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We Don’t Use Words Like ‘Crazy’

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What to expect

An illuminating memoir of life working on the frontline of mental health

'Gripping, empathetic and honest.' Bonnie Garmus

'A beautifully written, hopeful book.' Dr Benji Waterhouse

'Immediately gripped.' Chris Atkins

'Heartfelt and powerful.' Carol Vorderman

We Don't Use Words Like Crazy is a 'professional confessional' from Elliot Sweeney, a mental health nurse who works on the frontline of mental health services. His touching and often humorous memoir lifts the lid on the realities of the profession, in an attempt to highlight the need for compassion for some of the most vulnerable people in the world, and the very committed people that work with them on a professional basis.

Elliot's heartfelt and powerful book is for anyone who wants to know what it's really like to work in contemporary mental health services in the UK, and why people like Elliot stick at it. Described as 'funny, frank and beautifully observed', Elliot's memoir explores all aspects of mental health care, including hospital, youth care, dementia, community care, and the more extreme experience of working with risk, highlighting a service that underpins our society and that reflects the full spectrum of humanity.

'Gripping, empathetic, and honest, this account of what it's like to care for the mentally ill as they sink into schizophrenia, depression, self-harm, delusion, anorexia, dementia and more, is both an education and a wake-up call. Sweeney writes with brilliance about a vulnerable population that deserves our respect and compassion.' Bonnie Garmus, author of Lessons in Chemistry


'A beautifully written, hopeful book from the kind of mental health nurse you'd be lucky to have. If only the NHS had 13,300 more of them.' Dr Benji Waterhouse, author of You Don't Have To Be Mad To Work Here: A Psychiatrist's Life

'Sweeney pulls you into the dark and baffling world of mental health care with a freshness and humanity that is usually missing from other books on the subject. Having spent nine months on HMP Wandsworth, where most of the inhabitants are mentally ill, Sweeney's account struck home, and will hopefully shed much needed light on this scandalously overlooked area.' Chris Atkins, author of A Bit of a Stretch

'A heartfelt and powerful account of what it feels like to be on today's mental health front line. The shortages of staff and resources in this area of critical care is appalling. These dedicated professionals need all the care and support we can give them.' Carol Vorderman

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