Beyond crazy

"In any Given Year an astonishing one in five Canadians experience symptoms of mental illness. If it doesn't affect us directly, it certainly affects someone we know. So why is it so frightening? Why do we still have such a long way to go towards understanding and acceptance? Because people are unwilling to talk. Beyond Crazy takes us beyond the barriers of fear and stigma to meet real Canadians from all walks of life who live with or have encountered mental illness and are not afraid to speak out. Using the most honest and compelling language -- and often a good dose of humour -- brave celebrities and unsung heroes tell it like it is. Frequently moving and occasionally shocking, their stories all contain a message of hope and encouragement and point the way to recovery. For the reader who has never experienced symptoms of mental illness, this collection provides a fascinating glimpse into other states of mind. The stories reveal what it is like to journey to the edge of the abyss and back, to suffer psychosis or deep depression, a misdiagnosis, a life-threatening eating disorder, the suicide of a loved one. And they tell of hope recovered, of finding the road back to wellness, of families made stronger than ever. By sharing their experiences, the people in this book make it easier for those who follow, easier for all of us to get past the fear, to move beyond crazy. Book jacket."--Jacket.