Behind The Book You Are Not Alone With Doug Lawrence 

Mickey Mikkelson reconnected me with author Doug Lawrence to discuss his nonfiction book titled You Are Not Alone which is available to read now wherever you get your books! 

Q: Doug would you give a brief description of You Are Not Alone? What made now the right time to write it?

A: You Are Not Alone addresses the issue of there not being enough support for those who are suffering from mental health challenges. This issue or topic rings close to my heart as I had to deal with PTSD during my time in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The book suggests that we need to draw on mentors as a means to provide support. My research showed that there was a huge gap from when a person receives initial treatment until their next appointment and that they have nothing to rely on. In some cases, just getting their first appointment is a blessing.

In my cases I had to reach out to my spouse and children for that support when they also had to deal with my behavioral issues.

Q: What makes You Are Not Alone different from your other nonfiction books? What lessons and reminders do you hope readers walk away with when they turn the final page? 

A: My first book, “The Gift of Mentoring” is basically mentoring 101. 

I provided a path that people could follow if they wanted to implement mentoring or wanted to do so mentoring on their own.

You Are Not Alone is different in that it targets a challenge that we are facing globally and one that has reached epidemic levels. The idea that mentoring could be a part of the mental health support structure is a stretch for some folks to wrap their heads around but it is a viable solution to a global problem. 

What I recommend is that it is okay to step out of the closet and ask for help. Extend your hand, ask for help and you will be given that which you ask for. Remember, “You Are Not Alone”.

Q: Would you please provide your social media links so the readers of the blog & I can follow you and your work? 

A: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/doug.lawrence.1610/

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/douglawrence-mentor

Twitter: @DougLawrenceJM

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCE4YC1GkfHrQtFYgYrf8baQ

Website: https://www.talentc.ca