read for everyone interested in mental illness - that is, all of us!
About the Author: My name is Francis James. I am a retired Psychologist and Social Worker/Group Therapist and I live on the Greek island of Rhodes. I was born in Edinburgh, but lived most of my life in the north east of England, before relocating to Greece. The Mad Hatter's Tea Party is my first novel. I have written short stories since my early twenties. My mother lived with depression all of her life and this personal knowledge and insight led me to study psychology and work in mental health, always advocating the human rights of an individual. This book also reflects my experience as a non- executive director of a mental health trust. For this role I had direct responsibility for undertaking welfare visits to people sectioned under the Mental Health Act 1983. I was also the founder and chairperson of a parent disability organization, and chairperson of a service user-led mental health community project in the north east of England, the first registered charity of its kind. I remained patron of this organization for many years. I have two daughters, four grandchildren and one great grandson. This book is dedicated to my mother. I am Mary in a different guise and at last I can tell her story in my own way. The book explains how this title feels appropriate for this story. The analogy of getting smaller, sinking underground into a dark tunnel where people behave strangely (albeit animals and birds) I believe, describes my mother's battle with depression, and the many people I have worked with.