Declan Henry has been a social worker for over 20 years, dealing with people with a wide range of social and mental issues, including bipolar. What inspired him to write this book though was witnessing the intense suffering of a personal friend over many years of 'treatment' for bipolar.In Why Bipolar? Henry pushes back against the catch-all mythology of a condition for which there is no scientific evidence. He reveals the convenient collusion between the psychiatric profession and big pharmaceutical companies as they claim to treat an 'illness' so poorly and vaguely defined while they themselves grow rich and re-write not just history but the bounds of medicine in the process. Henry's collection of 26 Life Stories illuminates the world of the bipolar sufferer, and heartbreakingly show the cavalier treatment deemed acceptable for those with this diagnosis.But Henry also offers hope to those with a bipolar diagnosis, claiming that by becoming better informed, both about the condition itself and the alternative treatments available, and by practicing self- management, the dream of living drug-free with bipolar is not only a possibility, but an inspiring reality.

Why Bipolar?: The Demystification of Bipolar Affective Disorder

Henry, Declan

Squirrel Publishing

Bronze Winner for the 2017 Independent Publisher Book Awards in the category of Gay/Lesbian/Bi/Trans Non-Fiction
Foregrounding the voices of transgender and non-binary people, this honest and insightful book is a compilation of the voices of those who have decided to undergo transition - both male-to-female and female-to-male. Drawing on over one hundred interviews with individuals, the book details the diverse experiences and challenges faced by those who transition, exploring a range of topics such as hormone treatments; reassignment surgeries; coming out; sex and sexuality; physical, emotional and mental health; transphobia; discrimination; and hate crime, as well as highlighting the lives of non-binary individuals and those who cross-dress to form a wider understanding of the varied ways in which people experience gender.
This powerful book is an ideal introduction to those keen to understand more about contemporary trans issues as well as those questioning their own gender identity.

Trans Voices

Biographies & Memoirs

Jessica Kingsley Publishers

Raising awareness of what Islam is, as well as deepening understanding about the lived realities of Muslim people, this book explores the contemporary Muslim experience through first-hand interviews with over a hundred Muslims.
Exploring key issues such as women and Islam, extremism and radicalisation, Sharia Law, homosexuality and Islamophobia, the book looks deep into what it means to be Muslim today. The 'voices' of Muslims are showcased throughout the book to highlight the diversity and evolution of Islam, and to show its inherent complexities and contradictions. This is an easy and accessible introduction to Islam combined with discussion surrounding several contentious issues associated with the religion.

Voices of Modern Islam

Politics & Social Sciences

Social Sciences

A REFLECTION ON FORBIDDEN FRUIT by Fr Joe McDonald To speak the truth is a difficult task. To speak the truth in love is not only difficult but is, in my experience, rarely achieved. This is a hard hitting piece of work but it is not a tirade. Henry does not pull his punches, nor does he put the boot in -- though if he had done, many would argue, with considerable justification, that it would be well deserved by the church. This is a serious book about a serious topic, but it avoids harshness. I think one of its greatest strengths, which is also a key reason why it does not descend into mudslinging, is that the author also manages to avoid caricature. In so doing, and in his undertakings with real people, he acknowledges the complexity of much of the material under examination. This is a special book and indeed a book of significance. It will prove an important text for many, and what might be surprising is how it will speak to many disparate groups. Three groups in particular come to mind. Firstly, given the book's title and subject matter, I expect the many people who have been hurt, and in a multiplicity of ways, will be drawn with little need of encouragement to read this book. They will not be disappointed. Another group, perhaps, will be those 'somewhere in the middle', who know next to nothing about how the church is internally, and indeed less about how the church made a right mess of things, especially in the area of sexuality. Neither will this group be disappointed. The third group I believe will be drawn to this book is the people who, despite all that has happened, simply have to, in varying degrees, hang on to their love for the church. Strange as it may seem nor will this group be disappointed. How can this be? How can a book written on such sensitive subject matter have such a broad appeal? Precisely because this book is brave. It is considered, thought provoking and real. Perhaps it is the fact that the author interviewed over thirty priests and sought out salient aspects of their stories that lends its distinctively authentic hue. This is a broader piece of work than one might initially expect. Yes, it unapologetically discusses the church and certainly does not shirk the many troublesome flashpoints, but it does so in the context of contemporary Ireland. Declan Henry's style is discursive and very engaging and I can honestly say if it was twice the size I would have been thrilled to invest in the time and effort of reading. This book brings about clear rewards. I felt a number of times that it would serve as an excellent primer for all those engaging in the increasingly popular study of the survival of the church in a secular age -- but it is much more. In fact we are taken on a journey akin to the Via Crucis, and experience the shame and degradation that was both the lot of the Crucified Saviour, and in recent times that of much of the contemporary church. However, in the words of the good thief 'in our case we deserved it', we are reminded of the fragility of our condition, and indeed the human aspects of being church. When I turned the final page and closed the cover of Forbidden Fruit I felt a surge of hope. This is fresh. It is real. In my own journey -- which has taken me on a constant oscillation between righteous rage at, and passionate defence of the church -- seldom have I encountered a voice like Henry's. Yes, he uses the scalpel and, yes, he lances and indeed treats several ecclesial maladies, but he does so with compassion. In wielding a scalpel with compassion, and speaking the truth in love, Declan Henry has done us some service, whether we are in the church, not sure any more, or long gone from it. Henry's service also includes that he did not leave us atop Calvary Hill but, albeit tentatively, has dared to sketch the little chink of light breaking through on Easter morn.

