BLESSED are the Crazy
During the season of Lent, I will be leading a book study about mental illness based on the book, Blessed are the crazy: breaking the silence about mental illness, family & church, by Sarah Griffith Lund. Additionally, the hope is to open a willingness to discuss the issues surrounding mental illness and loving someone who is mentally ill. Too often our families suffer in silence believing they have nowhere to turn. Ideally, those who attend can learn they are not alone and there are those among them who are willing to walk the difficult roads of life, loving and supporting each other as we go.
Because of the silence and stigma which often surrounds mental illness, many have the misconception that it is something rare, something that happens to unusual people at the margins of society. We couldn’t be more wrong. According to Amy Simpson, author of Troubled Minds, "Every year in the United States, more than 25 percent of adults suffer from a diagnosable mental illness. These afflictions include serious and chronic diseases like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, as well as more common problems like depression and anxiety disorders—and everything in between."
According to NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness), "Although 1 in 5 teens lives with a mental health condition, more than half of them are not getting the help that they need. Raising awareness by sharing information and starting conversations about mental health is key in reducing misconceptions of mental health and increasing the likelihood that teens will seek help when they need it."
Author, Sarah Griffith Lund takes the lid off mental illness in this raw, honest look at her father’s battle with bipolar disorder, the helpless sense of déjà vu as her brother struggles with his own mental illness, and serving as spiritual advisor for her cousin, a mentally ill man executed for murder. Through the challenges and despair, she shows how churches can be safe havens for people who have brain diseases and for their loved ones. (From the book's abstract.)
Our individual willingness to enter the conversation can make a world of difference to those who suffer silently, whether you already have a church home, are looking for a church home or have no desire to be a part of any faith group. You, too, and the ones you love who suffer with mental illness, can benefit from being a part of the conversation.
This study will be held Wednesday evenings at the Bourbon County Public Library beginning February 17th and continuing through March 23rd. Books can be ordered at Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble or through Chalice Press.
Feel free to call the church for further information.
Blessings,
Tracy