Self-published
ISBN: 978-0615618081
Published April 8, 2012
Paperback 8 1/2 X 11, 140 pages
Nancy Pizzo Boucher is a mother and a
teacher with a son who suffers from a mental illness. Her first book,
Getting My Night Vision, a collection of essays, poems,
stories and notes, reflected the author's painful and insightful
journey in helping her son fight mental illness. (Read my review of Getting My Night Vision) This second book,
Replanting Lives Uprooted by Mental Illness is a practical
guide for families.
It is written in a workbook format with
large font that is easy to read and use. It focuses on what families
can do and the power of their love to help a family member who has a
mental illness. Boucher writes from experience and shares her own
techniques learned through the years. She shows keen insight into
what families will struggle with and lays out simple tools of dealing
with them. The book is as much for the family as it is for the person
with the mental illness.
The book is divided into four sections.
The first one is meant to empower families, which I think is very
important. The second section is where Boucher shares the tools she
and her family have learned to use. The third section is about
advocacy and using our voice to remove the stigma about mental
illness. I liked the exercise she included that had me reading
several situations and analyzing how I would respond. And the last
section is about the insightful things her son has taught her about
mental illness.
Throughout this book, Boucher includes
questions and interactive self-help tools, also included in one
convenient place in an appendix at the end of the book, which may be copied and used in workshops run by families or mental health providers. I
appreciated this the most, along with poems, drawings from her sons,
and other personal tidbits that reminded me that all of us (not only
those with family members who suffer from mental illness) can gain
insight and be reminded of the humanity behind all illnesses that we
sometimes forget. A person is foremost a son, daughter, mother,
father, sister, brother, friend before being a person with a mental
illness.
This is an important book because it is
written not by a professional but by a family member who knows
first-hand about mental illness. Boucher's teaching skills and
compassionate but strong advocacy voice are perfect for families who
need a listening ear. My only suggestion for the book would be to
have it professionally edited. This workbook is recommended for all but especially
families struggling with mental illness. This book is hopeful,
encouraging and empowering.
Note: This book is rated C = clean read.
I will count this book toward the following challenges: I Love Italy Reading Challenge (The author is of Italian origin.)
Reviewed by Laura
Disclosure: Thanks to the author for sending me this book for review. I was not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.
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