Cambridge Uni Press signs Dr Linda Gask's 'powerful' book on women's mental health

Cambridge University Press has signed Out of Her Mind: How We Are Failing Women’s Mental Health and What Must Change from psychiatrist Dr Linda Gask. 

Catherine Barnes, commissioning editor for medicine, acquired world rights, including digital, directly from the author. The book will be published in October 2024. 

Drawing on interviews with women of different ages and backgrounds and her own personal and professional experience, Out of Her Mind "examines how society, mental health care and even feminism is failing women’s mental health and what must change".

The publisher added: "For centuries so called ’difficult women’ have been labelled as ’hysterical’ and ’out of their minds’. Today they wait longer for health diagnoses, often being told it’s ’all in their heads’. Although healthcare systems are overburdened, why are women the first to feel the effects of this? Why is it so hard for women to find the kind of help they need? Why is no one listening to them? And why have so many lost faith in mental healthcare?"

Barnes said: "Out of Her Mind is one of the most powerful books that I’ve read about women’s mental health and why it’s so hard for women to find the help they need. Linda writes beautifully, weaving together personal stories, expert commentary, and scientific evidence to illustrate the urgent need for change and how it can be achieved."

Gask added: "I hope this book will shine a light on how women and girls’ mental health problems have been neglected and what we can all do to make bring about change. I’m delighted to be publishing with a world-leading university press such as Cambridge and because of their immense enthusiasm and support for the project since day one."