Taking Charge – What happens when the doctor becomes a patient

‘Taking Charge’, a book by Graham Martin, is the story of Graham’s partial recovery from Transverse Myelitis. The book follows his journey from the first horrifying days in hospital, through a dedicated Spinal Unit, to his return to home, work and life.

Graham Martin was a general medical practitioner in England before migrating with his family to Australia in 1974 to complete his training in psychiatry. He has been Professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the University of Queensland since 2001 and, despite being an academic, has continued with an ongoing commitment to clinical work with troubled young people and their families.

Graham is best known for his published work in early detection and prevention of self-harm and suicide in young people, and is internationally recognized as a researcher, a developer of innovative national large-scale multimedia programs, a teacher and lecturer. For nearly 20 years he has been a member of national and state committees, and contributed to development of suicide prevention and other mental health strategies. Amongst his many awards, he received an OAM in 2006. He has also been an active commentator in radio, press and television, best known recently for his appearances on SBS television’s ‘The Silent Epidemic’, an ABC 7.30 Report on self-injury, and the 60 minutes program ‘The Hidden Epidemic’.  

Seeing the hospital from the inside for the first time, Graham’s intensely personal report of his journey through ‘Taking Charge’ will make you both laugh and cry.