Available NOW
Paperback $13.95 + S/H
152 pages, 6"x9"
ISBN 13 - 978-1-945432-00-2
Press release:
LIVINGSTON LOCAL, ANGELA McCRIMMON, ANNOUNCED AS THE
FIRST LOCAL HERO OF 2017
The Centre Livingston & West Lothian Courier is delighted to announce the winner of the first 2017 Local Hero Award, Angela McCrimmon from Livingston, a former professional singer, who was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder at aged 19, in recognition of her outstanding work in sharing her story and helping others with the condition.
Angela, (39), a Mental Health Champion who has also received letters of recognition from the Scottish Parliament and Prince William for all her efforts raising awareness of Mental Health and encouraging others to seek help, was nominated by close friend Brenda Flockhart for the incredible work she does helping people battle the highs and lows like she did for almost 20yrs, which in the end resulted in her losing her much-loved career as a singer.
Angela dedicates her time voluntarily to various charities on a one-to-one basis and in group talks, including Bipolar Scotland, See Me Scotland, Penumbra, Turn2Me and Scottish Association for Mental Health, sharing her story about having Bipolar Disorder to help people who have found themselves in the same position as her and also carries out befriending work locally through West Lothian Volunteer Gateway for people with learning and mental health difficulties.
She has also presented to Mental Health Professionals at St John’s Hospital on her own journey and the different stages she went through and took part in a campaign by the Scottish Association for Mental Health to put forward their manifesto, "Ask once..get help fast", which was brought up in parliament.
Brenda said: “Angela is an incredibly inspirational woman who has helped so many people who are suffering in the same way she has over the years.
“She is a great listener, carer and friend who despite her own issues which she still has to deal with, she always has time to help others.
“Nominating her was the easiest thing I’ve ever done – she is one in a million and a true local hero to so many people around her whose lives she has greatly helped.”
Angela has also written a book which has been recently published about living with Bipolar and self-harming entitled, "Can You Hear Me Now? Finding My Voice In A System That Stole It”, which is available from Amazon in paperback, price £9.95 and as a kindle edition price £3.95, where all profits going to Mental Health Advocacy.
Angela's book is about her journey through the medical system and coming out the other end. It is a very powerful book, written with the aim of helping as many people as possible living with mental illness.
Along with help from local MSP Neil Findlay and MP Hannah Bardell, Angela is also hoping to set up a writing group to help sufferers, sometime this year.
Angela said: “I couldn’t believe it when I first heard I’d won this incredible Local Hero Award – what a fantastic start to the year. I’m completely overwhelmed and incredibly touched that Brenda would even consider putting me forward for it.
“For me it is all about helping others who have found themselves in the same position I did over the years and offering help, support and encouragement and highlighting the fact there is always someone somewhere ready to listen and provide support, which I will personally continue to do for as long as I can. It is easy to get lost in the ‘system’ and I want to be the voice for anyone who hasn’t found their own voice yet.”
Can You Hear Me Now?
Finding My Voice in a System That Stole It
by Angela McCrimmon
The thoughts and feelings I should have felt safe enough to entrust in the hands of a Professional are now finding their way from the entrapment of my mind to the healing I am finding in my writing. Revealing that although I've battled Self-Harm on the outside, the real harm was often done by Mental Health Professionals themselves.
It's been a roller-coaster ride writing this book but definitely one I had to ride to get to the other side. Determined to finally stand up for myself and to encourage others to stand alongside me.
Often dismissed, ignored, and scared into silence...
Can you hear me now?
Praise for the book:
Can You Hear Me Now? beautifully voices self-determination expressed by a true psychiatric survivor. Through her poetry, Angela provides a firsthand experience of the current mental health system, giving us a peek into the world of survivors' struggles as well as offering hope for healing.
Celia Brown, President of MindFreedom International Board of Directors
When we first met, Angela was in pieces-mentally, and physically. However those cracks allowed in the light of hope, purpose and determination to change her own and others’ lives. Using her experiences and literary talent she calls on us all to care with compassion and humanity for those still under the cosh of their troubled minds.
Merrick Pope, Clinical Nurse Specialist - Self Harm Service Royal Edinburgh Hospital
From Amazon.co.uk 7 July 2016
Amazing poems. Angela is so talented and for all of us with poor mental health this book will touch and relate to us all. Angela has and is still fighting a good fight only now she she is fighting for all of us. She is helping the world to actually see us as people instead if just statistics. Fantastic lady fantastic book a definite must read. Xxxxx would give it 100 stars if I could x
Motion Number: S5M-00366
Lodged By: Neil Findlay
Date Lodged: 07/06/2016
Title: Can You Hear Me Now? Finding My Voice in a System That Stole It
Motion Text:
That the Parliament congratulates Angela McCrimmon on writing, and getting published, her book, Can You Hear Me Now? Finding My Voice in a System That Stole It; considers Angela to have demonstrated courage in writing the book; believes that creative expression, as conveyed by Angela through her writing, helps the healing and recovery process for people with mental illness, and suggests that Angela’s book and recovery provide hope and inspiration for other people facing mental ill-health as well as providing an insight into mental health services and how they could and should improve.
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The Scottish Parliament: Making a positive difference to the lives of the people of Scotland
Pàrlamaid na h-Alba: A’ toirt deagh bhuaidh air beatha sluagh na h-Alba
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