Memoir - Finding Peace of Mind

An inspirational journey through bipolar disorder, depression, addiction and dyslexia.

A true story of resilience, recovery, and self-discovery by Jonathan Kemp.

🛒 Buy your paperback, ebook, or audiobook now.

All Profits - from this book will be donated equally to four mental health charities for the first year following publication: SAMH in Scotland, AWARE NI in Northern Ireland, and AWARE in Ireland.

What if your greatest battles were invisible — and fought in your own mind?

Finding Peace of Mind is a powerful, practical, and deeply honest memoir. Jonathan Kemp shares his extraordinary journey through mental illness, addiction, and neurodiversity — and the lessons he learnt along the way.

Born into privilege and destined to inherit a title, his life took many unexpected turns. From punk rebellion to police work and entrepreneurship, all the while he silently faced undiagnosed bipolar disorder, depression, suicidal ideation, addiction, and dyslexia.

Everything changed after another devastating depressive episode. That crisis became the turning point, leading Jonathan to seek professional help and begin a continuing journey of challenges, healing and transformation.

More than a memoir — a roadmap to recovery

This book is much more than a personal story. It offers both Jonathan’s journey and practical insights to help others navigate mental health challenges.

The memoir is divided into three parts:

① The first tells his story with openness and courage.

② The second offers practical guidance for those living with mental health challenges and those supporting them.

③ The third and final part provides examples of resources and help available.

finding peace of mind

Inside the book, you’ll discover:

✅ A raw, personal account of life with bipolar disorder, depression and addiction

✅ The impact of dyslexia and how neurodiversity shapes self-esteem and mental health

✅ Why diagnosis and medication can be life-changing

✅ How support from others — professionals, friends, family — can make all the difference

✅ 14 foundations for resilience and emotional well-being

✅ How to create a personal Emergency Action Plan for crisis moments

✅ Practical strategies for recognising warning signs and managing hypomania

✅ Free access to SmartWisdom Online Training — a proven system for improving mental clarity and focus

Is this book for you?

Finding Peace of Mind is for anyone who:

  • Lives with mental health or neurodiversity challenges

  • Is a mental health professional seeking deeper, lived experience insight

  • Is a friend, colleague, or family member looking to understand and offer support

  • Works in high-stress environments and wants to protect their mental health

  • Is drawn to memoirs of resilience, growth and healing

  • Seeks honest, practical suggestions and hope

“We can continually strive for a better quality of life. The more knowledge and understanding we gain, the more we have the potential to achieve.”

What readers gain:

✅ A reminder that no one is alone

✅ Compassionate, first-hand insight into mental illness and recovery

✅ Practical suggestions to manage emotional health

✅ Encouragement and confidence that transformation is possible

✅ A valuable resource to return to again and again

Please remember — this book does not replace professional advice

If you have concerns about your mental health, always seek professional help. That may mean speaking to a doctor, psychiatrist, or mental health team. In emergencies, attend your local hospital or a 24/7 mental health service. If services are not available, seek support through charities or volunteer organisations.

This memoir offers lived experience and suggestions, but it can never be a substitute for medical advice.

Start Your Journey Today

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📅 Published: 10th October — World Mental Health Day & Dyslexia Awareness Week

Adapted quotes from the book

We should apply the same rules to our brain as we do for our body: if something is wrong, we need to ask for help.

Moderation and ‘one thing at a time’ are not words that come easily, but they are the kindest approach.

Enjoying small moments: like the sun’s rays, flowers, fresh coffee, or the breeze on our face — can bring calm and peace.

Readers’ feedback

Most of all, I found this memoir real. There is a rare kind of honesty in the author’s writing – unvarnished but not self-indulgent, compassionate without romanticising the pain. He invites the reader to sit with him in the chaos, not as a guide who's figured it all out, but as someone still walking the path with clarity and intention.
— M.D., Germany

What an amazing, inspirational story of perseverance, self-discovery, and success in the face of extraordinary adversity! Where most people would have given up and likely would not have survived to tell their story like the author did, his vivid memories and well-written descriptions of his journey and what he was experiencing are quite remarkable.
— L.C., USA

WITHOUT A DOUBT!! This is just superb… it deserves to be front & centre.
— T.P., UK

I loved this memoir. The first thing to say is that it reinforced a suspicion I have that 'privilege' isn’t always a matter of ease. Life can be tricky and even very testing for us, regardless of whatever privileges we may have. Once I’d started reading, I didn’t stop. I loved the writing style – easy and engaging, as if we were sitting together in a café having a good chat.
— D.N., UK

The author shares how his life has been transformed by the psychologists and therapists who helped him to diagnose his problems and prescribed medication that helps him stay healthy. His honesty is inspiring and I feel sure this book will be a great help to others who experience these challenges, and also to their families, friends and loved ones who may be impacted by these conditions.
— H.W., UK

I did find the book interesting, informative and inspirational, all three in equal measure. I found the personal style in section 2 very relatable. A book like this can sometimes feel a little heavy or patronising, but the style the author has used helps overcome this potential challenge.
— J.C., China

An extraordinary book of hope. The author tracks his fascinating life journey in a very readable and engaging style, with observations about how he has dealt with situations and developments in highly individual ways, while his multiple undiagnosed neurological conditions were completely unknown to him at the time. Quite apart from being uplifting and entertaining, this is also a must-read for anyone who knows someone with, or has themselves, or even thinks they have, any neurological conditions.
— J.W., UK

The second half of this book is the author’s self-help guide, which is a must-read for all those who find themselves in a similar situation or are in contact with people who are neurodivergent. This book provides advice, insights, and some of the practical steps the author used and uses to help manage his bipolar disorder, depression and dyslexia.
— M.L., UK

What comes through the author’s narrative is a brutal honesty about what it's like to live with bipolar disorder, depression, addiction, and dyslexia. I think it's beneficial to readers to understand the complexity of these diseases. His personal experience during his times of crisis is the most engaging — I'm pulling for him to get better! I'm invested in helping him find peace of mind.
— T.B., USA

One thing that struck me was the total absence of self-pity that it might be easy to fall into for some. It is a story of empowerment and success — not necessarily in a worldly sense all the time but in living a rich life regardless of your conditions. It also avoided being a ‘cheesy’ self-help manual, while still giving good advice to others!
— P.A., UK

The tone of the memoir is friendly, warm, and conversational. It makes a serious and often misunderstood topic feel accessible and real. The author’s ability to describe his emotional world so vividly really stayed with me.
— N.S., Romania

A valuable insight into the lived reality of multiple diagnoses.
— T.C., UK