Creative Writing

The Art of Misdiagnosis

By Gayle Brandeis Synopsis: Gayle Brandeis’s mother disappeared just after Gayle gave birth to her youngest child. Several days later, her body was found: she had hanged herself in the utility closet of... View

My Son was the Messiah – Chapters 6- 10

By Jane Read Dan receives an important text message and embarks on a London walkabout. To access previous chapters, visit Jane Read's Author Page. View

Outside, the Sky is Blue

By Christina Patterson This is an extract from my family memoir, Outside, the Sky is Blue. My sister, Caroline, was diagnosed with schizophrenia in her late teens. My brother, Tom, was an academic... View

‘This feels more like spin-the-bottle than science’: my mission to find a proper diagnosis – and treatment – for my son’s psychosis.

By Tanya Frank I wrote this piece about my son living with psychosis for the Lifestyle column of the Guardian Weekend Magazine. I received message after message from people telling me their own... View

Coffee, No Sympathy

By Jenny Sanders This piece recounts an earlier point in my journey through the mental health system with my daughter. It was my first experience of a so-called carer support group. View

Filing Papers. Picking Apples

By Jenny Sanders In my writing, I am examining the gap between system promises and family reality, the hidden costs of prolonged crisis response on family wellbeing, and the overlooked trauma experienced by... View

Why me?

By Sarah Hampton A short passage to portray the bleakness of a son's depression following months of bipolar mania. Combined with the enduring love shown by a Mum at his side, despite everything.  View

My Son was the Messiah – Chapters 1 – 5

By Jane Read Our son was in his final year at drama school when we were plunged headlong into a protracted nightmare. He developed the unshakeable belief that he was God's Messiah, destined... View