Shadows in the Sun

"Ramprasad admirably offers an honest depiction of depression as an ongoing struggle. She reminds readers that not all cultures deal with mental illness in the same way, and her hard-won triumph makes it easy for readers to support her crusade of hope."
--Publishers Weekly
"A well-written, novel-like story offering hope for recovery for families in the throes of mental illness."
--Kirkus Reviews
"Mental illness recognizes no borders, yet few books have explored the difficulties of individuals dealing with cultural differences and none has done it better than Shadows in the Sun. Beautifully written, Gayathri Ramprasad chronicles the devastating impact that depression wreaks on an entire family and then brings us into the light with her inspiring story of recovery. This book is a true gift to all those struggling with a mental disorder and those of us who love them. In writing it, Gayathri Ramprasad establishes herself as an international voice of hope."
--Pete Earley, author of CRAZY: A Father's Search Through America's Mental Health Madness
"Gayathri Ramprasad writes eloquently about depression, and about building a meaningful life in the face of mental illness.
--Andrew Solomon, National Book Award-winning author of The Noonday Demon: An Atlas of Depression
Everyone who struggles with a mental illness, or who knows anyone with depression, anxiety, or any other mental illness, must read this engrossing true story of courage in the face of heartbreaking adversity."
--Dilip V. Jeste, M.D., President, American Psychiatric Association
"Gayathri's story of self-transformation is a marvel and inspiration for all of us--those who suffer, those who serve--that even at the darkest moments, hope, recovery and peace are possible."
--Christopher Gordon, MD, medical director, Advocates Inc.; Associate clinical professor of psychiatry, Harvard Medical School
"She has broken the silence for Indians across the globe and makes it possible for all of us, and especially our children, to embrace their most powerful experiences as opportunities for extraordinary transformation."
--Chacku Mathai, STAR Center director, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
"Shadows in the Sun is an excellent source for any clinician, patient, or family member to understand the disease of depression and the cost that keeping the disease hidden is having on all family cultures."
--R. Murali Krishna, MD, president, INTEGRIS James L. Hall, Jr. Center for Mind, Body & Spirit
"Her unflinching honesty is a powerful weapon against the experience of depression which so often eludes language and is shrouded in silence."
--Clare Miller, director, Partnership for Workplace Mental Health, American Psychiatric Foundation
"A tremendous contribution to our understanding and appreciation of the evolution of depression, in the context of culture and the impact among cultures."
--David Satcher, MD, PhD, Director, Satcher Health Leadership Institute Morehouse School of Medicine, Poussiant-Satcher-Cosby Chair in Mental Health, 16th Surgeon General of the United States
"Gayathri pens a memoir about an anguishing mental illness that ends in redemption and grace."
--Therese Borchard, author of Beyond the Blue
"A testament to the power of perseverance, and a must-read for anyone looking for living proof that all things are possible."
--Jeff Bell, author, Rewind, Replay, Repeat: A Memoir of OCD; Founder, The adversity 2 advocacy alliance
"Living proof of the healing power of understanding."
--Brandon Staglin, schizophrenia survivor and Communications Director, International Mental Health Research Organization (IMHRO)
"Anyone reading her book will gain valuable insight into what it is like to struggle with serious emotional and mental disorders, as well as receiving a most precious gift--reason to believe that such a harrowing journey can lead to hope and healing."
--John Head, author of Standing in the Shadows: Understanding and Overcoming Depression in Black Men
"Shadows in the Sun illuminates us all with fierce truth and beauty, and inspires us to our core."
--Janine Francolini Founder, The Flawless Foundation
"Shadows in the Sun fights the stigma and cultural misunderstanding of mental illness on a global scale. A must read, even if mental illness has not touched your family."
--Jessie Close, BringChange2Mind
"Highly recommended--You don't have to be depressed or have experienced depression or mental illness to read Shadows in the Sun. It is an utterly fascinating, compelling, passionate memoir that also offers a great cultural perspective on life in India and what it's like to be an immigrant."
--Bookfoolery.blogspot.com
"The struggles that [Gayathri] and her family underwent through will help others feel less alone as well as isolated and perhaps this book can help break barriers down so people who suffer won't be treated badly."
--Svetla-randomblog.blogspot.com"
"A well-written, novel-like story offering hope for recovery for families in the throes of mental illness."
- Kirkus Reviews
"Gayathri Ramprasad writes eloquently about depression, and about building a meaningful life in the face of mental illness.
-Andrew Solomom, National Book Award-winning author of "The Noonday Demon: An Atlas of Depression"
Everyone who struggles with a mental illness, or who knows anyone with depression, anxiety, or any other mental illness, must read this engrossing true story of courage in the face of heartbreaking adversity."
--Dilip V. Jeste, M.D., President, American Psychiatric Association
"Gayathri's story of self-transformation is a marvel and inspiration for all of us--those who suffer, those who serve--that even at the darkest moments, hope, recovery and peace are possible."
--Christopher Gordon, MD, medical director, Advocates Inc., Associate clinical professor of psychiatry, Harvard Medical School
"She has broken the silence for Indians across the globe and makes it possible for all of us, and especially our children, to embrace their most powerful experiences as opportunities for extraordinary transformation."
--Chacku Mathai, STAR Center director, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
""Shadows in the Sun, "" is an excellent source for any clinician, patient, or family member to understand the disease of depression and the cost that keeping the disease hidden is having on all family cultures."
--R. Murali Krishna, MD, president, INTEGRIS James L. Hall, Jr. Center for Mind, Body & Spirit
"Her unflinching honesty is a powerful weapon against the experience of depression which so often eludes language and is shrouded in silence."
--Clare Miller, director, Partnership for Workplace Mental Health, American Psychiatric Foundation
"A tremendous contribution to our understanding and appreciation of the evolution of depression, in the context of culture and the imp
"Gayathri, through the book, has made a tremendous contribution to our understanding and appreciation of the evolution of depression, in the context of culture and the impact among cultures. The message of my Surgeon General Report- Mental Health: Culture, Race, and Ethnicity come alive in this very interesting book."
- David Satcher, MD, PhD, Director, Satcher Health Leadership Institute Morehouse School of Medicine, Poussiant-Satcher-Cosby Chair in Mental Health, 16th Surgeon General of the United States

