Anthony Kenyon Stare: My Journey Through Mental Health Services

Eleven admissions under the Mental Health Act. Years spent inside secure units. A life defined by a volatile mix of Schizoaffective Disorder and Asperger's Syndrome.

Anthony Kenyon was 14 when a doctor told him he was unlikely to live a 'normal life' outside a hospital setting. From the age of ten, his journey became a turbulent cycle of inpatient stays in places like The McGuinness Unit and the Medium Secure Gardener Unit-environments where he experienced restraint, seclusion, and a constant, terrifying battle with paranoia, voices, and his own violent behaviour. The staff even had a name for his sudden shift to crisis: "The Anthony Kenyon Stare."

This memoir is a startlingly honest, raw account of what it means to be deemed "high-risk" by a system designed to help, and the deep, personal struggles that occur within locked doors.

Yet, beyond the harrowing incidents-from knife threats at home to police Pava-spraying him on a ward-Anthony's story is a powerful testament to the enduring strength of the human spirit. With profound gratitude for his parents, friends, and the dedicated professionals who never gave up, he shows that a fulfilling, independent life is possible.

​​​​​​​The Anthony Kenyon Stare is a vital memoir of resilience, offering hope and illustrating how the right support can transform a prognosis of lifelong institutional care into a future of purpose and independence.