James Thomas Wight is a new voice in the discussion surrounding mental health. In his early teens, James experienced an event that left him feeling deeply upset. Instead of passing in time, these feelings grew and grew until he was no longer able to function around other people, eventually leading to a diagnosis of Social Anxiety Disorder. Aged 18 and unable to complete his education, move into the work place or form relationships, James shut himself away from the world for more than eight years. Eventually found by a mental health charity, their support and encouragement along with the publishing world’s desire to welcome under-represented writers prompted James to begin work on his debut memoir, entitled Inside Social Anxiety. Drawn from his many years of personal experience, its aim is to speak to other sufferers, their families and the mental health professionals that care for them, to become the strong, illuminating voice that wasn’t present for him earlier in life.