Taking the Mask Off

I have a unique journey and perspective in that I have a personal history on both sides of the desk. I have been a patient in psychiatric hospitals, an inmate in jail, and a number of treatment centers. Additionally, I’ve worked as an RN supervisor and staff in the same locations – psychiatric wards, jails, and treatment centers. On March 4, 1994, I was committed as mentally ill. Twenty-one years later to the date – March 4, 2015 – I was the charge nurse at the exact same facility. In June of 2014, I started a blog (www.takingthemaskoff.com) which shared some of my personal experiences as a patient, staff, and supervisor. I was gratefully overwhelmed with the positive response to my writings. This incredible shared passion of lifting the stigma has prompted me to putting together this book, knowing there are so many people just as eager to break the stigma. This book is divided into five sections – Hope, Purpose, Growth, Wisdom, and Enlightenment. The book follows my life journey from an attempted suicide to inner peace which correlates with these five concepts. Each section also has a theme in regards to the mental health/addiction industry, and parallels with the Four Noble Truths of the Buddhist philosophy. It also utilizes angles from all spectrums – science, personal experience, spirituality, and philosophy. It shares information that agrees with all fields. It is not about religion, spirituality, science, philosophy, or even about my journey – but rather, it is about all of the above and only when they are all in agreement. This approach ensures the most accurate information from all points of view.