The Meaning of Faith and Mental Illness

This is a book about mental illness. This is a book about faith. Taken together this book is about the psychospiritual unity of human being that finds expression in human being's primary character as a maker of meaning. As such this book can be read as one consumer's attempt to come to terms with his experience of severe mental illness. It can also be read as a small contribution to the emerging perspectives that construct theology from the locale of disability. In this case theology is rendered from the vantage of the disabling realities of neurochemical disease. Although this book can be regarded somewhat as an essay in pastoral or practical theology influenced by process thought my hope is that this little piece can benefit several audiences. It is written in hope that students of religion seminarians theologians and pastoral care givers will find it to be a personal and professional resource. It is written in hope that students of behavioral health care and mental health professionals can learn form it and use it as a clinical resource. It is written in hope that family members who have loved ones with mental illness can come to understand better some of the psychospiritual dilemmas faced by consumers. In all these ways it is written in hope that consumers will find greater empowerment and hope in our experiences of recovery.