Mental Illness : The Integrated Catholic Life

Mental Illness : The Integrated Catholic Life
Excerpt:

Mental Illness

Cheryl Dickow | March 14, 2011 | 1 Comment

Christ the Consolator by Bloch

“If I have to be plagued with mental illness, then I’m going to be the best mentally ill patient I can be!” proclaimed 60-something Amy.
I half laughed and half choked at the statement but knew that Amy’s declaration was sincere. It seemed quite funny at the time but, let’s face it, mental illness is no laughing matter.
In fact, Amy’s announcement haunted me for many days.
I’ve known Amy for about 10 years and each time I see her, I am overwhelmed by how remarkable she is. She always speaks openly about her love of, and walk with, Jesus. When Amy offhandedly mentions some event where her point is how Jesus was “right there,” you can’t help but be flabbergasted at how easily she recounts something quite unsettling and then you are almost unable to grasp the whole “…but Jesus was with me” point of the story....
[God is close to the broken-hearted....]