Show Me All Your Scars: True Stories of Living with Mental Illness, multiple authors, edited by Lee Gutkind

Shayna’s annotation: "This insightful book contains multiple short stories, either from the perspective of someone with mental illness or someone who has a loved one with mental illness. These stories help give the readers not only facts to educate them on the illness but also experiences with emotional value to help them further understand the illness. Overall, an amazing book full of depth and factual evidence as well. I loved it."



 

Vaccines Did Not Cause Rachel's Autism by Peter J. Hotez

Ana’s annotation: "Hotez uses his experience as a father of an autistic daughter, and as a pediatrician, to debunk misconceptions about vaccines."






 

America's Jails by Derek Jeffreys

Grace’s annotation: "This book is very detailed in describing how often some basic human rights are not even received by those who are incarcerated. Those stuck in jails often develop or have deteriorating mental illnesses that are neglected by those in charge of the jails. This book is amazing because it highlights how much the U.S. needs to work on mental health systems."




 

"The Journey of One Pregnant Incarcerated Woman Through Systemic Bias: How Family Support Workers Can Positively Affect Change—A Case Study"

An Affilia: Journal of Women and Social Work article by Liana G. B Mason
(Accessible via your library card through the database Academic Search Premier)

Reflection by Tesvara:

This article tells the story of Jane, an incarcerated woman, and the difficulties she faced during and after the birth of her child. Through the life of Jane (a pseudonym), Mason describes the common issues that pregnant women face in prison, including the insensitive social workers and uncaring nurses, and how the women are not informed of their rights or the laws.

Jane was imprisoned for a non-violent crime while she was eight months pregnant. Since the sentencing was very close to the due date of her baby, Jane was told that if she missed it, the jail would need to keep custody of her infant until she received her sentence. Prison officials and nurses are insensitive to her baby and do not give her the support or encouragement she needs during this important part of her life. With a prejudice against her because of her status as a former heroin addict, these officials tried to take away her right to breastfeed. Jane was also not allowed to be visited during labor.

After birth, Jane was unable to spend time with her child although, according to the law, mothers in prison are allowed to maintain custody of their child for 18 months. Even though Jane tried to use the law to force prison officials to allow her to be with her child, the case did not go in her favor because of prejudice and the lack of prior case laws as precedents. This means that prisons have a greater advantage over prisoners in a lawsuit. Through Jane, this book thoroughly describes the difficulties that a mother in prison faces.

No Pet Left Behind by Gayle Martz

Diana’s annotation: "This is an amazing book because it portrays the different ways to take care of animals at home and on the go, and treat them with the right respect."





 

Abortion in the United States by Dorothy E. McBride

Alexis’s annotation: "Pro-choice vs. pro-life—this talks about 90’s views and data."





 

 

"A mixed-methods investigation into the perspectives on mental health and professional treatment among former system youth with mood disorders"

By Michelle R. Munson, Sarah Carter Narendorf, Shelly Ben-David, Andrea Cole
American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, Vol 89(1), 2019. pp. 52-64.
(Accessible at any NYPL branch via the database EBSCOhost)

Reflection by Alexis:

This online article covers a study with the intentions to reveal the significant factors in play when it comes to mental disorders and treating mental disorders in young adults with a history of using several means of public systems of care in their childhood. It compiles several studies done on people with mood disorders in the age range of 18-25 and focuses on what were their perceptions of their own mental illness, and their treatment options while transitioning into adulthood. The results of the study revealed common themes which were frequently present in the interviews of the participants, such as how many claimed family was the primary cause of their problems, and how poverty played a role.

Environmental, social, and cultural factors were much more significant in what the individuals perceive of what may be the causes and consequences of the illness, possibly even more so than the illness itself. In this particular study, poverty, trauma, and "familial ruptures and public system discontinuities" shaped how the participants believed their symptoms came about.

For example, some participants who have been affected by domestic violence tended to connect their past trauma to their current struggles with their mental health, as providing a cause to what they deal with today. This revealed that social and environmental factors proved to be more compelling than biomedical explanation for their illness. I think that this article rightfully further shed light into marginalized groups who do not get represented enough and are suffering. It was fascinating to see statistics on factors I thought were immeasurable through numbers, and I enjoyed how the article was created to be more easily understood through the formatting of the tables.

Prescription for the People by Fran Quigley

Student’s annotation: "This book gives people a clear view into the availability of medicine. It tells the struggles of people who cannot get the care they need because of factors such as financial status. Quigley provides this view and observes ways to help the situation."