Jane Hersey
My story was profiled by the Manchester Jewish Telegraph soon after publication in 2012. There have been no challenges to my version of events via the Manchester Jewish Telegraph or any other media source. The aim of my writing is to attempt to raise awareness of the severe and prolonged effects of ongoing psychological trauma, poverty and deprivation.
I live very happily in Blackpool. I have many interests apart from writing, I love cats, gardening, and music. My son Paul is now in his mid forties he is an associate medical professional and a listener for the Samaritans. I am proud to say he too has a social conscience and raises awareness of social inequality.
"Breath in the Dark is a simply told, yet incredibly powerful, autobiographical story written from the perspective of a socially isolated child, in the depths of poverty, caring for her mother who is struggling with mental and physical health problems. Written predominantly to highlight the desperate struggle and impact that young carers face, it also touches on issues such as binge eating disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression and a reliance on prescription drugs. Although the book is set in the 1960s so much of the stigma, hardship and desperation are still very much relevant in today's society.
In summary, Breath in the Dark tackles some very difficult and emotive issues in a simplistic way, which really enables the reader to focus upon the devastating impact that unsupported mental health issues can have on a family." Beating eating disorders (Beat) review
"For the last 3 years, we have organized a Skype link between our sixth form students and Jane as part of their studies of Clinical Psychology and Depression. Jane has been very open and spoken in depth about her books and experiences, as well as answering their questions about depression. The students find this to be an incredible experience that ignites their curiosity and helps them to understand the real world application of the content we study. Their comments below speak for themselves. I cannot recommend this experience strongly enough to other schools who teach Clinical Psychology and Depression - get in touch with Jane and your students will thank you for it!"
Davina Kateb
Teacher in charge of Psychology
Seven Kings High School
"Thank you Jane, You've helped our understanding a lot and broadened our understanding outside the syllabus. You're inspirational." Take Care - Yasmin
"Dear Jane, thank you so much for talking to us. Not only did it help us with our A2 knowledge but we also learned how to deal with difficult things our self. So thank you again." Santhiya
"This book is a self-written memoir of the early years of a young girl growing up in Manchester with an ill mother and uninterested father, shunned by the wider family and little help from the local community. She is left to fend for herself and her ill mother with little money and living in general poverty, the struggles she suffered and bullying at school further isolated her from any normality in life. The emotions she went through are clearly felt throughout the book. Fantastically written left me feeling emotional for the childhood she lost. I would recommend this book to professionals, survivors and anyone wanting to learn and understand the long/short term effects of mental illness, poverty emotional neglect and sexual abuse also the loyal love from child to parent." Napac review
"Full Circle is the follow on story of Breath in the Dark, which follows Jane through her transition from child to teenager to adult and mother and wife. The book is written with great knowledge and outlines the devastating effects of what lacking life skills early on in life can potentially do through the transition stage... I am eagerly awaiting book three so I can find out exactly how Jane found the strength and courage to overcome all that she has been through and be here writing us her memoir." Napac
My story was uploaded onto the HarperCollins online writing community 5 years ago, given an excellent review and taken under consideration for publication. I did not proceed because HarperCollins asked for the narrative to be made less honest and more commercial The aim of my writing is to raise awareness of devastating life experiences that many children and young people still face today. Breath in the Dark and Full Circle were subsequently reviewed by The Madness and Literature Network, University of Nottingham, included on the reading list for student mental health nurses and recommended as a key text for students, parents, carers and clinicians. Napac (The National Association for people abused in childhood) Beat (Beating eating disorders) and PsychCentral USA also reviewed and recommended Breath in the Dark and Full Circle as important reading.
