Hold on Tight

A Parent's Journey Raising Children with Mental Illness

Jan Stewart’s book is an intimate account of raising two children with mental illnesses. It describes, from a parent’s point of view, the rollercoaster journey from hope to terror, and back again, as the children go to school and grow up to be young adults with jobs. It has not been easy. Stewart, a corporate executive, tells how she and her husband struggled to raise the children, find the right professional help, schools, jobs, and housing. She talks frankly about the toll it has taken on her marriage, her family, and social life, and she offers invaluable advice, from the voice of deep experience, to parents of children with mental illnesses.

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Sarah Barlow Scottsarah@barlowbooks.com

Illustrations

Praise

Events

January 26, 2023Dunblaine School: keynote parental speaker
January 25, 2023Torys LLP:  Bell Let’s Talk speaker
February 8, 2023

Children’s Mental Health Ontario: Featured speaker and panel facilitator during their annual (virtual) conference

February 15, 2023Mabin School, along with UTS: Featured speaker at community event
February 17, 2023

Telus Health: Presenter at annual Employers Connect virtual conference; will pre-record

March 7, 2023

Tourette Association of America: Featured speaker at Youth Ambassador and Rising Leaders Program in Washington, D.C.,

March 9, 2023

  • Speaker at small parental conference in Mississauga, March 9, 2023
  • Keynote speaker at virtual community event, April 6, 2023,
  • CIBC: 4-part interview video series (private), to be filmed April or May 2023

April 12, 2023The Study Academy: Featured speaker at community event
April 6, 2023

Kerry’s Place Autism Services: Keynote speaker at virtual community event.

May 2, 2023Air Canada: In-person keynote speech in Montreal.
May 20, 2023Tourette Association of America (US):  Presenter at national virtual conference.
March 8, 2023Montcrest School: Featured speaker at parental event.

Media Roundup

Authority Magazine, Mental Health Champions: Why & How Author Jan Stewart Is Helping to Champion Mental Wellness

Editor’s List: Authority Magazine’s Favorite ‘Five Things Videos’ About Mental Health Champions

Authority Magazine, How to Raise Children Who Feel Loved and Connected series

Podcast: Let’s Have This Conversation, with Kevin McShan

Podcast: The Parental Compass, with Bobby Williams

Dr. April Givens, PhD, Tips for Parents of Children with Mental Health Disorders

Twitter: Dr. April Givens, PhD

Instagram: Dr. April Givens, PhD

International OCD Foundation Winter Newsletter, Volume 36, Issue 4: Hold on Tight: A Parent’s Rollercoaster Journey with her Son’s OCD, published December 28, 2022

The Parental Compass, Bobby Williams, videoed December 19, 2022, aired December 28, 2022

Authority Magazine, Self-Care & Mental Wellness, published February 5, 2023

Excerpt