May 4, 2017by
Book Review: Beyond Bedlam’s Door by Mark Rubinstein, MD
by Elise Ronan
MAY 3, 2017
A
continuation of the discussion about mental health begun in the book, Bedlam’s Door,
Mark Rubinstein, MD, brings insight into another 21 stories revolving around issues that pervade the lives of so many people. Beyond
Bedlam’s Door, is a compassionate look into the trials and tribulations
of those who suffer from mental illness.
Dr.
Rubinstein shows, once again, the humanity of the people who live with a
variety of mental health illnesses. He shows their vulnerability to those
who lack the compassion of “do not harm.” He reminds us that respect is a
major aspect of how to support and help these patients. By recounting these 21
stories, the author shows us that:
People across a wide spectrum of experience share many
commonalities: fear, courage, guilt, perseverance, duplicity, integrity, guile,
honesty, strength, weakness, and so many other features, which are part of what
makes us human.
The statistics
say that 1 in 5 people in the United States suffer from a mental illness.
Yet
the stigma around psychiatric illnesses abounds. It is only with books like
this one, that teach society that people with mental health illness are merely
human beings in need of help. Dr. Rubinstein shows us that the populace needs
to be more open, honest, and accepting of those dealing with, and managing,
psychiatric issues. It is only with the negating of the stigma associated
with mental illness, that those that suffer from the variety of these illnesses
will be able, without shame, to get the support and medical help that they
need.
*****
Five well-deserved stars!
MAY
is Mental Health Awareness Month
Find more information here:
If you, or anyone you know, are in need of mental health
support, you can also begin by going to NAMI.org:
This book is available May 15.
