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Out of The Well : My Battle with School Bullying and Severe Depression.
"Lisa tells us what it is like to be the victim of extreme school bullying, what thoughts filled her mind during her bouts of manic depression and what it was like to be hospitalised, institutionalised and homeless."--Provided by Melbourne Books (Publisher)
Other Evelyn Field.
Other Evelyn Field.
125 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2008
17 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
February 7, 2018
Out of the Well is a quick read, but packs a punch. Literally. It is a brave account of Lisa's experience with school bullying and mental illness. She shares journalling and poetry written at her lowest ebb to give us a window into her frightening, turbulent thoughts.
Her story sends a strong message to parents, teachers and bullies alike. Name-calling, taunting and shoving are not acceptable. A situation shouldn't need to escalate to physical abuse before it is addressed. Lisa asked her teachers for help and was patted on the head and sent on her way. Her parents made her go back to school. The school should have done more and she won a court case to prove it.
Lisa also highlights issues within the healthcare system for patients with mental illness. Once, she was discharged from hospital, after being told, "You're not enough of a suicide risk."
The book raises questions about the correlation between abuse and mental illness. Lisa acknowledges that she probably suffered depression even before the bullying (and probably always will) but I have no doubt that the abuse exacerbated her condition.
This is not a book for deep literary analysis; it should trigger discussion and reform about how society treats bullying and depression.
Her story sends a strong message to parents, teachers and bullies alike. Name-calling, taunting and shoving are not acceptable. A situation shouldn't need to escalate to physical abuse before it is addressed. Lisa asked her teachers for help and was patted on the head and sent on her way. Her parents made her go back to school. The school should have done more and she won a court case to prove it.
Lisa also highlights issues within the healthcare system for patients with mental illness. Once, she was discharged from hospital, after being told, "You're not enough of a suicide risk."
The book raises questions about the correlation between abuse and mental illness. Lisa acknowledges that she probably suffered depression even before the bullying (and probably always will) but I have no doubt that the abuse exacerbated her condition.
This is not a book for deep literary analysis; it should trigger discussion and reform about how society treats bullying and depression.
June 18, 2020
This is an authentic journey that shows just how much bullying can change someone’s whole life in a blink of the eye. Great read and learning for us all 🙏
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November 17, 2021This is the account of someone dealing with mental illness. It’s an indictment of the poverty of empathy in society. From the unevolved state of parenting and behaviour of others in authority, to unquestioned situation normal bully complicit bystander behaviour. And yes, of mental healthcare which, after all the other failures in line before it, must pick up the pieces of what becomes an outsize problem and do it with the inadequate resources allocated to them. An indictment of society’s values.
Eskinazi is a sensitive person. It seems her mother is likely at least partly cold/ emotionally neglectful or inconsistent. Less than secure attachment will leave you vulnerable to further trauma down the road. School bullying was such a trauma for Eskinazi. It was mobbing. Negligence and then denial from school authorities and inadequate mental health care, and of course throughout all, lack of support/ unsupportive family compounded the injury.
At the time of her writing, Eskinazi was still grappling with mental health issues. This cost likely could have largely been avoided had the treatment she received at different stages been better.
I wish her all the best on her mental health journey.
Eskinazi is a sensitive person. It seems her mother is likely at least partly cold/ emotionally neglectful or inconsistent. Less than secure attachment will leave you vulnerable to further trauma down the road. School bullying was such a trauma for Eskinazi. It was mobbing. Negligence and then denial from school authorities and inadequate mental health care, and of course throughout all, lack of support/ unsupportive family compounded the injury.
At the time of her writing, Eskinazi was still grappling with mental health issues. This cost likely could have largely been avoided had the treatment she received at different stages been better.
I wish her all the best on her mental health journey.
June 7, 2020
I only got this book a couple of days ago and have already finished it. Although I don't read many books at all, this author speaks to me. I can relate to it as I was bullied at school, and I think everyone my age should read this to get an inside of the world of bullying, and how it can affect people. I wish people in my school would have read it, to know the feelings it took to move past what had happened.
