Local Woman Creates Book to Fight Stigma of Mental Illness
[gtxvideo vid=”7pVeaVUw” playlist=”” pid=”XiOflQdH” thumb=”http://player.gtxcel.com/thumbs/7pVeaVUw.jpg” vtitle=”Woman Writes Book on Mental Illness”]
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time when organizations work to bring awareness to those affected by mental illness. But Alabama’s mental health services are in jeopardy, as the legislature proposes millions of dollars in cuts to the agency.
There are many people working to eliminate the stigma of mental illness. We spoke with a local woman who created a book to help those impacted by it. She says she hopes she can make a difference.
Jessica Azar has been living with bipolar disorder for years. She says it’s the reason she wanted to co-write a book, ‘Surviving Mental Illness Through Humor.’ It’s a collection of short stories about mental illness from different authors.
“It’s 41 different accounts of mental illness,” she says. “41 individual essays by humor writers that are hilarious but also have a different side to them that not everyone would necessarily know about.”
She says the book, which was published last month, aims to help people realize the importance of mental health care.
“One way we’re normalizing it is by being out there and letting people know that we have mental illness. I’m a writer. I’ve done a lot of great things, my life is wonderful. I have four kids that I’m raising.”
The Department of Mental Health rallied at the capitol Wednesday to protest proposed budget cuts that would put mental health services in jeopardy.
Governor Robert Bentley is against the proposed cuts, saying tens of thousands of Alabamians won’t be able to get the care they desperately need.
“If the legislature moves forward with the budget proposal that cuts funding for the agencies, the Department of Mental Health particularly, it will be unable to help those in our communities.”
People like Azar, and countless others.
“We want people to be able to relate or we want someone who has a loved one who has mental illness to be able to read this book and go I understand. You are more than your diagnosis.”
Jessica Azar’s book is available on Amazon.com, where it is getting rave reviews and has five stars. It’s 10 dollars this month for the paperback version and just three dollars if you buy it for your kindle.
41 writers contributed to the book and each of them has selected a charity they will donate a portion of the proceeds to. If you or someone you know is fighting mental illness, there is help available. Contact the National Alliance on Mental Illness at 396-4797.
To find ‘Surviving Mental Illness Through Humor’
http://www.amazon.com/Surviving-Mental-Illness-Through-Humor/dp/0986149802
