MARK EDWARDS

Life After Care, One man’s survival of an appalling childhood, unaccompanied adolescence, and troubled early adulthood, and his zig-zagging path to relative sanity. This is a heartfelt, true story of how a troubled young boy suffering from mental health issues managed to turn his life around from rock bottom, and what felt like imprisonment in the care system, to become the successful and happily married family man he is today

A Review of Mark’s Story

Mark Edwards: husband, father, grandfather, MBE, vicar, volunteer Community First Responder, Special Constable, and if that doesn’t impress you enough, to top it off he is a survivor of mental illness, homelessness and suicide

The book is written from Mark’s perspective and details his journey through the foster care system, a children’s home, and psychiatric asylum. Having also endured a period of homelessness, he eventually met the love of his life while working in a soup kitchen and the rest is history.

Throughout the book, Mark shares with readers in great detail his experiences with abuse and trauma, anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts and attempts, panic attacks, failed counselling sessions and struggles with his personal relationships. The middle section of the book is particularly compelling as it is his diary entries from the five-month period of time where he was admitted to a psychiatric hospital. Considering his tumultuous past, any reasonable onlooker could consider Mark as a “lost cause”, however, I can assure you he is actually quite the opposite. Awarded with an MBE in 2010, Mark’s story of triumph is truly remarkable.

This book is not just for someone struggling with their mental health – it is an insightful read with lessons to be learned by everyone. Mark’s story invites you inside his mind to experience what it’s actually like to suffer from real, daily battles with mental health; providing solace and companionship for those struggling.

In this book is how Mark shared his entire journey. Sometimes books on mental health can seem so linear. They’re bundled up in nice, perfect little packages – the story starts with the problem, a solution is found, and everyone lives happily ever after. Mark’s story is different. Even later in life after what should have been moments of “peace”, Mark still struggled with transitions, relationships, and mental triggers from his past. Mark’s story is such an important reminder that, like our physical health, mental health is something we have to work on daily. It’s not a destination or something we obtain by reading a book, going to counselling, or taking medicine; we have to actively work towards good mental health and integrate good practices into our daily lives. Mark’s recovery didn’t happen overnight. Comparing it to an Olympic athlete crossing a finish line, Mark explains that it’s what happens behind the scenes that count. While it may seem easy on the surface, it takes hours of dedication and commitment over time to be able to accomplish what we set our minds to. It is a journey taken with daily steps

Another brilliant piece of wisdom from Mark in this book is his ability to find acceptance. Sometimes it can seem impossible to come to terms with our circumstances, accept what we have endured, and embrace it as part of our stories.However, if we ever want to grow, we first have to find acceptance. Mark says, “I began to accept that the things that had happened to me were not my fault nor were they a reflection of my true worth”. Experiencing difficulties with mental health – whether that be triggered by abuse, trauma, or any other disorder – does not make us unworthy of living healthy, peaceful, unstoppable lives. We just have to accept our story and find peace with things from our past that are out of our control.

If you have a loved one who is struggling, read this book. It will help you understand what they are going through and can help you learn how to be there for them. If you’re not personally experiencing any mental health difficulties but just want to learn more about it, this book will definitely help you gain perspective and insight about the mental health movement and why it’s so important.