Local woman publishes book to help others with mental health issues
Joanne signing copies of her book at Saddleworth Museum
Reporter: Stuart Littleford
A Saddleworth woman who has struggled with mental health issues for most of her life has recently published her first book to help and inspire others struggling with the same issues.
Joanne Lees, 48, from Greenfield, is now a fully a fully qualified person centred counsellor and successfully launched the book entitled ‘Who Am I’ at Saddleworth Museum.
Joanne told Saddleworth News: “I have struggled with mental health issues for the biggest part of my life which eventually led me down the counselling root myself.
“It was the best thing that ever happened to me and through my experience of listening help I began to find the courage to look deep within myself and change the person I had become due to me trying to be the person I thought everyone else wanted me to be.
“I enlisted myself on a counselling concepts course in March 2010 which required all students to keep a journal and that was it, I was hooked.”
Writing about how she was feeling in all of her given situations became her passion but not only did the writing become a passion it also became joanne’s healer – and seven years later – she’s telling her story to the world.
“I didn’t for one minute think she would be sharing my most private thoughts with the rest of the world but as time has passed I came to realise I didn’t want my thoughts to be private anymore, I wanted to become an open book with nothing to hide.”
This realisation soon inspired her to start writing the book after months of toying with the idea.
“I believe that my openness and honesty while looking deep within myself has helped me to heal. This is what inspired me to share my story with all who want to read it,” she added
Joanne’s book is published by Creative Locations Ltd of Saddleworth and is now available to buy on Amazon, Moonstone in Greenfield, or she can be contacted directly at JOANNE_LEES@sky.com or 07577 836598.
Author: Jude Gidney - Editor
If you would like to share an interesting story, achievement, photo or something you just want to happily shout about please send it in an email to hello@saddleworthlife.com We'd ❤ to hear from you!!
