My Dog, My Friend

Jacki resigned from the Scottish government to be at home and satisfy her yearning for a dog, and - five years on - still marvels at the positive impact that her scruffy lurcher has had on her life. Trading her long career within the public sector to that of a self-employed consultant, Jacki has continued to specialise in deepening the understanding about how people can be helped to flourish, feel more positive, and be happier. Jacki's book brings together her passion for dogs and her long-standing interest and expertise in mental health. All author royalties are being donated to the Samaritans. Professor Stephen Platt, Samaritans trustee, is Professor of Health Policy Research at the Centre for Population Health Sciences, University of Edinburgh. For over 30 years, he has pursued a research interest in mental health and suicidal behaviour, and has written exclusively on these topics. Involved in policy development and analysis relating to public mental health and mental health improvement, Stephen has also successfully collaborated with policy planners and practitioners working in these areas. Co-author of With Health in Mind (2002), an influential publication that helped to shift the debate about mental health in Scotland from the treatment of mental ill-health, to the promotion of positive mental wellbeing in the community. Stephen remembers with great fondness the many hours he spent as a child playing with two very lively family corgis.