About me

Photo: Peter Gettins Photography

I am a writer based in Derby, whose debut novel, The A to Z of Normal, is now available worldwide as an ebook and paperback.

I began my working life as a journalist on a daily newspaper, before moving into fiction-writing. My short stories have won prizes, and been short-listed, in a variety of writing competitions.

As a sufferer of both obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and anxiety, I am passionate about mental health issues. Through my novel and this blog, I hope to raise awareness of these, and help to reduce the associated stigma.

I have also written for the mental health charities OCD Action and Mind, and the lifestyle magazine, Complete Wellbeing.

The views expressed here are my own, derived from my experiences and research. Whilst my posts may have a light-hearted tone, in no way do I wish to detract from the seriousness of any mental health condition. You will find links to relevant organisations on this blog, should you require further information or advice.

From the beginning of 2017, I switched writing direction, to blog about elderly care and dementia, in light of my experiences with my parents. There are also links on this site to organisations providing support and advice in these areas.

I hope you enjoy my writing and I look forward to receiving your comments.

Finally, I am available for speaking engagements, in my capacity as an author and/or mental health advocate. Please email me at helenbarbourblog@gmail.com if this is of interest to you or your organisation.