Historically, open discussions of mental illness have been difficult, often taboo. Brave and honest storytelling attempts to break those barriers so that we might learn how lives are affected by diseases of the mind. This May, we honor Mental Health Awareness Month with a program that reflects this year’s theme of “You Are Not Alone.”

In “Out of the Darkness,” two authors shed light on mental illness in families through their writings -- one in fiction, one through memoir.  Florence Reiss Kraut (top), author of How to Make a Life (historical fiction), and Marlena Maduro Baraf (bottom), author of At the Narrow Waist of the World, share their stories about how mental illness affects family relationships. Register now.

How to Make a Life is a sweeping saga that follows four generations of a family who must learn to accept each other’s differences—or risk cutting ties with the very people who anchor their place in the world.

At the Narrow Waist of the World: a memoir is a mother-daughter story about mental illness and healing. It’s a story about forgiveness and acceptance. About leaving home, looking back, and finding it again. 

This program is sponsored by Friends of the Edgewater Library in partnership with the Edgewater Branch Library.

How to Attend: This event takes place on Zoom. By registering for this event here, you agree to abide by the Library Use Guidelines.