We know how important mental health is, and how essential it is to our lives. But, accessible literature on the subject can be hard to find. Salmon Run: Book 1 is a graphic novel by Jeff McIntyre that explores the depths of mental health issues like addiction and the humanity in us all. I recently sat down with McIntyre to discuss Salmon Run and what it means to him.
“It’s important that I tell this story because I can,” McIntyre says. “A lot of people that have had the struggles that I’ve had in life will never have the opportunity to put a story like this forward.”
Salmon Run: Book 1 opens on a peaceful memory interrupted by the painful reality of one man’s struggle with addiction. Fish wakes beside an overflowing ashtray and empty liquor bottles to find that his girlfriend has left him and he’s lost his job. He decides that his bender from the night before will be his last and sets out to rediscover himself—but his mental demons come along for the ride.
Jeff McIntyre. Photo by Nicolai Gregory.
“Mental health issues affect a substantial portion of our friends and family. Still, they remain shrouded in stigma and misunderstanding. It’s time to share more stories. I hope [Salmon Run] promotes understanding, compassion, and inclusivity while challenging stereotypes and misconceptions about mental health,” says McIntyre.
“This book is an invitation to appreciate and recognize the humanity within every individual regardless of their mental health journey.”
“One final shot. Just to level out.” – Excerpt from Salmon Run: Book 1.
“[The book is] a compilation of many different life experiences and stories to form one. So, it’s not one true story that happened. It’s a collection of events that fit together into a single narrative, some of them happened, some of them are fiction that describe many experiences,” says McIntyre. “It’s actually many stories put into one simple story, and I hope that people can see bits and pieces of it in their own life.”
Jeff McIntyre. Photo by Nicolai Gregory.
“Today, I need to slow down. To try to live in the moment. To feel joy. To at least feel safe.” – Excerpt from Salmon Run: Book 1.
“I’m the happiest dad, a happy husband. I volunteer early in the morning, Saturday morning, flooding the ice at Fisher Park. I have a very full and happy life… I think it’s important that there are good stories out there for people with mental health [issues], and I hope that it gives them a little bit of hope to see that.”
Salmon Run: Book 1 is available for pre-order at BlueberryLakeStudios.com and will be available for purchase at that site after the official book launch on April 13. Visit McIntyre’s website for updates or visit him in person at Salon International du Livre de Quebec from April 10-14, the Toronto Comic Arts Festival from May 11-12, or the Montreal Comic Arts Festival from May 24-26.