FORBIDDEN FRUIT - Life and Catholicism in Contemporary Ireland

History

Europe

Declan Henry

This coming of age story from Declan Henry captures life growing up on a farm in Derrykinlough, a rural village on the Sligo/Mayo border in the Irish Republic during the 1970s and early 1980s. This is an evocative account of an Irish childhood and tells of a now vanished world - settled, highly traditional and moulded at every point by Catholicism. It's an account of self-discovery while encapsulating the hopes and ideals reminiscent of the time.

Buried Deep in My Heart: A Charming Account of a Teenager Growing Up in Rural Ireland During the 1970s

Community & Culture

The London Press

There are many misconceptions about young refugees and asylum seekers in Britain. Declan Henry dispels the myths and gives a compassionate and empathetic view of the daily struggles they face including discrimination, racism and poverty. This book explores the reasons why they came to the UK and the safeguarding issues involved, the services they receive and the gaps and inequalities in the system as a whole. The injustice of long Home Office delays in the processing of applications and appeal processes are outlined and, as it is becoming more difficult for many young people to get Leave to Remain, the impact on their lives in terms of accommodation, education and planning for the future are explored.&nbsp; The author also looks at the emotional and mental health needs of young people including those with undiagnosed learning needs and difficulties. Ultimately, the book paints a graphic picture of what life is like in Britain for young people - cut off from their country of their origin and families - and how they are expected to make a new life in Britain with limited resources.&nbsp; There are works of non-fiction that are not only timely but also extremely important.&nbsp;Young Refugees And Asylum Seekers&nbsp;by author Declan Henry is one of them. The refugee crisis, and the plight of children and young adults, is brought into sharp focus in this powerful, challenging and well-written book. With precision, this author highlights both the lack of resources and unfair treatment of those who enter a new country without a caregiver as well as the monumental efforts of good people who work within a challenging system to exact change while practicing kindness. The importance of seeing children as children first is at the core of this valuable book. And we are reminded that the way we treat the most vulnerable is a testament to who we are, fundamentally, as human beings and a society. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to better understand the refugee crisis and to those in search of an opportunity to make a difference.&nbsp; Nancy Richardson Fischer, author of&nbsp;When Elephants Fly,&nbsp;The Speed of Falling Objects

Young Refugees and Asylum Seekers: The Truth about Britain

Critical Publishing

Essential reading for those who want to develop greater knowledge and awareness of the history, culture and lifestyles of GRT people. 
There are many misconceptions about the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities in the UK and Ireland. Little is understood of their culture and they are often marginalised by society. This book dispels many of the myths and gives a compassionate and empathetic view of the daily struggles they face including discrimination, racism and poverty. It also reviews criticisms directed at them and determines whether these are justified. Services are analysed to establish what works and what is weak. Packed with expert opinions from professionals working in the field and case studies and vignettes, garnered from personal interviews by the author with GRT people. 
Drawing from a wide range of perspectives from both inside and outside the respective communities, this book provides readers with all the key elements required to gain a deeper knowledge and understanding of these remarkable communities and their cultures.

Gypsies, Roma and Travellers: A Contemporary Analysis

Anthropology

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Books by Henry, Declan