Swimming Against The Tide

Swimming Against The Tide is a compelling true story which is a  powerful expose of Mental Health Care and its many shortcomings in our society today.  In her unique position of   both  psychiatric nurse and parent of someone who has a mental health problem,  the author addresses many issues pertaining to mental health, including stigma, shame, discrimination, labelling and powerlessness.

Part one  takes us on a journey through the author`s  deprived childhood, which  helps her to empathise with others, in particular those with mental health problems  who also face discrimination almost every day of their lives.

Part two takes us on a journey through the mental health system, when the author`s son is admitted to the same psychiatric hospital in which she works. Since she poses a threat, due to her experience of both sides of the uniform as nurse and parent, those with power over her son seek to silence her voice. 

Swimming against the Tide is a powerful and important book which illustrates that Mental Health Care Provision in our country is unfit for purpose. Since any one of us can suffer from a Mental Health Problem during the course of our lives, it is in all of our interest to try to Change The Course Of the Tide in Mental Health Care.