Piece of Mind: A Memoir of suicide, survival, and staying alive, a mental health must-read for 2022

If you want an idea of what a tortured, sensitive, mind is like, this is a must read. Fir anyone struggling with mental health this is a must read. Open, honest and painfully raw in places, Davd lays his heart open in this very readable book.

I live with depression and a lot of this book I can identify with. I think that David Mark as been very open and honest, also very brave to live his life and to tell his story.

A Piece of Mind is a brutally honest account of living with a mental illness, the pain, suffering and impact it has on daily life. David Mark must be applauded for his courage in meeting his demons head-on and making them public. It is a given that he can write well and is funny. The black humour of his suicide attempt on the banks of the Humber made me ashamed to laugh. Through it all, he manages to hold down a job, have a family and find his true love. It is a passionate account warts and all. For me the worst part is reading about how limited the help is from the NHS and how long he has to wait. Alternatively how ruinously expensive private therapy is. Despite OCD, alcoholism and crippling depression, he still writes a best seller and emerges on the other side. That takes guts. Respect.

David Mark’s memoir of mental illness, Piece of Mind, is an astounding, brave and emotionally shattering book. His searing accounts of depression, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and bipolar disease, and the self-destructive behaviours which they can lead to, pull no punches, especially when the punches are aimed at himself. His brilliant writing style conveys with frightening authenticity the hell he’s been through. There is dark humour there, too, and by the end of the book there is hope. Anyone concerned about mental illness, and the lack of support available for sufferers, should read this book. Highly recommended. Brian.

David Mark has given us an honest account of living with mental health conditions. At times heartbreaking with moments of humour he gives us a no holds barred insight into the thoughts and behaviours that can occur when our minds play tricks with us. One of the stand out things for me was David's questioning of these thoughts and behaviours, asking himself is this because of my mental health or just because of who I am anyway and that honesty was really refreshing. It is amazing to see mental health talked about so honestly and openly. This book highlights how hard it is to live with intrusive thoughts constantly yet also never feels hopeless. The understanding from David that he may never get over these things yet learns to live with them rather than suffer from them is inspiring. The road to recovery is a bumpy one with ups and downs and this authors honesty shows us that despite the bad days there is also joy to be found. Refreshingly frank and forthright.

Lots of this book touched me in in uncomfortable way and it has taken months for me to finish it. I'm in the grip of my own mental health issue and felt like I was reading about myself in parts. Raw stuff but well worth a read. Great for folk like me , I'm not alone! and Great for non sufferers, ffs just take a peek into my head ! Awesome.

Piece of Mind is an eye-opening introduction into one man's lifelong battle with mental health. David Mark is frank, honest, humorous and detailed about the life he has led, the harm he has done, the battles he has overcome and the loving family he fears he may destroy.Read it if you have mental health issues of your own. Read it if you know anyone suffering from mental health issues. Read it because you will know somebody who is suffering from mental health issues but you might not realise.It's not an easy read but it is enlightening, and should be compulsory reading for everybody.

This book helps to see into the mess and chaos of a person with complex mental health.A view of a strong, emotional, man staying alive.