Here I Am

Here I Am – the sequel to May-May Meijer's book Inner Voices – is a compelling account of her episodes of depression following her first compulsory hospital admission. The diagnosis of schizophrenia, her divorce, and the little time she is able to spend with her young son combine to inflict deep wounds. Her struggle with medication results in her once again refusing to take it – to the despair of her family. The Dutch General Intelligence and Security Service make a re-appearance in her life and a second compulsory admission follows.

In Here I Am, May-May gives a fascinating and frank insight into the world of an individual in psychological crisis. She also focuses attention on the spiritual side of psychoses, her encounter with God, and His love for everything that lives. Her deepest hope is that Here I Am can make a contribution towards world peace: a world in which all children can play.]

May-May Meijer (1972) gained her PhD in Communication Sciences at the Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam. She is the founder of the peace organisation Peace SOS. Peace SOS facilitates the use of so-called 'soft powers' in countries whose existence is threatened by armed conflicts. Additionally, May-May has published academic texts about her psychological vulnerability in Schizophrenia Bulletin of Oxford University Press and on PsychoseNet.

'People have the intuition to consult sources located outside accessible conscious experience. Not everyone can intuit in this fashion, but it is evidently part of the human repertoire.'  

Jim van Os

Professor of Psychiatry and chairman of the Division of Neuroscience,

University Medical Center Utrecht (UMC Utrecht)

'May-May has the courage to show her vulnerability by telling us about her psychiatric process and her encounter with Christ. There are very few people who dare to do this, she is a kind of apostle.'

Father Dresmé

Father of the Roman Catholic Parish of St. Vitus and St. Willibrord in Hilversum

'You are a candle and light for the world' Shams Alkhateeb, mother of Noor and Alaa, talking to May-May during the bombardments of Eastern Ghouta in Syria.