Customer Reviews

Standing In the Shadows: Understanding and Overcoming Depression in Black Men

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John Head lived the "American Dream": supportive wife, 2.5 children, fantastic job, great home, tennis buddies, family, friends... his list of blessings was long enough to make most envious; yet fulfillment and contentment were just beyond his grasp, sitting on the other side of depression.

He was trapped in the cell of depression, and no matter how hard his family and friends tried to break him free of his imprisonment, they failed. This was a battle John's loved ones could not fight for him. This was John's war; all others had to take a supporting role.

John Head's life is literally an open book in STANDING IN THE SHADOWS. In order to help African-American men-and those who love them-win the fight against depression, John Head reveals his revelations, struggles, failures, successes, and strategies for dealing with depression.

As I read STANDING IN THE SHADOWS, I could see how men suffering from depression could identify with John's struggles and hopefully seek help. As the wife of a diagnosed manic-depressive Black man, I could identify with the stories of John's family struggles. At times, Mr. Head became preachy on issues such as the role that racism plays in depression in African-American men and the stigma many Blacks have against admitting and treating mental illnesses, but otherwise this is an excellent book that is very informative and personable.

Reviewed by Deatri King-Bey
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

First you gotto get over the Black Power talk and the fact that all of the author's heroes are black. Then he tells you how white society was bad to him, but then the good part comes in. He introduces you to a world were irrational behaviour and poor social skills are to be blamed on mental health. How the racial stigma has contributed in the form of stress to have the black male become emotionally unstable. Wow. that's good. The reading was all worth it after the first two chapters.
The authors eloquence and style are impressive. This is no mediocre man writing on one more reason blacks haven't made it. He has some very powerful personal experinences and you will relate to him in many ways. I rated it a 3 but I DO INDEED RECOMMEND YOU READ IT. For those of yo interested in social issues, black empowerment issues, and mental health issues this book IS A MUST!