Jody Fenech

This is a story of my personal journey through mental illness. 

A JOURNEY THROUGH MAJOR DEPRESSION

Come with me on the journey from pills, shock treatment to recovery. It's my personal highway to well.

It doesn't have to be a highway to hell - you or those you love can get on the highway to well.

About the Book

This book is about my 3- year journey through a mental illness, Major Depression. Because my depression went untreated for many years, it became so acute that I suffered from Psychosis and totally lost touch with reality. Highway to Well gives readers an insight into the causes, the treatments and ultimately my recovery from this insidious, indiscriminate illness. My story has taken 5 years to complete and is a raw and honest account that will take you to the depths of my despair through to the present day where I have experienced a level of happiness and inner peace that I never had experienced previously.

Why I wrote Highway to Well

My Depression was so deep and resistant to medications medical practitioners did not hold much hope for my future, in other words, I was not expected to recover. My journey was also extremely difficult for my loved ones to witness. In sharing my story I hope to help others who are going through the same or a similar experience, I want to send a message that no matter how ill you are or how bad things may seem, a full recovery is very, very possible. I also hope the book connects with caregivers, family & friends of sufferers, their role is a difficult one and I hope that my story will inspire them to never give up. I’ve learned so much from my experience and feel compelled to share it. I am so grateful for the life I have now I want to give back to the community.

To those individuals who helped me...

Dedication

I wish to dedicate this book to several people. Firstly, to my psychiatrist, Doctor Chris McDowell; your compassion and dedication is beyond description and I will be grateful to you for the rest of my life. To my mother, Shirley, and my beautiful children, Paul & Carla; you were with me every step of the way and never gave up on me, and I love you dearly. A VERY heartfelt thank you to Ed & Christina for giving me a laptop when I had no hope of buying one. You made it possible for me to write this book. And last, but certainly not least, I would like to express my undying gratitude to Maryanne, Karen B, Karen S, Lou, Diana, and my sis Sharon. I am blessed to have had each of you in my life for decades. To the rest of my family and friends, especially my former colleagues at the Federal Government Agency I worked at - thank you for sticking by me, I wouldn’t have made it without you.

and to the organisations...

10% of profits of ongoing sales of Highway to Well (after this campaign) will be donated to the Mental Health Unit of Sutherland District Hospital and the South Eastern Sydney Health District Recovery College. 

Note:  I was holding a rock band fundraising event which was going to be held on September 19th, 2020 to raise funds for the  MHU at Sutherland District Hospital and The South Eastern Sydney Local Health District Recovery College.  Due to COVID-19 government restrictions, this has been canceled. In lieu of the event, I will be donating 10% of the proceeds from ongoing sales to organisations that gave me so much help.

Now, I need your help to get Highway to Well on the road

If 100 people lend their support - even if its a smaller amount, Highway To Well will hit the road - into print and into the hands of those who will most benefit. While I'm expecting the book to make a big impact,  if just one person gets help it's worth it. And you can join me in doing just that (and much much more) by choosing a reward.

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How the funds will be used...

Editing, design and print formatting   $3,000 (75%)

Launch and marketing                          $200 (5%)

Initial print run                                       $800 (20%)