Bird Therapy

This is a sensitive, insightful and vital book, and it’s reading will have a positive impact on many people. It has wide appeal, for those struggling with mental health issues, for those who want to improve their wellness through connecting with nature and for those who are interested in birds. 

The foreword by Chris Packham is succint and hard hitting, highlighting effectively the difficulty of telling others about suicidal thoughts. Mental health is a difficult subject to talk about and I think there is a spectrum of difficulty when it comes to the topics it encompasses. As we see certain conditions (depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD) portrayed in popular culture, they become easier, more ‘mainstream’ to discuss. Male suicide however, seems to be one of the last taboos. Joe claims he isn’t brave for talking about his breakdown, that what he’s done should be an ordinary thing. Absolutely it should be ordinary; but there’s still a way to go before such conversations are normalised. By telling his story with such unflinching honesty, Joe paves the way for others to share their stories too. Because that’s ultimately what’s needed: for people to feel that they can talk about their struggles, especially when it’s very hard to do so.

I liked the accessible tone of this book, Joe’s language is informal and factual (rather than being either academic or overly emotive). He briefly talks about the amount of people affected by mental health conditions and the statistics from the charity MIND are stark. He moves on to power of nature for health, the New Economics Forum’s 5 ways to wellbing: to connect, to take notice, to give, to keep learning, and to be active. He makes a convincing argument for how birdwatching fits this brief perfectly. Joe tried all of the usual therapies, from counselling to medication, but nothing was as effective for his wellbeing journey as Bird Therapy. He’s not alone in this, as the survey he ran and other research can attest. Joe tells us “Nature and birdwatching can offer us a great deal of stability. In the life of someone living with daily mental health issues these consistencies can act as an anchor to the present and provide grounding.” Throughout the book there are two interwoven, inextricable strands: Joe’s bird watching encounters and his journey to wellbeing. Over the course of the book he shares touching accounts of his birdwatching adventures, sharing practical insights and tips for those wanting to give it a try. It is a very accessible activity and there is a lot of support and resources freely available. He also candidly describes the stages of his journey and how his mental health improved, I think this would be encouraging and supportive to those going through similar experiences. 

Overall, I think this is a very appealing book to those going through mental health difficulties, or those who simply want to harness the benefits to wellbeing which connecting with nature brings.

Nature is amazing. It has a power that almost all other entities lack; Joe Harkness knows this first-hand as nature, and particularly his affinity with birds, has helped him navigate around all-consuming mental health issues such as OCD, depression and generalised anxiety disorder. After suffering a nervous breakdown in 2013 he was eager to try different coping strategies outside of what the doctor recommended. It was then he discovered his love of birdwatching. I must admit that I feel great joy from watching the huge numbers of birds, of all different species, potter around my garden, eating the nuts and seeds we leave out, and bathing or taking a drink in the three birdbath's we have around our property, so I can definitely see the way this would be helpful to calm people and relieve stress.

The healing power of nature and its ability to transform a persons wellbeing is well documented but has largely been ignored in favour of drugs and traditional therapy sessions. We all need less time in front of screens and to try to go back to nature as much as possible. The book begins with Harkness at rock bottom but slowly builds to an inspiring conclusion where he is in a much better place mentally. It is really the author's emotional ode of appreciation to the natural world for all it has carried him through in recent times. Bird Therapy approaches birdwatching in a youthful, invigorating manner and wipes away the old idea that twitchers are all elderly folks in pack-a-macs. Each chapter documents his journey towards being a bird watcher and at the close of each chapter, he imparts useful hints and tips for those who wish to join the twitching fraternity too.

Those who enjoy the natural world or are looking for different ways to increase mindfulness will appreciate Bird Therapy. This comes very warmly recommended. Many thanks to Unbound for an ARC.

What an inspirational book.  Finding therapy in nature and more specifically bird watching is wonderful.  The author has a great writing style and you do not need to be a bird watcher (just a nature lover) to benefit from this book.  I love birds (not really a bird watcher though), they make me happy.and some special experiences will stay with me forever.  Such as the day when a Goshawk came to eat his lunch right outside my window.  We made eye contact and I will never forget the burn of his eyes. Watching the birds on the feeders, listening to birdsong and a glimpse of something a bit rare make you feel so good.  It is definitely therapeutic and I totally understand where the author is coming from and how it can help your mental state.  It would be fantastic if GPs could prescribe this book.  I hope it reaches many people especially those in need of some mental peace, and the feel of freedom.

Excellent! Uplifting and a truly mindful read.
It has taken people a long time to realise the healing power of nature.

Nearly every day I read articles about mental illness, burnout, and the stress of modern life. And do you know what will often make the list of ways to relieve or remedy the symptoms? Time spent in Nature! Time spent out-of-doors, away from screens surrounded by sky and trees, near bodies of water, in the company of birds and other wildlife will do much to calm the mind, relieve tension and stress, and leave one with an overall sense of wellbeing.

In Bird Therapy, Joe Harkness shares his personal story of living with OCD, generalized anxiety disorder, and depression, and how he manages it with hours outside birdwatching. Let me just say that even though the book begins with his mental state in a dark and dangerous place, the book doesn't stay there and doesn't focus on his illness. It's a positive read about how much his life has changed for the better because of what he calls "Bird Therapy". 

If you're like I was before reading this book, you might tend to think birdwatching is for retired, elderly people or just for super nerdy types. But the author became a birdwatcher as a young man, so the book is written with a youthful voice full of energy and enthusiasm. 

In each chapter, he shares a different glimpse of his birdwatching journey, from his very first attempts to connect with other birders, to setting up his first bird feeders in his back garden, to finding a patch to call his own. He describes experiences of rare bird sightings, interactions with other birders, regular visits to his patch, and what it is like to birdwatch in different seasons. At the end of each chapter, he shares a list of helpful tips for people who would like to begin the birdwatching adventure.

An interesting and positive aspect of this book is that it's published by Unbound, a crowd-funded indie publisher. 

If you or someone you know struggles with mental illness, you would benefit from reading this book. Also, if you're curious about birdwatching, especially about how to get started, read this book. After reading Bird Therapy, I am paying closer attention to the birds all around me, and am spending more time outside every day. This book is recommended reading!