|
|
|
|
Submit
|
Custom Search
CivicLifeSportsSchoolsBusinessFoodOur HomesLetters/OpinionsCalendar

Published May 15th, 2019
Local author examines family's experience with mental illness

Lafayette Library and Learning Center is featuring Lafayette resident Mark Lukach for the May author talk. Lukach's internationally bestselling memoir "My Lovely Wife in the Psych Ward" seems particularly apt at this time - this May is the 70th year that Mental Health America has been observing Mental Health Month as a way to educate and increase public awareness.
Lukach's book chronicles the unexpected onset of a bipolar diagnosis for his wife, Giulia, her three hospitalizations with psychosis, her lengthy bouts with suicidal depression, and his attempts to support her as a caregiver.
The book starts with their love story - a seemingly perfect young romance, meeting in college, aged 18, marriage at 24 and their dream life in San Francisco.
Following his wife's diagnosis at age 27 and ongoing battle with mental illness, Lukach looks at the question, "How do we care for the people we love?"
In his book Lukach focuses on how mental illness is a shared experience. He has spoken about his family's experience at schools, hospitals, businesses and to mental health organizations across the country and has been interviewed on TV and radio.
The New York Times Book Review wrote that Lukach's "rare combination of tenderness and ruthlessness is what makes this book more interesting than your typical illness narrative."
Adult Services Librarian Chris Gray says this promises to be a touching and very relevant program.
Lukach is the ninth-grade dean and a history teacher at The Athenian School. He lives with his wife and their two sons in Lafayette.
The talk will be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 23 in the Don Tatzin Community Hall at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center.
Copies of "My Lovely Wife in the Psych Ward" will be available for purchase at the event, courtesy of Orinda Books.
To sign up, please go to http://ccclib.evanced.info/signup/EventDetails?EventId=180935


print story

Before you print this article, please remember that it will remain in our archive for you to visit anytime.
download pdf
(use the pdf document for best printing results!)
Comments
Send your comment to:
Reach the reporter at:

This article was published on Page A3:



Quick Links for LamorindaWeekly.com
Home
Archive
Advertise
send artwork to:
ads@lamorindaweekly.com
Classified ads
Lamorinda Service Directory
About us and How to Contact us
Submit
Letter to the Editor
Send stories or ideas to:
storydesk@lamorindaweekly.com
Send sports stories and photos to:
sportsdesk@lamorindaweekly.com
Subscribe to receive a delivered or mailed copy
Subscribe to receive storylinks by email
Content
Civic
Lafayette
Moraga
Orinda
MOFD
Life
Sports
Schools
Business
Food
Our Homes
Letters/Opinions
Calendar
Copyright Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA