When Mommy Feels Sad: A Mother's Journey Through Depression captures one woman's experience with depression. She explores her feelings and actions and their impact on her family. Her steps toward recovery include self-care, meeting with doctors, taking medication, and working with a therapist. The story's resolution is not one of healing, but of hope.

Parents, teachers, school counselors, physicians, and therapists can use When Mommy Feels Sad as a vehicle for discussing and understanding depression. Although mental illness creates complicated feelings and unique experiences, it should not isolate those who suffer, including children. This book can give children and adults a vocabulary to describe this mental illness and normalize the experience for everyone involved. Each page can spark a meaningful conversation.

With over twenty-five years of working with clients of all ages who have experienced depression, I have heard repeatedly the need to "de-stigmatize" depression. Most of us will struggle with it at one time or another. Heidi's book does just that! The simplicity and directness of her style make it easy for children to understand something that might otherwise be scary as they watch a parent or loved one struggle. Adults will also be drawn to her straightforward and gentle explanation of what it's like to be a typical mom who struggles with depression. What a great way to open a conversation about a difficult struggle and to help loved ones better understand. Grab your copy today and start the conversation!

--Caralee Frederic, LCSW, CGT, SRT