Today mental health charity Mind announces the shortlist for its annual Book of the Year Award. The award, now in its 27th year, celebrates writing that contributes to a greater understanding of mental health issues in all their forms. The seven short-listed titles range in genre from fiction, memoir, and psychology, presenting both personal experiences of mental health problems, and mental distress from the viewpoint of the intimate spectator. Fear, hope and perseverance feature in works that explore what it is to experience, observe, fight and recover.

Shortlisted authors include Sunday Express Editor Martin Townsend, and acclaimed writers A. M Homes and Chris Paling.

The winner will be announced on Thursday 15 May at the Mind Awards ceremony to be held at Kingsway Hall Hotel, London, hosted by Mind's President Lord Melvyn Bragg. The Mind Journalist of the Year, Student Journalist, and Mind Champion of the Year will also be announced at the event.

Book of the Year judges Blake Morrison, Fay Weldon and Michèle Roberts will attend a preview reading at Foyles bookshop, London on Thursday 1 May (1), with shortlisted authors reading extracts from their books.

The seven shortlisted works are:

An idea in practice: using the human givens approach ed. Joe Griffin and Ivan Tyrell


(Human Givens Publishing)

An idea in practice is a celebration of the beneficial inroads human givens psychology has made into education, mental health and social services. Packed full of fascinating case histories, moving stories and practical information, it shows how the approach can benefit both organisations and individuals, from transforming the lives of mental health inpatients to helping teachers manage disruptive behaviour in the classroom.

One unknown by Gill Hicks

(Macmillan)

Gill Hicks was the last person to be rescued alive from the bombed train at Russell Square underground station on July 7, 2005. She had sustained horrific injuries, which led to both of her legs being amputated, and her life hung in the balance for several days. In this powerful account Gill writes with honesty and candour about the events of that day, her struggles to adjust to her new life and her determination to walk down the aisle on her wedding day, an event which made headlines around the world.

The mistress's daughter by A.M Homes

(Granta)

On the day she was born, celebrated author AM Homes was given up for adoption. Thirty years later, out of the blue, she comes into contact with her biological parents, setting in motion a voyage of self-discovery. Writing for the first time about her own life, Homes tackles the complexities of multiple family ties, the need for acceptance, and the tragedy of disillusionment as she attempts to use her heritage to piece together her true identity.

Why do people get ill? by Darian Leader and David Corfield

(Hamish Hamilton)

Why do people get ill? explores the relationship between what goes on in our minds and what happens to our bodies. Leaving no stone unturned, the latest medical research is combined with neglected findings from history to probe how bereavement can make us susceptible to illness, or how a break with a partner really can result in a broken heart.

Minding by Chris Paling

(Portobello Books)

After being admitted to a psychiatric hospital, Jane Hackett has lost custody of her son Billy. Now she lives for just one thing - the days when they'll be together once more. But first Jane must battle to forge a stable existence, and overcome her own inner demons. With unflinching glances at Jane's tangled inner world, Minding is the story of a mother and child parted by mental distress, and reunited by love.

The father I had by Martin Townsend

(Transworld)

In The father I had, Sunday Express Editor Martin Townsend presents a vivid personal account of the trials, fears and joys of growing up with a father diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Both tender and unrelentingly honest, Townsend tracks the often hilarious highs and harrowing lows that test the heart of a very ordinary, 1950s working-class family.

The centre cannot hold: a memoir of my schizophrenia by Elyn R Saks

(Virago)

Success and academic acclaim aren't always the first things that come to mind when dealing with enduring mental health problems. But for Elyn Saks, Professor at the University of Southern California, learning to overcome the paranoia, fear and obstacles of living with schizophrenia is an intrinsic part of the woman she is today. This frank memoir of torment, hope and recovery is a powerful demonstration of how people can master mental distress to achieve the highest levels of professional and personal fulfilment.

(1) Mind Book of the Year shortlisted authors Gill Hicks, Darian Leader, Chris Paling and Martin Townsend will be giving readings from their books at Foyles bookshop on Thursday 1 May at 6pm. For an invite to the Foyles event, please contact Amy Wall at Mind on 020 8215 2313 or email a.wall@mind.org.uk

Mind is the leading mental health charity in England and Wales. We work to create a better life for everyone with experience of mental distress. Please note that Mind is not an acronym and should be set in title case, not caps.

http://www.mind.org.uk