""Shadows in the Sun" is a gripping memoir of Gayathri Ramprasad's childhood in Bangalore and life in America. She generously takes the readers on her journey from love and security to distress and despair, and finally to hope, recovery and advocacy. Her unflinching honesty is a powerful weapon against the experience of depression which so often eludes language and is shrouded in silence. Gayathri spares nothing in her rich, eloquent descriptions; her prose transports readers from the rich smells of jasmine, turmeric and vermillion to the brutal depths of anxiety and depression. She has given us all a gift by sharing her deepest pain and brightest joys."
- Clare Miller Director, Partnership for Workplace Mental Health, American Psychiatric Foundation
"Gayathri Ramprasad's memoir "Shadows in the Sun" guides the reader on a genuinely enlightening journey through the abyss of clinical depression, to a resplendent life beyond. As her story reveals, Ms. Ramprasad is living proof of the healing power of understanding the suffering of others, and of sharing one's inner light. For millions living with mental illness, the symptoms and associated stigma can make life seem hopeless. For us, and for anyone, Ms. Ramprasad's efforts offer hope."
-Brandon Staglin, schizophrenia survivor and Communications Director, International Mental Health Research Organization (IMHRO)

"Gayathri Ramprasad's poignant account of her journey through depressi

""Shadows in the Sun" is a gripping memoir of Gayathri Ramprasad's childhood in Bangalore and life in America. She generously takes the readers on her journey from love and security to distress and despair, and finally to hope, recovery and advocacy. Her unflinching honesty is a powerful weapon against the experience of depression which so often eludes language and is shrouded in silence. Gayathri spares nothing in her rich, eloquent descriptions; her prose transports readers from the rich smells of jasmine, turmeric and vermillion to the brutal depths of anxiety and depression. She has given us all a gift by sharing her deepest pain and brightest joys."
- Clare Miller Director, Partnership for Workplace Mental Health, American Psychiatric Foundation
"Gayathri Ramprasad's memoir "Shadows in the Sun" guides the reader on a genuinely enlightening journey through the abyss of clinical depression, to a resplendent life beyond. As her story reveals, Ms. Ramprasad is living proof of the healing power of understanding the suffering of others, and of sharing one's inner light. For millions living with mental illness, the symptoms and associated stigma can make life seem hopeless. For us, and for anyone, Ms. Ramprasad's efforts offer hope."
-Brandon Staglin, schizophrenia survivor and Communications Director, International Mental Health Research Organization (IMHRO)

"Gayathri Ramprasad's poignant account of her journey through depression is a must read! Her haunting descriptions of her major struggles with not only the symptoms of the disease, but her shame and stigma from her family culture are riveting and palpable. Her determination to bring the disease " into the light" as a brain disorder is now helping thousands of others to embrace their own mental illness and deal with these diseases in more educated, compassionate and healing ways. "Shadows in the Sun" is an excellent source for any clinician, patient or family member to understand the diseas

