From the frontlines of the fight for dignity and appropriate treatment for those struggling with mental health challenges, John Deadman, Sam Sussman, and David Streiner offer a social history of mental illness in Canada and the world that is rich in research, personal experience, scientific knowledge, and challenging truths. Reaching back to ancient times, the authors trace the story of mental health treatment and connect past events to the eventual policy of deinstitutionalization in Canada.

As eyewitnesses to the painful fallout of deinstitutionalization, the authors are well-positioned to describe the results of this policy, particularly for the severely mentally ill: incarceration, homelessness, and helplessness. The shocking visibility of these challenges has led to calls for action, but major social institutions, such as government and religious organizations, have been unable to provide lasting solutions.

Invisible Insanity: A Social History of Mental Illness in Canada and the World will appeal to mental health professionals, those who suffer from mental illness, family and friends of those who suffer, and members of society as a whole. It’s an issue that touches all of us in some way, and the authors will inspire readers to advocate for comprehensive care that meets the needs of patients and treats them with the dignity and professionalism they deserve.