"Heartbreaking, maddening, humorous, and hopeful: the definitive psych ward memoir."

San Francisco, CA—An in-depth exploration of the stigma of mental illness and suicide, the danger of cults, and family dynamics, Debbie Hartung sheds light on the shortfalls of the mental health care system while she spent seven days inside a mental health ward after a suicide attempt. Her powerful memoir, The Factory of Maladies, is written with compassion and is maddening, heartbreaking, humorous, and ultimately, hopeful. Originally a series of journal entries, Debbie recalls her recovery and the confusion and fear that came along with it in this deeply personal story.

"Poignant, powerful, and necessary, The Factory of Maladies is a must-read for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of mental health. Hartung's bravery in telling such a profoundly human story offers us all an opportunity for reflection and empathy." —Juliana J. Bruno, Author of Reasons to Live and host of the I Don't Care About You podcast

Debbie Hartung awakens in a psych ward, her memories fragmented. This book is like a diary of her seven-day ordeal, a raw and visceral journey through the dehumanizing routines and unsettling encounters within the institution. It also exposes the role family can play in helping or harming a patient in distress. During her stay, she was tormented by her time in her aunt's new age cult, while trying to reach out to those who have her best interests in mind. Additionally, she bravely reveals the inadequacies of our current mental health system. The Factory of Maladies exposes the disorientation and complexities of mental illness and a quest for healing amidst the chaos of crisis.

"Engaging, distinctive, expertly written, and very personal, Debbie's account of her time in a psych ward is a deep and humanizing look into the complexities of mental health. It is a call to action for reform of the system, highlighting where the care of patients fell short." —John Kelly, Detroit Free Press

Debbie opens the first chapter with, "I awoke to find myself in a beige room—thin blankets haphazardly covered my shivering body. The room was freezing; my teeth clattered, and I could see my breath in the dim light. It felt like there was a sledgehammer in my head—my frontal cortex throbbed and pounded; there was a tingling and dull ache from my neck all the way down my spine. My jaw was locked and clenched. I shook and perspired; my limbs felt heavy and sore. I had the vague sense that someone else was in the room with me." Her detailed and evocative descriptions bring the scenes to life, as readers are thrown into her shoes from page one. They get a glimpse into how the brain acts and thinks after a traumatic event.

"Hartung's raw and real account explores complicated family dynamics and questionable spiritual leadership while dispelling myths about mental health care. Hartung shows us what this journey feels and looks like from inside." —Nita Sweeney, Author of Depression Hates a Moving Target

Beautifully written and shockingly personal, The Factory of Maladies is a must-read. It is an eye-opener for the struggles of mental health and what areas of the system desperately need reform. For further information, check out www.thefactoryofmaladies.com or on Instagram.

"Few authors have been able to create the visual and auditorial reality of the perceptions and experiences of mentally challenged patients with the skill Hartung possesses." —Grady Harp, Amazon Top 100 Hall of Fame Reviewer, 5-Stars

The Factory of Maladies available on Amazon in print (ISBN 979-8991261500, $19.95) and Kindle (ASIN: B0DZ9JDJSZ, $0.99).

About Debbie Hartung: Debbie is a San Francisco-based abstract artist and author. Debbie studied Psychology and Visual Art at the University of San Francisco and graduated Cum Laude in 2004. She is an avid traveler and is passionate about the healing powers of the arts, including visual mediums, music, and writing. The Factory of Maladies is her literary debut, chronicling her healing crisis on a psychiatric ward. Explore her art at www.debbiehartungart.com. 

Media Contact: For a review copy of The Factory of Maladies or to arrange an interview with Debbie Hartung, contact Scott Lorenz of Westwind Book Marketing at scottlorenz@westwindcos.com or by phone at 248-705-2214. Reach Lorenz on Twitter @abookpublicist