Dismantling Taboo

Natalee brings a raw and pure honesty as she shares her story of struggle in a world that is frightened by even a slight breeze that would hint of mental illness. Her amazing courage to forge ahead and lend a helping hand to this community to work toward dispelling the stigma that is sadly aligned with this illness is to be applauded.

Dismantling Taboo is a short read of a complex story. Reading Natalee Whitesell's story is like hearing a friend's heart over a cup of coffee. Her honesty is disarming, as she speaks directly about her mental illness. Whitesell gives details to fill in the gaps that are usually left to one's imagination, but never in a way that is sensationalist. She demystifies the diagnoses, while giving a real sense of what it is to daily fight the battle toward healing. She gives weight to both the medical and the spiritual side of the struggle. This book is encouraging to anyone who has known the darkness of mental anguish, be it depression, anxiety, bipolar, etc. I highly recommend this book.

I am not entirely objective because the author is my daughter; however, the story though full of pain is also full of truth and redemption, healing and joy. It is an encouragement to me as I believe it could be to many --especially to those who have suffered from mental illness or are care-giving to one who suffers. A story of hope.