"Gayathri Ramprasad's poignant account of her journey through depression is a must read! Her haunting descriptions of her major struggles with not only the symptoms of the disease, but her shame and stigma from her family culture are riveting and palpable. Her determination to bring the disease " into the light" as a brain disorder is now helping thousands of others to embrace their own mental illness and deal with these diseases in more educated, compassionate and healing ways. "Shadows in the Sun" is an excellent source for any clinician, patient or family member to understand the disease of depression and the cost that keeping the disease hidden is having on all family cultures."
-R. Murali Krishna, MD, DLFAPA President & Co-Founder, INTEGRIS James L. Hall, Jr. Center for Mind, Body & Spirit
President & COO, INTEGRIS Mental Health, Clinical Professor, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center

""Shadows in the Sun" is a gripping memoir of Gayathri Ramprasad's childhood in Bangalore and life in America. She generously takes the readers on her journey from love and security to distress and despair, and finally to hope, recovery and advocacy. Her unflinching honesty is a powerful weapon against the experience of depression which so often eludes language and is shrouded in silence. Gayathri spares nothing in her rich, eloquent descriptions; her prose transports readers from the rich smells of jasmine, turmeric and vermillion to the brutal depths of anxiety and depression. She has given us all a gift by sharing her deepest pain and brightest joys."
-Clare Miller Director, Partnership for Workplace Mental Health, American Psychiatric Foundation

""Shadows in the Sun "is a deeply informative and terrifyingly real portrait of depression, and a tremendously inspiring account of recovery. Gayathri's story of self-transformation is a marvel and inspiration for all of us -

"Shadows in the Sun is a deeply informative and terrifyingly real portrait of depression, and a tremendously inspiring account of recovery. Gayathri's story of self-transformation is a marvel and inspiration for all of us - those who suffer, those who serve - that even at the darkest moments, hope, recovery and peace are possible. The experience of hearing this story from Gayathri herself, with her radiant energy, passion and love, is a treasure."
- Christopher Gordon, M.D., Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School


"Ramprasad writes eloquently about depression, and about building a meaningful life in the face of mental illness.
-Andrew Solomom, National Book Award-winning author of "The noonday Demon: An Atlas of Depression"


"This is an inspiring and heartwarming story. For millions of people suffering from mental illnesses, this is a vivid illustration that there is light at the end of the tunnel. What makes this book unique is its cross-cultural context of the life of an immigrant. Gayathri migrated not only from India to the U.S., but also into and out of a serious mental illness. Everyone who struggles with a mental illness, or who knows anyone with depression, anxiety, or any other mental illness, must read this engrossing true story of courage in the face of heartbreaking adversity."
--Dilip V. Jeste, M.D., distinguished professor of psychiatry and neurosciences, University of California-San Diego, and president, American Psychiatric Association


"A tender tale of perseverance, courage and determination. Weaving together colorful threads from two different cultures in rich, beautiful prose, Gayathri pens a masterpiece about an anguishing mental illness that ends in redemption and grace. Hers is a powerful story of hope, resilience, and recovery."
-Therese Borchard, author of "Beyond the Blue: Surviving Depression & Anxiety and Making the Most of Bad Genes"
"Ramprasad writes eloquently about depression, and about building a meaningful life in the face of mental illness.
-Andrew Solomom, National Book Award-winning author of "The noonday Demon: An Atlas of Depression"

"This is an inspiring and heartwarming story. For millions of people suffering from mental illnesses, this is a vivid illustration that there is light at the end of the tunnel. What makes this book unique is its cross-cultural context of the life of an immigrant. Gayathri migrated not only from India to the U.S., but also into and out of a serious mental illness. Everyone who struggles with a mental illness, or who knows anyone with depression, anxiety, or any other mental illness, must read this engrossing true story of courage in the face of heartbreaking adversity."
--Dilip V. Jeste, M.D., distinguished professor of psychiatry and neurosciences, University of California-San Diego, and president, American Psychiatric Association

"A tender tale of perseverance, courage and determination. Weaving together colorful threads from two different cultures in rich, beautiful prose, Gayathri pens a masterpiece about an anguishing mental illness that ends in redemption and grace. Hers is a powerful story of hope, resilience, and recovery."
-Therese Borchard, author of "Beyond the Blue: Surviving Depression & Anxiety and Making the Most of Bad Genes"