More than half of Australians will experience a mental health illness at some point in their life. These conditions–which can vary from symptoms of anxiety to clinical depression–can have far-reaching effects on the individuals who are diagnosed with them. While good mental health is often encouraged in a clinical setting, those who suffer from mental health ailments often find themselves facing feelings of loss, confusion, and helplessness when tackling their mental health problems.
Cindy Lee Neighbors, MD, who is a retired US Army physician and writer, has experienced the trials of navigating the world of mental health issues firsthand. Her memoir, TOO MUCH, chronicles her journey of self-discovery and resilience, as well as the challenges of mental health within the demanding field of military medicine.
A number of challenges
Dr. Neighbors is candid in the way she shares the obstacles she faced in the workplace, highlighting the culture of silence that still surrounds mental healthcare. Despite campaigns like “How’s your head today?”, “R U OK?” and #YouCanTalk, many still struggle in silence.
She overcame numerous challenges by “seeking therapy, finding solace in art and writing, and ultimately leaving the toxic environment that was harming my well-being.”
“Even in our darkest moments, we are never alone.” – TOO MUCH
By sharing her story, she hopes to encourage others to seek help and find their own paths to healing.
Born in Hawaii, Dr. Neighbors developed her skills as a storyteller from a young age. Her background as a physician and veteran, combined with her experiences with mental health challenges, has given her a unique perspective on the intersection of medicine, military culture, and mental wellness. She wrote her memoir, TOO MUCH, to bring light to these complicated conversations, as well as to share her story to help others. She considers the publication her “greatest accomplishment.”
Dr. Neighbors’ memoir isn’t written in a typical style, however. Told in a more present narrative than what is usually seen, TOO MUCH follows Neighbors from the beginning of her journey. Its jarring first sentence, which begins with this is better than jail or a psych ward, delivers a brutal opening to a poignant memoir that showcases the ups and downs of mental illness.
The importance of seeking help
If Dr. Neighbors’ story is any indication of what someone should do when entrenched in the throes of mental illness, it’s that seeking help should be at the top of one’s priorities. With the National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing revealing the prevalence of mental health problems across the world, it is important for people to realize that seeking mental health treatment is no longer as impossible as it seems to be, especially with the rise of telehealth, text-based medical care, and even virtual doctor visits.
Dr. neighors’s memoir, now on audio
Those interested in learning more about Dr. Neighbors’ journey through mental healthcare can find her novel, TOO MUCH, on Amazon. Its recent audiobook release, narrated by Rachael Doolen, highlights the mental health challenges in high-pressure professions, as well as the power of storytelling in healing.
You can read or listen to this gripping true story now on Amazon and Audible Audio.
