My journey in mental health began in a psychiatric hospital in 2004, where I worked as a mental health tech. The seeds of discontent were sown there and I have since harvested several years of grief, and anger, and shame. My shame is for the Church, of whom I am a part, who should know better, who should do better. I am more convinced than ever that mental illness is the biblical leprosy of our time, that there is no group of people more relegated to the margins in our society (altough I think the aged among us fare only slightly better). The purpose of this blog is to start people talking about mental illness, and to re-introduce an ignored (intentionally or unintentionally) group of people to a Church who is called to care for the broken.
matt said...
1hey mark, your new site looks cool. i have subscribed to it so i’ll get your updates automatically. happy blogging.
11/24/08 10:39 PM | Comment Link
WeissGuy said...
2I look forward to the discussion.
In July, I started working for Goodwill Industries as an Employment Consultant. I help people with barriers to employment find employment then keep the jobs once they have them.
Sometimes our clients’ “barriers” are related to mental health, so I’m beginning to gain understanding of the topic.
Well, I’ve subscribed, too, so blog on.
11/25/08 7:03 AM | Comment Link
Gary said...
3Dude. This looks like a fun project. I am really curious where you will take this. I think that in our consumer culture, we like the mentally ill to be in special institutions where we can visit them and they can be cared for by experts. I’m not sure what it would take to have the sort of relational intimacy with the mentally ill that I preach for the rest of the church.
Thanks for the blog.
- gary
11/25/08 8:05 AM | Comment Link
Kevin said...
4Mark, great idea!
Thanks for your advocacy on behalf of those with chronic and persistent mental illness. I am excited to see where you go with this.
11/25/08 9:08 AM | Comment Link
Craig said...
5A friend forwarded me this link and I must say that I am intrigued. As someone who has struggled for some time with mental illness and the Church, I pray that you help those with mental illness truly understand that they are a part of God’s image. Godspeed and thank you.
11/25/08 10:23 PM | Comment Link
Mark Licitra » Intro to my new blog… » Discussions of Mental … | The Exercise Site said...
6[...] here: Mark Licitra » Intro to my new blog… » Discussions of Mental … Categories : Mental [...]
11/25/08 11:57 PM | Comment Link
Todd said...
7Mark, first, your blog looks awesome! Who designed this amazing piece of work! Second, you make some big promises here and my expectations are high! Looking forward to seeing your thoughts.
11/26/08 8:26 AM | Comment Link
Pat said...
8Mark, I’m looking forward to reading your thoughts. I have several close family members who deal with depression and other illnesses,and this journey has been difficult for them.
11/26/08 10:21 AM | Comment Link
Spencer said...
9Sweet, I’m going to start checking this.
11/30/08 4:26 PM | Comment Link
Jason Clark said...
10Todd Hiestand tweeted about your blog. Glad to find you here, and all the best with your site.
I’m a christian, pastor, and suffered a nervous breakdown 8 years ago, and began a journey into understanding mental health.
Wishing you all the best.
12/9/08 9:27 PM | Comment Link
Deb said...
11Hey Mark. I didn’t know you had started a blog! I’m going to read through what you’ve already written, but wanted to say that I think this is a great idea. I’m convinced that one of the primary reasons the Church falls down in areas like this is due to a lack of education/knowledge about a subject. Ignorance is a mother of fear, and we tend to fear what we don’t understand. Looking forward to learning more!
12/10/08 5:32 AM | Comment Link
shazzy(pseudo name) said...
12hi im a woman with mental health issues and i belong in the church it is an excrutiating experience at times to gain any understanding release or comprehension to my state of mind and connection with god and other christians it is torture and hell and am desperate to find solace
12/17/08 6:10 AM | Comment Link
Brian LePort said...
13Mark,
This is a really great idea for a blog. I am working on my degree in theology while at the same time working at a residential treatment facility for teens where most of the clients are here for mental health reasons. I think this blog will be a great tool in exploring how the church should connect to this field. Thanks for writing it.
12/18/08 4:07 AM | Comment Link
Samuel said...
14Mark. I found your site from a friend’s blog (http://mshedden.wordpress.com). Having recently graduated with a Masters from a Counseling program in Seattle, I’m very very interested in the conversations and topics that you will bring.
I’ve struggled to put counseling into the context of the Church in a way that doesn’t violate ethics and/or prey on the vulnerability of those struggling with mental issues. My thoughts go beyond this brief foray, and look forward to hearing and discussing your views.
12/19/08 1:06 PM | Comment Link
Incabydonnody said...
15Thanks the author!
12/19/08 6:09 PM | Comment Link
Tank said...
16Hey Mark, I just now stumbled upon your blog from your tweet. I will try to catch up and subscribe. I will admit that I do not understand mental illness in the slightest and hope to learn more from your writing and myth-busting.
04/25/09 5:02 PM | Comment Link