Fleetwood man pens book about mental health struggle

A former Fleetwood man has had a book published about his struggle with a serious mental health condition
Stephen Debar has written a book about his mental health strugglesStephen Debar has written a book about his mental health struggles
Stephen Debar has written a book about his mental health struggles

Stephen Debar, 59, who now lives in Colwyn Bay in North Wales, hopes his book can shed some light on the often misunderstood illness, schizophrenia, and encourage others who have struggled.

His book ‘Schizophrenia - It’ll Follow You Wherever You Go’ outlines his journey through the highs and lows of this often debilitating condition, which still carries a certain amount of stigma.

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He said: “It’s really about the struggles I have had but I’d like to think it can offer people some hope.

Stephen Debar's bookStephen Debar's book
Stephen Debar's book

“It is also dedicated to all the mental health services who helped me when I was really struggling.”

The book details his experiences when he began to be ill, from hearing voices to believing he was being stalked by the SAS or the IRA.

He was 27 and living alone in a bedsit on Fleetwood seafront when he first started to be ill, back in November 5 in 1989.

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He said: “I don’t know what started it, but from that point on it was hard. One of the difficulties is no one wants to discuss it, and people see the scary headlines.”

But he has praise for the Lancashire County Council resources in Fleetwood who helped him out, in a number of ways.

He says: “I’d spent 17 years not making eye contact with people but I started to attend sessions at the Mountcroft Resource Centre and the Clubhouse in Fleetwood and eventually I could look people in the eye.”

He also won a Lancashire County Council voluntary award and life looked up when he met his wife Lilly, a retired nurse.

He said: “I have changed my life around, I am happily married. My schizophrenia will never go away but I am moving forward.”

The book is out via Amazon.