"An honest, engaging and most of all, hopeful book."- Adam Kay, BAFTA-winning, multi-million-bestselling author, TV writer and performer "Warm, funny and devastatingly honest. An incredibly insightful story full of hope and resilience."- Dr Amir Khan, Sunday Times Bestselling Author and Resident Doctor for ITV’s Lorraine and Good Morning Britain "The commonly held view that the widespread stigma attached to mental illness is the result of misinformation in the population has spawned a wave of well-meaning, but largely ineffective, public education campaigns. The fact is that stigma is largely the result of the reality of the lived experience of persons with mental illness, characterised by exclusion and violence, not least in the health care system. The battle against stigma must begin with placing the lives of humans at the heart of all conversations about mental illness and this book is an exemplar of such an endeavour. Professor Hankir offers an inspiring rebuke to the nihilism which prevails in society about mental illness through the courage, resilience and hope of his personal journey." - Vikram Patel, Paul Farmer Professor and Chair of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School, USA "Professor Hankir's incredible story describing his extraordinary experiences is an important contribution to the mental health literature. Essential reading especially for persons living with a mental health condition, their loved ones and carers and mental health practitioners."- Professor Tamsin Ford, Head of the Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge "Embracing a world of life challenges, and guided by his expertise, both personal and professional, Professor Ahmed Hankir has given us a gift – a true Breakthrough. This timely book reminds us that mental health "flaws" can be tools: that vulnerability and shared humanity can be deployed to heal our fellow wounded travellers."- Andrés Martin, MD, PhD, Riva Ariella Ritvo Professor, Yale Child Study Center and Medical Director, Children's Psychiatric Inpatient Service at Yale-New Haven Children's Hospital, Connecticut USA. Editor Emeritus, Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry "A story of an extraordinary, challenged, and packed life in which Ahmed bravely recounts, with every humility and grace, the life journey which has made him a unique and powerful role model for all who face adversity in their lives. This book is a toolkit for turning hopelessness into success, sadness into deep joy and stigmatisation into fuel for positively transforming others’ lives. Please, please, please read Professor Hankir’s inspirational book, it will change your life."- Professor Ged Byrne MBE, Director Global Health, Consultant Surgeon, NHS England "I was present at the 75th World Health Organization World Health Assembly in Geneva when Dr Ahmed Hankir delivered his acceptance speech for the WHO Director General Award for Global Health. Just as this book is written from the heart, he spoke from the heart, and I was moved to tears as a Health Minister [of Malaysia] confronted with the immense pressure of handling the pandemic in my country. Breakthrough is a delightful recollection of Ahmed's journey from a happy childhood to his mental health challenges as a medical student and finally to professional recognition and international acclaim. Breakthrough demolishes the stigma associated with mental illness through Ahmed's own personal struggles and triumphs and is told with great empathy, humility and a liberal dose of humor. A must read for anyone who believes in compassion and kindness in helping others and themselves." - Khairy Jamaluddin, Vice President of the 75th WHO World Health Assembly and Former Minister of Health of Malaysia