To Loose the Bonds of Injustice: The Plight of the Mentally Ill and What the Church Can Do

This work is the first to address the living conditions of the mentally ill from the standpoint of social justice. It is the first for religion to partner with the psychiatric field from a spiritual vantage point to improve the lives of those afflicted with medical social and spiritual maladies. It is written by someone who has lived with the challenges of a marginalized human being someone who has insights that no one in the mainstream has experienced. Professionals often write from the viewpoint of someone observing their patients from the outside. Instead Ms. Murphy tells what it feels like from the inside--to be afflicted with emotional physical and social challenges that hinder development and success. This project offers solutions on many levels unique by virtue of who and what the author is: someone that has been in the darkest depths of severe distress and who found that Christ is the only hope for the mentally afflicted; and the church as Christs body though imperfect has a vital role in healing and restoration. In her first book Voices in the Rain Marcia Murphy gives an account of her struggle with serious mental illness. In this one she tells what it is like to be stigmatized and victimized on account of such illness. But her suffering has brought her closer to God and shown her what we all must do to show compassion and correct injustice of this sort. Hers is a rare and powerful voice one worth listening to. --Russell Noyes Jr. MD University of Iowa Marcia Murphys new book is a clarion call to all faith communities to take seriously their ministry to mentally ill persons in their midst and community. Her testament to the power of faith in healing challenges each of us to daily live our faith in acts of compassion and justice that touch this often-invisible population. Read it learn weep and then act to reach out in love. --Mark W. Martin Honorably Retired Presbyterian Church U.S.A. This remarkable book should be on the reading list of all mental health professionals and mental health policy makers. It describes in rich detail how current mental health policy and treatment standards impact intricate aspects of the day-to-day life of someone suffering mental illness . . . Fortunately Murphy has strong faith and a supportive faith community. This strength also allows her to portray accurately the struggles she faces in light of our inhumane treatment of people suffering mental illness. --Carolyn L. Turvey PhD University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine Marcia Murphy presents an insightful examination of the societal roots of injustices experienced by persons with mental illness. She gives an inside view of the effect that they along with mental health policies and services have on their daily lives. Thankfully she is able to provide a light in this darkness. With her faith and faith community playing integral roles she found a model of care that restores dignity and human rights to the mentally ill which she offers to us all. --Del D. Miller MD University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine Marcia A. Murphy has published articles essays and works of creative nonfiction in professional psychiatric journals anthologies and newspapers. She is the author of Voices in the Rain: Meaning in Psychosis.