About This Book
A parent would reach for this book when their teenager is struggling to navigate the heavy, confusing reality of a parent or loved one suffering from severe clinical depression. It is particularly helpful for teens who feel a crushing sense of responsibility to fix or save a family member, only to find themselves drowning in the process. The story follows Billy as his father descends into a catatonic-like depression, detailing the family's desperate, unconventional attempts to help him and the subsequent strain on their own lives. It masterfully addresses the guilt, shame, and isolation often felt by children of parents with mental illness. This is an essential read for providing a realistic, non-judgmental framework for understanding that mental illness is a medical crisis, and that it is okay, and necessary, for the caregivers to seek professional help for themselves as well.
