My Friend Fox

Author: Heidi Everett

Hardcover

A first-hand account of living with a psych disorder, and the very real trauma caused by the way our mental health system endeavours to 'treat' those who are supposed to be under their care

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PRODUCT INFORMATION

Summary

A first-hand account of living with a psych disorder, and the very real trauma caused by the way our mental health system endeavours to 'treat' those who are supposed to be under their care

Description

‘Tender, wise, and deeply true.’ – Andrew Denton

‘Do not be deceived by the size of this book. It is big in all the ways that matter.’ – Sydney Morning Herald

‘Blazingly beautiful and devastating. I wept but felt less alone as a human. I want everyone to read this book!’ – Favel Parrett, author of Past the Shallows and There Was Still Love

The fox sits on the outer waiting for me to discover him because at the moment, I am on the outer too. He watches me. Can you see him? He’s clever at hiding.

Just like fox, Heidi has lived on the outer. The ‘official record’ of her life has been her mental health record: Primary diagnosis – Schizoaffective; Comorbidity – Major depression, juvenile autism, and not her own memories. This is the living, breathing version of Heidi’s mental health file that psych wards, doctors, mental health staff or rehab workers know little about or worse, use as evidence of diagnoses. This is Heidi’s account of what happened, shadowed by the story of a fox who knows he'll never belong.

Part parable, part memoir, My Friend Fox is a story that might be familiar to some – searching everywhere to finally feel at home. With fox as her guide, Heidi comes to know how to live authentically, and venture into a future of her own making.

A literary memoir about the the wonder, the humour, and the realities that exist beyond what is printed in a mental health file. Alongside Heidi’s beautifully lyrical words are her exquisite line drawings, making My Friend Fox a book to be read, treasured, and gifted.

Praise for My Friend Fox
‘a thoroughly real and stunningly evocative retelling of her life.’ – Books+Publishing

‘My Friend Fox is a beautiful memoir about experiencing diverse mental health. Heidi Everett is generous and gentle in sharing her story in order to demand a better mental health system for all.’ – Carly Findlay, author of Say Hello and editor of Growing Up Disabled in Australia

‘With breathtakingly original prose, Heidi Everett gently guides the reader through the complexities of living with mental illness. Humorous, heartfelt and humane, My Friend Fox is a deeply moving and essential read.’ – Fiona Murphy, author of The Shape of Sound

‘A raw and harrowing glimpse into life lived on the precipice, My Friend Fox boldly rips the facade from our sanitised perception of mental health treatment. And yet it is also tender and beautiful, with wisps of fable sprouting through the cracks; radiant art hewn from the darkness of the abyss.’ – Bram Presser, author of The Book of Dirt

‘If ever there was an authentic voice for survival from mental distress, then this is it. As painful as Heidi Everett’s story is, it is told in the most inventive and magical way. Her use of language and imagery is that of poet who constantly surprises and startles. Creativity and imagination are the soul food that nourish Heidi back to sanity. As does her dog Tigger, her inseparable companion with whom she shares her life and struggles. This is a most wonderful book from a most wonderful writer.’ – Sandy Jeffs, author of Flying with Paper Wings

‘This book is a story of reclamation, resilience and resistance. Heidi reclaims her story from the mental health industry that has defined her based on diagnoses and rewrites it as her own, rich, important experience which holds lessons for us all. My Friend Fox is an evocative and emotive memoir from an outstandingly talented writer. A must read for anyone who has ever felt on the outer.’ – Jax Jacki Brown, disability activist and writer

Critic Reviews

“'The book holds the reader tenderly by the hand whilst at the same time looking you dead in the eye.'”

This memoir from mental health recovery advocate Heidi Everett is a thoroughly real and stunningly evocative retelling of her life as a person with diagnosed mental illness. Everett tells the story of her journey with great honesty and openness, which make both the humour and the tragedy of her experiences all the more affecting. There is much here for readers to identify with, both those whose mental health stories are similar to hers and those who do not have direct experience of such things. Running as a counterpoint to Everett's life story is the story of a suburban fox, constantly on the run from those who would destroy it simply because of its innate qualities. Aware that it is an unwelcome alien in the Australian landscape, Fox must nevertheless find a way to negotiate the threats arraigned against it. Both Fox and Everett must answer the questions: what does the world require of them? Can they meet those requirements? Do they even have to? Everett's words are accompanied by her own stark and moving illustrations, which add a raw and compelling depth to her story. These pictures fluctuate between childlike style and confident line, helping to underscore the emotional tenor of her tale. My Friend Fox is a powerful book that will appeal to readers interested in stories about the experience of mental health in Australia, particularly books with a highly artistic flavour such as Fiona Wright's Small Acts of Disappearance or David Stavanger's Case Notes. Adam Ford is an editor and a published poet.

About the Author

Heidi Everett is an artist, creative workshop facilitator, mental health recovery advocate, social impact facilitator, and projects and events innovator in Melbourne, Australia. My Friend Fox is her first book.