Alumna, Sarah Martin (nee Kinchington, Class of 1982) is publishing her first book Dear Psychosis in February 2023.

Sarah started at Loreto Normanhurst in 1972 in 2nd grade and says she is still in contact with many of the “beautiful young girls and boys” she attended with.

Much of what Sarah learnt at Loreto is still with her today. “Sitting still and quiet was not my strong point, in fact I often had on my report that Sarah should not talk in class. But I learnt to never give up, made friendships for life and drew on a faith that has helped me through our family’s journey of mental ill health. I have fond memories of my teachers, Sr Anna and Ms Stabler from the junior school and Mrs Copeland, Mr Ouvrier and Mr Badger”.

Sarah currently works at North Shore Specialist Day Hospital, Greenwich as a peri operative nurse and is a mental health advocate and mental health first aid accredited. She is married to Shane, and they have three wonderful kids, Jesse, Alice and Harry.

Sarah’s book, Dear Psychosis, tells her family's journey with mental ill health. 

What would you do if you received a message from a stranger telling you that your daughter who is travelling alone in Turkey, is having some sort of mental ill health episode?

Dear Psychosis, is a confronting, frightening, dramatic and definitely a no holds barred account of a family's experience following their daughter's psychotic episode in Istanbul, and her later diagnosis of bipolar disorder.

To some it may be a warning, to others a story of hope. It is a strong reminder that human contact is a most important need. The connection to almost strangers in Turkey, to the love of a family unit in Australia and now the strength to break the silence and share their experience of mental ill health.

The preface for 'Dear Psychosis' is available here.

Sarah’s aim is for her readers to feel – strength, hope, awareness, resilience, and empathy.

The book is due to be self-published in February 2023, with 1 March the ‘official launch day’.

To purchase a copy, click here. To see Sarah’s book writing journey, visit her Instagram here.

“By reading my book you are not only helping break the silence of mental ill health, but you are assisting us in making as much noise as possible.”