The Dark Side Of Me
Title: The Dark Side Of Me: Silently Suffering With Mental Illness
Author: Kyra Leslie
Publisher: CreateSpace Publishing Platform
Number of Pages: 170
About The Author
Lyra Leslie is a Registered Nurse who has a Masters Degree in Nursing Administration. She is currently the Associate Director of Nursing for a psychiatric unit in Less Summit, MO.
About This Book
Short stories of Individuals who silently suffer from mental illness due to the stigma society has placed on it. Stories of fear, depression and pain that wreaks havoc on millions.
The Dark Side Of Me: Silently Suffering from Mental Illness Book Review
Kyra Leslie wouldn't have imagined herself writing about a serious topic such as mental illness in which that has an effect on so many individuals including myself in so many different ways. Mental Illness in the Black Community a topic that most individuals refrain from talking about due to the sensitivity of the subject which often leads it to being ignored. Also because mental illness is consider a taboo in the Black Community. It could be either because of the uneasiness of the unknown, or individuals not being as sympathetic to its illness as they would be to a physical illness.
Without regard to for a person like me, because of now knowing what I do know in relation to mental illness, I truly believes there is no better way to be a voice for those individuals who suffer from it, because we need more books about Mental Illness. The purpose of that so we can learn more about the illness and to break the stigma. Approximately 50% of adults experience a mental illness at some point in their lives. More than half of these people experience moderate to severe symptoms. In fact, 4 of the 10 leading causes of disability among people aged 5 and older are mental health challenges, with depression being the leading cause of all illnesses that cause disability. Unfortunately, despite the high prevalence of mental illness, only about 20% of people who have a mental illness receive professional help.
For Kyra Leslie having found out in her late teens that her own father had a mental illness, She started becoming pre-occupied as to when and if she also was going to one day suffer from the illness in which her father did. Having heard of the many rumors and opinions from others regarding people who suffered from mental illness, just like many Kyra was frightened to even think about what would happen to her had she ever been diagnosed with it. She was ashamed of being born from someone who she thought was crazy; and honestly, feared that one day she was going to be looked at as being the same. Therefore, for that reason alone, she constantly prayed that no one in her circles would find out, while also hoping that her life would be spared the illness that society placed such a stigma upon.
At the time her own mother shared with her what she felt Kyra deserved the right to know, she attempted to explain the behaviors of her father in a way for her to understand why he may have done some of things he did while Kyra was growing up. Knowing that she may have been too young to fully comprehend the nature of what she told her, she always left the door open for Kyra to ask what she wanted and needed to know when uncertainty or the lack of understanding reared its ugly head. Along with her honesty, she also mentioned her own fear of Kyra suffering the disease, and therefore closely monitored her behaviors so that, if seen, she will get the help she surely will need to sustain her mental clarity. I believes that Kyra been fortunate to say that although she have never been diagnosed with the illness that her own father’s life was succumbed with, she along with many individuals, have possibly dealt with some characteristics of the illness (although less severe) that has allowed for her to not only look at who she is, but what she have become because Kyra didn't allow Mental Illness to define her.
As an adult, Kyra take on knowledge of what she know regarding mental illness, and give thanks for being who she truly is despite what she is go through. She constantly give herself permission to accept whatever is going on in her personal life_no matter how brutal or uncomfortable it sits within her and think about how life could be if she were someone who had to live with the crippling illness that could’ve been a part of her life. Kyra strive hard to improve what she is feeling can hinder her mentally, spiritually and emotionally and remain empathetic to those who suffer from what they can’t control. She accepted her imperfectness and appreciate it when she finally recognized the flaws that she failed to acknowledge when she was younger. For that, she found herself attempting to make a difference in the lives of others-especially with mental illness- by helping them to become content in who they are; so that being less than who they think they are doesn’t hinder them completely.
As a nurse manager of a psychiatric unit, Kyra found that the experience of being a nurse serving those with mental illness has allowed her to be more grateful for her own life and all the trials within it. It has led her to having a greater appreciation of her sanity as well as the knowledge that she have gained from being around those who don’t. It has opened her eyes to respect those who suffer from it while also acknowledging their strength in having to deal with the struggles that most individuals don’t. She witness at what they go through, what they will have to continue to go through and how they are often treated; realizing that the struggles that she are going through aren't in comparison to that of those she served. For that, she given her utmost respect and admiration to them including her own father for living life as best as they know how to, while battling what they have to. Kyra mentioned that "the complexity of life for those that we care for in the mental health world is no comparison to those who don’t have to deal with it firsthand". Therefore, her hope for this book that she written is to guide the readers insight into what some people may go through. She wanted people to take the fictional stories she have written and somehow try to place themselves or someone they know within them. She wants the readers to gain an understanding as to why people choose not to share their stories or receive help due to the stigma that our society places on mental illness. She also wants the readers to have an empathetic heart and learn to not judge, but help when one can- to understand that mental illness is real because life is psych and it can happen to anyone.
The journeys that people go through can lead them to a place that gives them no preparation for what is to be expected. A tragic accident, a death, a physical illness, even the slightest change in one’s environment can cause one to not be able to handle that change. That change could one day be the change to make one’s life feel as if they can no longer cope. With that being said, understand that mental illness doesn’t discriminate against gender, age, nationality, religion, creed or financial status. Whether it’s you or someone you love, remember that no one is and ever will be excluded from the crippling and debilitating disease that wreaks havoc on millions around the world. Learn what you can and spread the word to others who may have a lack of understanding; so that one day, you can help someone who may need you to be their blessing. Better yet, spread the word so that there may be more individuals accepting of the illness in case you may need someone to be your blessing.
As individuals, Kyra believe we should believe in the dignity of everyone without passing judgment no matter how hard it may be. Her messages for those who criticize or look down on those who weren’t given a choice as to the cards that life presented them with, is to- “Think outside the box and imagine yourself in the shoes that are more difficult to fill than the ones that you may be wearing.” For those affected by this illness, whether it be you as the individual having to battle it, or one whose a family member, friend or associate- no matter how difficult or trying it becomes; stay encouraged and never give up. Blessings & Peace to you while remembering that you’re not in this fight alone. “If we judge others of what we don’t know and fail to understand, it’s because we may be judging something within ourselves of which we are unaware.” Personally for me a person who struggles with Mental Illness, Kyra Leslie did a marvelous job in writing this book not only sharing her personal struggles with Mental Illness but break the stigma about Mental Illness to educate the readers about the illness.
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