Chipmunka author interview: Peter Mackie

Chipmunky's delighted to bring you this exculsive interview with Chipmunka author Peter Mackie. Peter's book 'The Madhouse Of Love' is available now: The Madhouse Of Love


Chipmunky:
Why did you want to write a book?

Peter: I was 17 years old in a bedsit in London and suddenly all the memories of everything that had happened in the hospital a few years before came back to me and I felt that I had to write it all down. It just occurred naturally in a bout of inspiration which lasted between one and two months. I also felt determined to publish it so as to give other people the chance to read it because I thought that the book was probably unique.

Why Chipmunka and how did you find out about the publisher?

I found out about Chipmunkapublishing through an article in Writers' News magazine. I chose Chipmunka because they specialise in real-life stories written by people who have been through the mental health system.

What do you feel is the biggest hurdle for people with mental health problems to overcome today?

Depression seems to be on the increase and is the most common mental health problem and I would say that the biggest hurdle for people with mental health problems is to try to make society aware of this before it is too late. No-one seems to be altogether sure what is the cause but, from my own experience, I think that at least some of it is socially caused.

How did you feel about being published?

I feel glad that my book has been published and hope that as many people as possible will read it so that it will get through to people.

Overall how has the reaction to your book been?

Generally, it has been positive. I think that many people are interested because it is unusual and because mental health is something topical at the moment.

Are you glad you wrote your book?

Yes, I am very glad that I wrote my book, which I felt inside that I just had to do.

What do you do to relax/ what’s good for your mental health?

I have had anxiety attacks during the last two years and find that lying down and listening to music or reading a really interesting book helps me relax.

How do you feel about the ‘cannabis causes mental health’ debate?

It's hard to say because it seems to affect people differently. I think that there should be more unbiased research about this. I only know that, in my case, it helped me to stay away from alcohol, which is notoriously bad for depression, and helped me to relax and to sleep at night. However, it may be good for some people and bad for other people - but I think that there should be a choice as alcohol will always be there and can cause many more problems.

How do you feel about some peoples view, that people who have mental health problems and are claiming welfare are ‘scroungers‘?

At one time, I used to feel very angry about this but now I think that it is only that people don't understand something and they need to be educated. There is a lot of difference between depression and ordinary laziness as it is outwith the person's control. Also, for instance, the young people nowadays don't seem to have much going for them. That's why I think that depression is at least partly socially caused.

What are you currently working on?

As well as trying to publicise my book, I'm also trying to publicise and sell copies of the CD of music that I made All Over the Shop - and I'm doing an IT course at Redhall Walled Garden, and organisation in Edinburgh that works with people who have or have had mental health problems.

Any advice for aspiring authors?

If anyone has written anything about their own experiences with mental health problems and/or the mental health system, I would advise them to choose Chipmunkapublishing.

If you could change one thing about the mental health service, what would it be?

I think that the patients should be listened to more and given more of a say. It might be a good idea for patients to hold meetings and to discuss ideas - and maybe even sign petitions - which could be put forward to the people who are in charge.

Many thanks for your time Peter !

Peter's book 'The Madhouse Of Love' is available now: The Madhouse Of Love