This Book Will Change Your Mind About Mental Health

By: Nathan Filer

Narrated by: Nathan Filer

Length: 7 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

Schizophrenia: whether it's the associations it conjures or the people it brings to mind, it is a word we all have a view on. How we perceive it - and how we treat people living with it - is at the core of how we understand mental health.

But what do we really know? How much time do we spend listening? Do we truly comprehend this complex and often contradictory diagnosis?

In This Book Will Change Your Mind About Mental Health Nathan Filer, mental health nurse and award-winning writer, takes us on a journey into the psychiatric wards he once worked on. He also invites us to spend time with world-leading experts and with some extraordinary people who share their own stories - true stories - about living with this strange and misunderstood condition.

Along the way, he helps us open our minds to new ways of thinking about mental health, about each other, and about ourselves. This Book will Change Your Mind About Mental Health debunks myths, challenges assumptions and offers fresh insight into what it means to be mad. And what it means to be human.

This Book Will Change Your Mind about Mental Health was previously published under the title The Heartland.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2019 Nathan Filer (P)2019 Faber Audio

Critic reviews

"I cannot recommend it highly enough." (Caitlin Moran) 

"Brims with compassion and wit." (Cathy Rentzenbrink)

"Absolutely blew me away." (Jo Brand)

This book will change your mind

And I sincerely hope it also changes the minds of commissioners of services, clinical staff and those at the sharp end of mental health services. I wish Mr Filer would turn his attention to CAMHS, the education system and why so many of our young people are becoming mentally unwell so young. This is a profoundly humane book and I hope it changes systems as well as minds.

Must Read for All, but especially those with experiences of psychosis or involved in their lives

A really thoughtful and human approach to explaining the experience and what the western world currently knows and understands about the very human experience of psychosis.

As someone who’s experienced it myself it was nice to have the views of other individuals who’ve experienced psychosis given almost as much weight by someone who’s worked in the mental health services.

It was uncomfortable at times hearing accounts that resonated with my own experience so much but also uplifting to hear from accounts of individuals who have been able to have lives after psychosis.

I particularly appreciate the authors balanced and pragmatic approach to describing the issues around neuroleptic medication use that was honest but also didn’t jump into one side of the hard pro or anti medication camps.

Insights to challenge assumptions about psychosis

If you, or someone you love has experienced psychosis then you MUST read this book. if you know anyone working in mental health services in the UK then buy them a copy of this book. All psychiatrists, for example, should be issued with a copy with their RCPsych membership and forced to read it before giving their first diagnosis and writing their first prescription.

Compelling accounts of people's lived experience and a critique of the treatment and care those with psychosis are offered, combine together to make this account as accessible as it is rich. It is written well, not too heavy but not at all simplistic. The authors ease with the subject is evidence of his long experience of working in the system as well as with people experiencing psychosis. He has delivered great insights and wisdom, as well as comfort and hope for a challenging and difficult experience or experiences, for families, friends and colleagues.

Excellent. Enjoyable. Informative.

👏👏👏

The Inexact Science of Mental Health

This book raises more questions about mental health and schizophrenia than answers. It is clear that the field of mental health is far from an exact science and diagnosis and treatment are both problematic. How often do psychiatrists agree on the same diagnosis ? How often are the labels assigned to patients changed ? Does medication improve patients or make them worse ? You would think that a book that raises more questions than answers is not useful but a sceptical and questioning essay on the “science” of mental health serves a purpose. Much in the field is still in dispute !

A wonderful sensitive and kind book should be read

A truly very wonderful kind and compassionate book that should be read by absolutely everyone.

Well written informative and entertaining

I sought this book out after being encouraged to read it by a fellow mental health professional. I then discovered it was written by the author of “The shock of the fall” recommendation enough!! I was not disappointed. The author narrates well( not always the case as audible listeners will know) and tackles the subject with respect and compassion. If you have any interest in understanding Schizophrenia this book offers a well informed and thoughtful perspective, with compelling stories of people’s own experiences.

Endlessly fascinating!

I have long thought that a lot of psychiatric medicines are extremely blunt tools. This book hasn’t made me change my mind! I really appreciated how balanced Nathan has been in this book. I cannot see life in black and white and certainly feel that mental illness is a whole rainbow of colours. I passionately hope that all people in mental distress get listened to and given the opportunity to tell their stories in the way that they have in this book. I have and will continue to recommend this book to anyone who is interested in mental health matters

Eye Openner

I absolutely loved. It gave me a better understanding about Mental Health I including my own illness.

So called Schizophrenia

This book provides a lot of evidence to question the diagnosis of schizophrenia and points out that medication for the condition often gives the patient another illness.
It is a must read for any psychiatrist or GP

absolutely a different way to view mental health

I found this book both entertaining whilst giving an insight into mental health a lovely easy read