ABC’s James Longman Opens Up About Family’s Mental Health Struggles in New Memoir

ABC News chief international correspondent James Longman has released a deeply personal memoir, *The Inherited Mind*, detailing his family’s history of mental illness and his own struggles with depression. The 39-year-old British journalist, who lost his father to suicide at the age of nine, explores the genetic and emotional legacies of mental health in his new book, which is now available.

Longman’s father, John, suffered from schizophrenia and died by suicide in a tragic incident involving a fire. Decades later, Longman embarked on a journey to understand his father’s life and illness, uncovering family secrets and medical records that shed light on his father’s struggles. ‘When someone dies by suicide, it’s like a bomb going off. It kills the person and injures everybody else,’ Longman said in an interview with PEOPLE.

The memoir also delves into Longman’s own experiences with depression, which he attributes in part to his genetic predisposition. However, he emphasizes the importance of hope and resilience. ‘Understanding the genetics of mental illness has made me really understand what’s happening to me and understand it as a separate thing from what happened to him,’ Longman told PEOPLE. ‘Genes are not your destiny.’

Longman’s research extended beyond his father’s life, as he also examined the mental health struggles of his grandfather and uncle, both of whom died by suicide. His mother, Ann, has battled depression, leading Longman to describe their family history as ‘The Longman Curse.’ Through conversations with geneticists and mental health experts, Longman discovered that while trauma can be inherited, so too can the capacity for healing.

In *The Inherited Mind*, Longman shares poignant memories of his childhood, including the moment he learned of his father’s death while at boarding school. He also reflects on the support of his husband, Alex Brannan, whom he credits with helping him through his darkest moments. ‘Community is so powerful,’ Longman said. ‘Alex has really just been my savior.’

The book aims to destigmatize mental illness and offer hope to those grappling with similar challenges. ‘There’s so much shame associated with these issues, and the idea is to punch through that shame and tell people there is a path forward,’ Longman explained. His memoir is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the possibility of breaking free from inherited trauma.