He taunts me. The Goliath that stands before me. Oh he knows whose I am and the army that surrounds me. But he doesn’t care. He knows that one simple stone of fear cast my way could paralyze my senses. His voice has threatened my security in days past. I have responded by resisting his […]
Mental Illness
Guest Post: Starting Over is Not a Sign of Failure
Today Catherine Irwin shares how her family has navigated through the experience of supporting a family member living with mental illness. Please welcome her as she shares her story. Starting Over is Not a Sign of Failure. Starting over is not a sign of failure, but a mark of courage – a willingness to give […]
How You Can Help a Family With a Child Who is Affected by Mental Illness
Families with a child affected by a mental/neurological disorder often live a chaotic and stress filled existence. Often, the struggle is invisible to the public. Unknown to even neighbors, a series of chronic storms erupt inside the home. Furthermore, stigmas make seeking support challenging. Parents struggle to give time to all of their children […]
Regarding Mental Health: How the Church Can Be Supportive
T This piece was originally posted on http://forum.covquarterly.com/how-can-the-church-be-supportive-a-response-to-amy-simpson/ in response to an article published in The Covenant Quarterly. Amy Simpson’s article, “Supporting Families Living With Mental Illness” resonated deeply with me. Her story speaks of a journey that many walk in silence; one with which I am all too familiar. I am ordained in the […]
To the People Who Embrace My Daughter: Depression, Anxiety, and All
Words barely express the ways your actions have breathed life into my daughter. Movement into unknown territory involves risks. Your willingness to do that does not go unnoticed. As you know, she’s not one of those outgoing social butterfly types. She’s an observer. In addition, her mental illness makes identifying and controlling emotions challenging. She realizes […]
You are Not Alone: Hope for Parenting in Those Unexpected Moments
Upon giving birth to my first child, I was determined to be “that mom”-the one whose children would never fall prey to the sneaky dangers surrounding them. The phrase “My kids would never do THAT” echoed in my mind. What is “THAT” exactly? Electrical outlets? Covered (nevermind the fact that I once found a way to […]