September 6, 2020
Out of the Well is an extremely moving novel about what it is like to experience trauma such as bullying and how it can impact a person’s wellbeing not only short term, but also long term. I highly recommend this book to anyone with a mental illness or anyone who is wanting to know more about mental illness. The author, Lisa is an incredibly strong person for sharing her story and I admire that strength.
October 11, 2020
I highly recommend this book, it gives you a clear and honest idea how the wrong approach from school and family can change your life forever. Lisa’s story is heartbreaking and full of life lessons. Through her courage we learnt the importance to prevent school bullying, to believe more in our kids (especially when they are seeking help) and as a society, to stop the stigma around mental illness. Lisa reminds us the importance of values like empathy, compassion, trust and how important are to improve our society.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 1, 2021
This book in incredibly eye opening. It depicts the very real experiences victims of bullying and mental health issues are forced to face. This book breaks down stigma surrounding mental health and educates reader's on the harsh life and chaotic internal struggles a large number of people face. With splashes of humour, powerful quotes, real life memoirs and sweet revenge, this book has it all!
March 16, 2021
I read this book in 1 sitting as I couldn’t put it down. It was very moving and really hit a soft spot. The things the author experienced were shocking and she was very inspiring in the way she sought justice.
June 5, 2020
This book was spectacular. I found it very engaging and given I have studied psychology I would recommend it for anyone battling with or who has experienced school bullying. The author Lisa manages to grip the audience and tells a compelling true story of real life events which I found to be extremely moving.
September 28, 2020
Out of the Well is courageous recount of a lived experience of school bullying and mental illness. It is such an engaging novel that draws attention to the impacts of trauma and sends a powerful message to all.
November 25, 2020
Out of the well is such an inspiring read. Courage, strength and resilience are three words that I believe reflect this story. I highly recommend reading this book.
May 11, 2021
As someone who was bullied at school and ended up dropping out this book really resonates with me. This is definitely a form of trauma that people can’t understand unless they have experienced it. A quick read that is well worth it.
December 12, 2015
Oof, did this book give me conflicting feelings.
I love that this book got published, and I read it straight through in one sitting. My story aligns with Eskinazi's in a lot of ways that I rarely talk about because people don't get it. To see so much of what I went through in a book for the first time (to the extent where we even went to the same restaurant as a safe place) was amazing, and brought back things I'd blocked out. Eskinazi deserves major plaudits for telling her story publicly (I couldn't, to the extent I even remember it) and for having the stones to sue (thought about it at the time, didn't). Her experiences with the mental health system felt very familiar, and again, I'm glad it got told.
People don't get this kind of abuse. They just don't. Everyone has the response of "oh yeah, I was bullied too", and it's just "not like that you weren't". Seeing this get published meant a lot. Because it's not discussed, it's easy to forget that this happens to other people, and oh god so much of her Sandringham and family experiences hit home. I was big enough to hit back so I was rarely assaulted, but otherwise those bits could have basically just been my own story.
And yet, much as I really want to say only nice things out of survivor solidarity, it's not the best-written memoir I've ever read, and my perspective on the aftermath differs from hers in a few ways that really grated on me - not that her experience is less valid, but it stopped me liking the book as much. It's also unfortunately really short.
I am really glad that this book is a thing and I got to read it, and I hope other people read it and maybe learn a bit about what we went through, but it also fell short for me personally in ways that just... made me really wish more of us got our stories out there.
I love that this book got published, and I read it straight through in one sitting. My story aligns with Eskinazi's in a lot of ways that I rarely talk about because people don't get it. To see so much of what I went through in a book for the first time (to the extent where we even went to the same restaurant as a safe place) was amazing, and brought back things I'd blocked out. Eskinazi deserves major plaudits for telling her story publicly (I couldn't, to the extent I even remember it) and for having the stones to sue (thought about it at the time, didn't). Her experiences with the mental health system felt very familiar, and again, I'm glad it got told.
