'An invaluable collection'
BBC

'A seminal body of work that centres our voices authentically and unapologetically'
Melissa Cummings-Quarry, co-author of Grown and co-founder of Black Girls Book Club

The Colour of Madness is a groundbreaking anthology amplifying the voices of People of Colour and their experiences with mental health.

In this compelling collection, edited by Dr Rianna Walcott and Dr Samara Linton, over seventy contributors share their stories, essays, poetry, short fiction and artwork. Showcasing the voices of those who have been ignored, this book brings solace to those who have shared similar experiences, and sheds light into the everyday impact of racism for those looking to further understand and combat this injustice.

A vital and timely tribute to all those whose lives have been impacted by medical inequalities, this collection seeks to disrupt the whitewashed narrative of mental health in Britain and will help to positively transform the mental health and wellbeing of People of Colour.

The book was first published in 2018. Editors Dr Samara Linton and Dr Rianna Walcott ended their relationship with their previous publisher in 2021 when the press was linked to a far-right group. The editors have since collaborated with a new publisher to present this refined edition complete with revised contributions, new contributors and powerful artwork.

A powerful collection giving voice to the mental health struggles experienced by people of colour.

About the Author

Dr Samara Linton is an award-winning writer and multidisciplinary content producer. Her work includes Diane Abbott: The Authorised Biography (2020) and The Colour of Madness: Mental Health and Race in Technicolour (2022). After graduating from the University of Cambridge and University College London, Samara worked as a junior doctor in east London. In 2019, she was one of six applicants selected for the BBC Production Trainee Scheme and went on to work in the Audio Science Unit as an assistant producer for several BBC World Service and Radio 4 programmes. Samara currently works as a community manager at POCIT and is completing a MA in Health Humanities. She can be found tweeting at @Samara_Linton.

Dr Rianna Walcott is an academic, activist, writer, and musician. She is a LAHP-funded PhD candidate at Kings College London researching Black women's identity in digital spaces, and a graduate twiceover from the University of Edinburgh. Co-founder of projectmyopia, which promotes inclusivity in academia and decolonising the curriculum, Rianna has written for publications including The Wellcome Collection, Metro, Vice, Dazed and Guardian.

Reviews
Invaluable -- BBC
The Colour of Madness leaves my heart simultaneously aching at what Black and Brown people are forced to survive under, and full because I lost count of how many times I saw myself on these pages. -- Paula Akpan, journalist and author
The Colour of Madness is a seminal body of work that centres our voices authentically and unapologetically. -- Melissa Cummings-Quarry, co-founder of Black Girls Book Club
Full of beauty, pain, hope, sadness, humour, and a profound sense of power, this essential text captures the experience of mental health challenges for people of colour in their own words, through a simply stunning collection of poetry, story, and art. -- Dr Peter Olusoga, Chartered Psychologist and host of EightyPercentMental Podcast

This book, which shares the poignant lived voices of the racialised experience, is a welcome contribution to the mission to heal and positively transform our mental health, physical health and well-being.

-- Dr Jacqui Dyer, health and social care consultant, Black Thrive Global Director
The Colour of Madness is one of those texts you can't read without a pencil to mark beautiful/relatable/heartbreaking quotes. Heading home to find my pencil. -- Serena Arthur, founder of the award-winning Onyx magazine
I teach a BA module on Literature and Psychology and have been looking for a book like this for years! -- Samantha Walton, Lecturer: Bath Spa University
Deeply personal and sensitive...This book should be read by all trainees and seniors. Although it might make the reader feel uncomfortable, it will help them to build inclusive therapeutic relationships with patients from all ethnic backgrounds and improve the practical accessibility of mental healthcare. -- Anna Sri, head of Geopsychiatry
This collection is a painfully moving chronicle of structural harm; it is also a tender light in the darkness, guiding us towards collective healing -- Leah Cowan, author of Border Nation
A compassionate and hopeful book, encouraging us to be truly present and engage with the world around us beyond our biases. -- Pragya Agarwal, author of Sway: Unravelling Unconscious Bias
This beautiful curation will be a catalyst to our healing and emancipation. -- Seyi Akiwowo, author of How to Stay Safe Online: A digital self-care toolkit for developing resilience and allyship



Book Information
ISBN 9781529088496
Author Samara Linton
Format Hardback
Page Count 336
Imprint Bluebird
Publisher Pan Macmillan
Weight(grams) 590g
Dimensions(mm) 241mm * 164mm * 35mm