The Colour of Madness
65 Writers Reflect on Race and Mental Health
Bluebird (Publisher)
Book
Paperback/Softback
256 pages
978-1-5290-8851-9 (ISBN)
Description
'An invaluable collection'
BBC
'A seminal body of work that centres our voices authentically and unapologetically'
Melissa Cummings-Quarry, co-author of Grown and co-founder of Black Girls Book Club
The Colour of Madness is a groundbreaking anthology amplifying the voices of People of Colour and their experiences with mental health.
In this compelling collection, edited by Dr Rianna Walcott and Dr Samara Linton, over seventy contributors share their stories, essays, poetry, short fiction and artwork. Showcasing the voices of those who have been ignored, this book brings solace to those who have shared similar experiences, and sheds light into the everyday impact of racism for those looking to further understand and combat this injustice.
A vital and timely tribute to all those whose lives have been impacted by medical inequalities, this collection seeks to disrupt the whitewashed narrative of mental health in Britain and will help to positively transform the mental health and wellbeing of People of Colour.
The book was first published in 2018. Editors Dr Samara Linton and Dr Rianna Walcott ended their relationship with their previous publisher in 2021 when the press was linked to a far-right group. The editors have since collaborated with a new publisher to present this refined edition complete with revised contributions, new contributors and powerful artwork.
'This collection is a painfully moving chronicle of structural harm; it is also a tender light in the darkness, guiding us towards collective healing'
Leah Cowan, author of Border Nation
'A compassionate and hopeful book, encouraging us to be truly present and engage with the world around us beyond our biases.'
Pragya Agarwal, author of Sway: Unravelling Unconscious Bias
BBC
'A seminal body of work that centres our voices authentically and unapologetically'
Melissa Cummings-Quarry, co-author of Grown and co-founder of Black Girls Book Club
The Colour of Madness is a groundbreaking anthology amplifying the voices of People of Colour and their experiences with mental health.
In this compelling collection, edited by Dr Rianna Walcott and Dr Samara Linton, over seventy contributors share their stories, essays, poetry, short fiction and artwork. Showcasing the voices of those who have been ignored, this book brings solace to those who have shared similar experiences, and sheds light into the everyday impact of racism for those looking to further understand and combat this injustice.
A vital and timely tribute to all those whose lives have been impacted by medical inequalities, this collection seeks to disrupt the whitewashed narrative of mental health in Britain and will help to positively transform the mental health and wellbeing of People of Colour.
The book was first published in 2018. Editors Dr Samara Linton and Dr Rianna Walcott ended their relationship with their previous publisher in 2021 when the press was linked to a far-right group. The editors have since collaborated with a new publisher to present this refined edition complete with revised contributions, new contributors and powerful artwork.
'This collection is a painfully moving chronicle of structural harm; it is also a tender light in the darkness, guiding us towards collective healing'
Leah Cowan, author of Border Nation
'A compassionate and hopeful book, encouraging us to be truly present and engage with the world around us beyond our biases.'
Pragya Agarwal, author of Sway: Unravelling Unconscious Bias
Reviews / Votes
The Colour of Madness is a seminal body of work that [centres] our voices authentically and unapologetically. -- Melissa Cummings-Quarry, co-founder of <i>Black Girls Book Club </i> Invaluable -- Sophie Duker, BBC The Colour of Madness is one of those texts you can't read without a pencil to mark beautiful/relatable/heartbreaking quotes. Heading home to find my pencil. -- Serena Arthur, founder of the award-winning <i>Onyx </i>magazine I teach a BA module on Literature and Psychology and have been looking for a book like this for years! -- Samantha Walton, Lecturer: Bath Spa University Deeply personal and sensitive...This book should be read by all trainees and seniors. Although it might make the reader feel uncomfortable, it will help them to build inclusive therapeutic relationships with patients from all ethnic backgrounds and improve the practical accessibility of mental healthcare. -- Anna Sri, head of <i>Geopsychiatry</i> This collection is a painfully moving chronicle of structural harm; it is also a tender light in the darkness, guiding us towards collective healing -- Leah Cowan, author of <i>Border Nation</i> A compassionate and hopeful book, encouraging us to be truly present and engage with the world around us beyond our biases. -- Pragya Agarwal, author of <i>Sway: Unravelling Unconscious Bias</i>More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Pan Macmillan
Target group
Interest Age: From 18 years
Product notice
Paperback (UK-trade)
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 153 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-5290-8851-9 (9781529088519)
Copyright in bibliographic data is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or its licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
05/2022
Bluebird
€18.49
Available for download
Persons
Dr Samara Linton is an award-winning writer and multidisciplinary content producer. Her work includes Diane Abbott: The Authorised Biography (2020) and The Colour of Madness: Mental Health and Race in Technicolour (2022). After graduating from the University of Cambridge and University College London, Samara worked as a junior doctor in east London. In 2019, she was one of six applicants selected for the BBC Production Trainee Scheme and went on to work in the Audio Science Unit as an assistant producer for several BBC World Service and Radio 4 programmes. Samara currently works as a community manager at POCIT and is completing a MA in Health Humanities. She can be found tweeting at @Samara_Linton.
Dr Rianna Walcott is an academic, activist, writer, and musician. She is a LAHP-funded PhD candidate at Kings College London researching Black women's identity in digital spaces, and a graduate twiceover from the University of Edinburgh. Co-founder of projectmyopia, which promotes inclusivity in academia and decolonising the curriculum, Rianna has written for publications including The Wellcome Collection, Metro, Vice, Dazed and Guardian.
Dr Rianna Walcott is an academic, activist, writer, and musician. She is a LAHP-funded PhD candidate at Kings College London researching Black women's identity in digital spaces, and a graduate twiceover from the University of Edinburgh. Co-founder of projectmyopia, which promotes inclusivity in academia and decolonising the curriculum, Rianna has written for publications including The Wellcome Collection, Metro, Vice, Dazed and Guardian.