Littéraires - Davi, of legal age, NOT diagnosed': Courageous and heart-wrenching –bereaved mother raises her voice on behalf of young people with mental health problems - Flávia Menegaz

Having emigrated from Brazil and living in Brighton, this is the tragic story of author Flávia Menegaz and her adult son, Davi who takes his own life due to mental illness. With mental disorders the biggest cause of suicide, taking away a person every 40 seconds around the world, Flávia appeals for urgent change and efficient public policies in the UK and in all countries.

UNITED KINGDOM – Bravely putting her head above the parapet to tell how tragically the system failed her son, Flávia Menegaz’s’ ‘Davi, of legal age, NOT diagnosed’ shines the spotlight on the critical need for change in how mental illness is regarded and treated, here in the UK and across the world.

Written initially in her native Portuguese and published in Brazil, Flávia and Davi’s story is now available to a universal audience. A must-read for all those that have the power to affect change or know only too well the helplessness felt 24/7 when trying to support a loved one that is suffering from mental illness.

An important book on a vital subject that needs the whole world’s attention.

An important book on a vital subject that needs the whole world’s attention.

Synopsis:

Many psychiatric problems arise at the end of adolescence or beginning of adulthood according to the World Health Organization. How to identify them? How, at this stage of life, to discern rebellious attitudes from emotional or mental disorders? Can cannabis cause brain damage even if used just a few times? Would this damage be reversible? How to deal with depression? What to do when a son thinks about killing himself? Are the professionals we consult adequately prepared?

These were some of the dramas faced by Flávia and her son Davi, Brazilian immigrants living in Brighton. Without getting medical treatment for her son, who, prevented by his own illness, refused to be diagnosed, the condition worsened, with him becoming aggressive to his mother, the only person who perceived his abnormality. With no option, she was convinced by the social worker to call the police with the case being treated as domestic violence, further worsening the situation, and requiring her to go to a house of refuge. 

Outraged by the direction things were taking, she writes:

"We fell into their game... Now they can play the beautiful role of protecting me from the clutches of ‘a little marginal young man. ’Trapped in a maze. Me and my son, lost in nefarious ramblings, victim of his wounded mind, fighting with himself to cling to some normality that might remain in him. The person that I love so much, and who talked so much about to killing me."

This personal history shows a mother who desperately tries to find, unsuccessfully, in a first world country, help for her son, an insightful, restless, questioning young man, whose mind sadly becomes ill.

With mental disorders the biggest cause of suicide and taking away a person every 40 seconds around the world, this book is an appeal for urgent change, and efficient public policies in the UK and in all countries.

The author says:

“I am in constant treatment for depression and anxiety. Losing a child to suicide is devastating; I couldn’t find help for my son, but I hope you will for yours. Whilst my English isn’t fluent, I am determined to speak out on behalf of young people with mental health problems.”

‘Davi, of legal age, NOT diagnosed’ is independently published and available in paperback (£10.90) from Amazon athttps://amzn.to/3n4Lw2k

‘Davi, of legal age, NOT diagnosed’ is independently published and available in paperback (£10.90) from Amazon at https://amzon.to/3n4Lw2k

About the Author

Flávia Menegaz, born in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, in 1964. Having graduated in languages, she was a teacher and coordinator of a reading room in a Brazilian publishing house. 

In 2005, her book “Poetando” (Alis, 2003), was selected by PNBE – National School Library Program. In 2006Flávia and her children moved to England where, among other activities, she worked voluntarily disseminating the cultures of Brazilian indigenous societies.

Currently, Flávia is dedicated to launching her books in several countries and wishes to contribute to charities working on young people suicide prevention with a focus on public policies changes.

Editeur : Independently published

Nombre de pages : 184 pages

Prix :  £10.90