People don't get this kind of abuse. They just don't. Everyone has the response of "oh yeah, I was bullied too", and it's just "not like that you weren't". Seeing this get published meant a lot. Because it's not discussed, it's easy to forget that this happens to other people, and oh god so much of her Sandringham and family experiences hit home. I was big enough to hit back so I was rarely assaulted, but otherwise those bits could have basically just been my own story.
And yet, much as I really want to say only nice things out of survivor solidarity, it's not the best-written memoir I've ever read, and my perspective on the aftermath differs from hers in a few ways that really grated on me - not that her experience is less valid, but it stopped me liking the book as much. It's also unfortunately really short.
I am really glad that this book is a thing and I got to read it, and I hope other people read it and maybe learn a bit about what we went through, but it also fell short for me personally in ways that just... made me really wish more of us got our stories out there.
December 8, 2021
Such a touching story that I know will resonate with so many people. The journal entries make you almost feel as though you’re right there with the author. A very heartfelt, emotional read that the world really needs to hear.
October 20, 2012
It’s not a long book, only 120-odd pages. I think it should be essential reading for every teacher, and every parent. Because no one should have to endure relentless verbal and physical abuse, not in any circumstances. All of us need to work together to develop a culture of zero-tolerance for bullying, in any context, and this little book is a brave attempt to speak up for the victims of it.
To see the rest of my review please visit http://anzlitlovers.com/2012/11/03/ou...
Also cross posted at http://lisahillschoolstuff.wordpress....
To see the rest of my review please visit http://anzlitlovers.com/2012/11/03/ou...
Also cross posted at http://lisahillschoolstuff.wordpress....
January 9, 2021
Out of The Well is a poignant, inspiring and thought-provoking read that I highly recommend to all. Lisa Eskinazi recounts her true experience as a victim of school bullying and how it led to her rapid decline in mental health. Her story highlights the severe short and long-term impacts of bullying on the victim. Lisa represents many others who are let down by their community, the education and mental health system. I am grateful to Lisa for bravely sharing her story with the world and for confronting those who failed her. More voices like Lisa’s need to be heard for greater discussion and essential reforms to occur.
December 7, 2021
I usually find it difficult to get INTO a book and focus on the story line. For me, this book was by far an exception to this rule, A truly shocking recollection of high-school bullies and the devastating impacts this can have on a life. I am extremely touched by Eskinazi's story and it makes me wonder for all those who have not received the justice they deserve. I cried for her, I felt for her, I heard her, and I hope others do to. It was so important for this book to be written and I applaud Eskinazi's courage and strength in claiming her story. I look forward to hearing more of Eskinazi's story and hope she receives the required support to allow us into her life the way she has with this beautifully-gut wrenching story.
June 15, 2022
I am usually not big on reading books but this caught my attention from the very beginning. Working in the mental health field, the unfortunate horror stories of school bullying and it’s long-term impact in one’s life is heartbreaking. And the fact that the system, decades later, still fails innocent young people, like it did for Eskinazi, made my heart heavy. Thank you for sharing this with the world and I would highly encourage those that work in similar fields or have personal experiences to read this. It is an eye-opener and a reminder to us all that this is closer to home than we think.
May 10, 2022
This inspiring novel is an incredible insight to mental illness and the impact of bullying on children and individuals. The author articulates her experiences with such honesty, allowing her readers to live through her words. Her journey is a testament to her strength and character despite challenges some would think insurmountable. A highly recommended read for everyone!
June 26, 2022
A brave and raw look inside the experience of mental illness, the effects of bullying and the mental healthcare system. The journal entries and poetry written during her time in psychiatric wards are particularly insightful and expressive. Lisa speaks her truth in a powerful and authentic way that evokes deep consideration long after the book is finished.
January 11, 2022
Eskinazi shares an incredibly powerful and moving story. Reading this book gave me an understanding of trauma that no other book has done before. The vulnerability in the authors writing makes you feel like you are alongside her journey. Couldn’t put this book down.
April 30, 2022
Great read 😊
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews