Jack Pilgers reviews From Depression to Contentment

From Depression to Contentment by Bob Rich

Evidently, Dr. Bob Rich has walked the walk. He has been there, done it, helped others to do it and here in this very readable, succinct and yet hard-hitting work lets you know how you can do it as well. In From Depression to Contentment, you can learn how to get your soul and mind back in order. Above all, it is supremely practical. Dr. Bob Rich has spared us the swathes of academic literature that can clog up similar works. Yet he is clearly familiar with the literature itself (and helpfully includes links in the book) and brings it to bear on the issues around depression with impressive clarity. Helpful as well, are the numerous heart-rendering examples that Dr. Bob Rich provides from those that have sought help from him.

In ‘From Depression to Contentment,’ Dr. Bob Rich gives us, in clear simple steps, a way out, a guiding light. He knows this works, you just have to do it. Depression is not a label, pills are not a healthy way out, but there are steps that we can take that will start us on the ladder out of the pit. There is a fair amount of literature that will tackle any one of his suggestions in more detail, such as Matthew Walker’s excellent text, Why We Sleep, which is, surprisingly, about healthy sleeping. However, here in one simple pragmatic volume, are all those steps and how you should do them. Just as importantly, it is not only what you should do, but what you should not do.

What I loved about this book was its focus on meaning. There are some excellent passages on how important this is to mental health — I won’t spoil it for you, but this is a hugely important issue that can be neglected within this field, and Dr. Bob Rich explains it intelligently.

Dr. Bob Rich puts you back in control, does not accept the usual mantras and sops for the soul, and he wisely puts the issue of depression into its wider context. This is a timely and important text that makes a shrewd and significant contribution to this field.

Really enjoyed it!

About the Reviewer

Jack has taught Philosophy and Theology for many years in schools, colleges, and universities, and finds the most intriguing and relevant aspect of philosophy is its relevance to peoples’ lives. He has pursued his study of Philosophy, including further degrees from Spanish and UK universities as well as a sabbatical at Oxford University. Yet he believes that the understanding of our place in the world beyond the obvious and mundane is what fascinates, and is as pressing as ever, and this is what he has chosen to write about. His book, “Jack’s Path,”

From Crisis to Recovery: Proceedings of the 6th Annual Rocky Mountain Disaster Mental Health Conference

978-1-932690-56-9
$24.95
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UPC: 978-1-932690-56-9
Brand: Rocky Mountain Region DMH Institute Press

Events around the world continue to present challenges for first responders and mental
health professionals. Natural and man-made disasters continue. Evidence mounts concerning
potential events such as global warming and the effects this may have worldwide. Avian Flu
remains a concern as do forms of biological terrorism and natural hazards such as tsunamis,
floods, hurricanes and earthquakes. The 2004 tsunami in Sri Lanka and Thailand continues to
have a significant impact on that area of the world. Wars in Afghanistan and Iraq continue to
impact those countries, the Middle East and the United States. Preparing our communities and
families not only for deployments and support of those deployed and their families, but also
for the aftermath and return of our military and National Guard personnel into our communities
is important for all.

What can we expect from all of these? How do communities and first responders handle
these? What role does mental health play? How do first responders and mental health professionals
plan together for responding to future events and learning from past ones. Using a
strategic planning approach, how do we identity potential threats and identify target populations
and groups? What resources are available for which identified threats? How do we do
such planning, how often, and how do we exercise such plans prior to events? What can we
learn from such events and how do we incorporate what we learn into future planning?

It is crucial that response, resilience, recovery and follow-up be included in our planning.
Additional variables important in responding include cultural knowledge and sensitivity. We
need to prepare to respond appropriately within a culture not our own, whether locally,
nationally, or internationally.

November 8-10, 2007, the Rocky Mountain Region Disaster Mental Health Institute held
their Annual Disaster Mental Health Conference in Cheyenne, Wyoming. The theme of this
conference was: From Crisis To Recovery: Resilience and Strategic Planning for the Future.


RM DMH Institute Press

PO Box 786

Laramie, WY 82073-0786

Phone: 307-399-4818

www.rmrinstitute.org


"Learning from the past and planning for the future"


An Imprint of Loving Healing Press www.LHPress.com

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