Changing Minds: The go-to Guide to Mental Health for You, Family and Friends

by Mark Cross, Catherine Hanrahan

This compassionate and insightful guide will demystify mental health issues and help anyone concerned about themselves or loved ones. Leading psychiatrist Dr Mark Cross, from the acclaimed ABC TV series 'Changing Minds', feels strongly that everyone should have easy access to information they can trust about common mental health problems, whether for themselves or to help family or friends. The result is this empowering guide which aims to cut through the myths and taboos about mental health and offer clear, practical help. It covers a wide range of common issues, from bipolar, anxiety, personality and eating disorders, to depression, post-traumatic stress and schizophrenia, and includes how to get help, what treatments are available and how to live successfully with a mental illness. Most importantly, it shows how carers and families can help a loved one through what can be a very challenging time. Since almost half of all Australians will experience a mental health issue at some point in their lifetime, this book is for everyone.

Genres: Nonfiction, Mental Health, Psychology, Health, Australia

320 pages, Paperback

First published June 14, 2016

Reviews

[Ro Weena · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good overview of common mental health issues that people experience. Treatment is broad brush but useful direction. Writing style and the plain explanation and tone makes the material accessible. Looking forward to watching the series.

[Zoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent beginner's guide to learning more about mental health in Australia. I enjoyed the author's kind approach.

[Nex Juice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Changing Minds: The Go-To Guide to Mental Health for You, Family and Friends
by Dr. Mark Cross & Dr. Catherine Hanrahan

I learned so much about the different forms of mental illness from this book!

The categories covered are depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, trauma and stress-related disorders, substance abuse, psychosis and schizophrenia, gender identity and sexual disorders, personality disorders, eating disorders and suicide.

I was surprised to learn that people with mental health disorders are no more likely to be violent than other members of the general population, but they ARE significantly more likely to commit suicide. As a society, I wish we were better educated about how to address this serious problem. Yet again, I feel like government funded public schooling has failed us. Big shocker!!

I've actually decided to go to school to get my Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, a goal I've long considered, thanks to the information in this book. I'm currently in my second semester.

As a live streamer who is open about my previous experiences with depression and suicidal thoughts, I am often approached by members of my community with concerns relating to mental health. I have felt under equipped to help these people to the level I would like, so I sincerely look forward to developing the skills and focused education necessary to do so.

If you'd like to support my goal of obtaining my degree, you can contribute to my GoFundMe at https://www.gofundme.com/nexjuice1

You can watch my full (long) review and summary of this book that I streamed live on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wT5Y9...

[Issy Cat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mainly just information mixed with a few stories of authors patients . Could be helpful for friends and family of people with mental ilnesss or if you are interested in learning about the different mental illness. But you wont learn anything new about your own diagnoses if already had/in treatment.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bastante útil, recoge varios de los trastornos o enfermedades mentales conocidas, permitiendo que aun quienes no están familiarizados con la materia, logren diferenciar entre los tipos de trastornos y puedan identificarlos en la cotidianidad.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

An easy to use guidebook for anybody living with a mental illness or anybody supporting a loved one with mental illness - in other words, helpful for all! Written with compassion and non-judgment and based on an Australian context.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great coverage of the essentials of some of the common and significant mental disorders. Light enough for friends and family of those affected to read.

[Jodi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would encourage everyone to read

[Rikki Gee · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is an excellent book, even though the stats are now outdated. If you have a new mental illness or you're supporting someone who has one or you're thinking about studying them, start here.

[Tamarra Lynch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a powerful read, as I progressed through the book it gave me a more knowledgeable and better understanding of mental illness and those who it affects, for me having siblings who are dealing with mental health issues, this book has given me the foundation in which to use strategies to support them to ensure they live a full life of happiness, health and wellness.

[Gemma · Rating 5 out of 5]

A kind, engaging, easy to read, informative book. Anyone who has experience with mental health, themselves or people they know, would find this book really helpful. I hope it is widely read, it could play a part in shifting the stigma which is often harder than mental health difficulties themselves.

Sadly, Dr Cross' version of treatment is best practice, rather than standard. This is due to a lack of funding, and mostly a lack of compassion in our health care system (aside from the outstanding practitioners, and there are some). At least if we know how we or others should be treated, we can start to demand it. Awareness, discussion, kindness and self advocacy are some of the most powerful tools we have in this area, and Changing Minds contributes to all of them.

[Ruby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this because I was so impressed with Dr Mark Cross and his approach to his patients in the ABC TV series about mental illness. Dr Cross is the kind of psychiatrist every vulnerable person deserves and too few people get, in my opinion. I am impressed by the work the authors have done, reducing stigma and combatting the arguments used so often to shame people who are already so down. This book didn't really tell me too much I didn't know already, but I guess I am someone who has lived experience and an active interest in mental health provision. I think this would be a great book to give to people who are newly diagnosed, and family members who may be struggling to come to terms with a loved one's illness. For them, I would give it five stars.

[Olivia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book if you're interested in mental health or work in the field. Good to keep on hand to reference. Easy to read, would recommend for parents who have children suffering mental health problems.