Hiding in the Open

​Title: Hiding in the Open: Living Sensitively
Author: Niki Saks
Publisher: The Golden Goose Institute
Reviewer: Hazel Makuzeni
Niki Saks is an amazing woman. Not only is she a serial entrepreneur, a writer and a wellness coach, but she’s also a woman on a mission, a profound mission to shine a spotlight on mental wellness. Diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD) at age 47, in this book she tells her story about her struggles with mental illness. She’s brutally 

honest about her lived experiences with anorexia, depression, anxiety, and dysfunctional relationships. She also shares the difficult journey of self-discovery.
Unlike other illnesses, mental illness is still stigmatised by many in society. Families hide or shun family members who suffer from mental disorders. I don’t know how many times I’ve heard of someone’s child being ‘bewitched’ when he/she has a mental breakdown or an episode. Instead of being taken straight to a hospital, that individual will be sent to a traditional healer or to a church to drive the demons out. I guess it’s much better for parents to deal with a child who’s ‘possessed’ by the devil than someone who is mentally unwell. Society is cruel. No family wants to be associated with a person who is deemed crazy. And this is the shame of it all, because how do we expect those who may sense that something is not okay with their wellbeing to seek help and be vulnerable?
In South Africa many older women are viciously killed every year – accused of being witches, even by their own children. Dementia is the Antichrist in our land. It is truly a No Country for Old Women. And the humiliation and condemnation cuts across class, race and creed. “Depression isn’t for the rich,” that’s what the author’s own mother once said! 
The author does an amazing job in demystifying psychological conditions. Some of which are caused by an imbalance in brain chemicals, some by traumatic experiences. The author grew up in a dysfunctional household, with an abusive and alcoholic father. The first years of her life were just filled with fear and sadness.
The book is full of compassion and inspiration, for that I say THANK YOU, Niki. Your book is much-needed. It’s essential to create more awareness and understanding around mental health issues. I believe knowledge is power, and our societies urgently need transformation.     ​