Description This book of poetry looks at the issues I have experienced with mental health and other issues I have been through. A gritty book, with honest poetry. The adversity is now over and the book ends with positive poems to show the turnaround I have achieved and the current stability. Even the longest journey starts with a single step. About the Author Steven started writing poems to be able to express his experiences. At 29 he has been through mass adversity and is grateful to be here today. Now stable and progressing well he aims to inspire others and hopes people can relate and emphasise with his work. Steven grew up in Broxbourne, Hertfordshire but became homeless in 2000 and ended up going to Edinburgh. After spending 8 months living on the streets he was offering a nice 1 bedroom flat. With 2 weeks he started on a new deal scheme and got paid work on the new deal coffee stall. When his substance use spiralled out of control and his mental health detoriated he fell ill and over a 4 year period was admitted to A&E many times from self harming and attempted suicide. Also spending a lot of time in psychiatric hospital he found writing a great release of thoughts and experiences. In 2005 he decided to move back to Hertfordshire to be closer to family and to make a fresh start. After a few hospital admissions things got better and by 2008 Steven was substance free and experiencing a level of stability unknown before. Those natural ups and downs were a blessing and this new found freedom allowed Steven to begin the journey towards recovery. In 2009 Steven gave up alcohol as well as this was becoming an issue. With this book being published is a great achievement for Steven and likes to describe himself as a survivor of distress. Having recently set up a community project to help people with mental health illness within Hertfordshire and is trying to raise awareness to reduce stigma and discrimination. Steven has found his feet and is beginning to move his life forward.
Words: bedroom flat, flat bedroom, flat edinburgh, free alcohol

Author: Cowley, Steven
Publisher: Chipmunkapublishing
Illustration: N
Language: ENG
Title: Stitched on Label
Pages: 00000 (Encrypted PDF)
On Sale: 2010-01-14
SKU-13/ISBN: 9781849910125
Category: Psychology : Mental Health
Category: Poetry : General