Psychiatric Tales: Eleven Graphic Stories About Mental Illness

This is only the second graphic book I have read and I have to say that I like the style. In this case the author relates his adventures working in a psychiatric hospital. He tells the tales with sensitivity and respect for the people he was working with. I was very glad to see that one of his

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stated purposes for writing the book was to help dispel the stigma that is still very strong surrounding mental illness.

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Loved this graphic novel! The author does a great job of creating characters that readers can empathize with, while at the same time providing information about mental illnesses in a way that helps reduce the horrible stigma attached. I would highly recommend this book to those who suffer from a

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mental illness, those who care for people with mental illnesses, and everyone else who needs to know what it's like to have one, and why we should care.

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Fantastic, important book. I fully recommend this without hesitation.

This an interesting look at mental illness from someone who used to work in the area and struggled with their own issues. Its a mix of memoir and a look at the effects of different issues, told in a snapshots and illustrated with endearing black and white artwork. If you are familiar with the

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illnesses and the industry there may not be much to learn here but it's well told and to everyone else fascinating.

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Starkly written and illustrated stories of working as a psychiatric nurse. I think the book is stronger when it illuminates conditions through specific anecdotes, as opposed to Cunningham's more general discussions. A bit depressing.

A personal and quite revealing look at mental illness and how people endure or suffer through them.

Mental illness is a serious business, and anything and anyone that treats those who suffer from them with dignity and respect deserves praise. The art conveys the feelings very well. Recommended.

I first read a couple of these stories online a few years ago and found them compelling, so I grabbed this off the library bookshelf. It's a quick read, but moving; Cunningham's stories ring true, even if his admonitions about the stigma against mental illness are textbook cliches.

A graphic novel that seeks to beat down some of the myths around mental illness, drawing from the author's personal experiences working in a psychiatric ward.

While the style of art wasn't to my tastes, I greatly appreciate the effort that the author put into this. At the very start he explains that

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this is a "stigma-busting book" and that such a thing "is needed because fear and ignorance of mental illness remain widespread in society." I couldn't agree more, which is what drew to this book when I saw it at my local library. His description of the mental illnesses that he discusses is accessible and gives an honest view into the lives of those who suffer. The reason I rated it at the base/ average rating of 3 is because there was nothing truly captivating about the story or the art. Psychology is a big part of my life and what I have my degree in, otherwise I probably wouldn't have continued reading past the first few pages.

I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone for the very purpose that this book was written, though keep in mind it won't be for the purpose of entertainment.

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Sombre but sympathetic look at various mental illnesses. The last story is about the author's own struggle with depression and anxiety.