Month: April 2018

Episode 5 – Marie Henning, Super Human Resource

Marie Henning has spent her career as a Human Resources professional. In this episode, Marie takes us behind the doors of the office where crucial conversations occur, prayers are offered, and people in distress are uncommonly cared for.

Marie offers encouragement to those who face job stress and educates on the benefits offered by employers to support mental health.

Some of the questions include:

How do you support employees who are experiencing symptoms of mental illness?

Has disclosure of mental health diagnoses increased since the beginning of your career?

How have you seen stigma impact an employee’s career?

What opportunities have you had to share faith and prayer?

What does healing mean to you?

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) info: https://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/whdfs28.htm

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) info:

https://adata.org/learn-about-ada

The Plight of Lady Manic (a poem by Katie Dale)

“Listen,” she said. “Hear me,” she whispered.

Voices in her head validated what she heard.

Even with proven logic she was stirred,

The possibilities were too great to have deferred.

 

Tangible in spirit, angels gathered near,

And the devils followed them there, itching to hear.

The reality of the unseen wasn’t something to fear,

It was the lust for the untouchable hurdles she wanted to clear.

 

Lady Manic, she was known, to the shrewd and cunning Mister.

Sir Madness, her unmatched suitor, he wouldn’t resist her.

She played to his schemes, his subtle plans enthralled her.

Soon, according to Sir Madness, only he could call her.

 

Flirting with the master of irresistible temptations,

She laid open to twirling thoughts and tantalizing elations.

Like a phantom of her mind’s secret infatuations,

She succumbed to be found in questionable situations.

 

Once he lifted her too high, she panicked at the height,

She braved the quickening sensations amidst the fright.

At first glance it was glee in anyone’s unwitting sight,

Until it was too late to do anything but fall from the flight.

 

Perhaps she was naive, overzealous and of youth,

Perhaps he was too masterful for her mind to tell the truth.

 

Whichever way it was, it was now in hindsight error,

The affection they once shared was now a twisted terror.

 

Should she be prey to his next violent plan,

She couldn’t save herself, no one could, not any man.

 

The step after delight could be more than insanity,

The logical plan to follow was the bane of humanity:

 

Depths of loathing and sorrow crawled out from the pit of Hell,

In shrouds of darkness they came moaning, cleverly casted like a spell.

 

This misery appeared inevitable to keep her from her Lord’s Heaven,

It seemed the day turned into night without her knowing when.

For nights came for days and try as she might will then,

No amount of pulling by her bootstraps would let her go again.

 

Now the words fled her mind and mouth where joy once filled,

Meaning evaded her spirit, whose strength none could rebuild.

Confusion mounted its cavalry and crafted artillery from its guild,

Here the war on her psyche ambushed, her sanity, all but killed.

 

Abandoned by her guide to the skies and traitor to the pit,

She remembered her chance given before so again she sought it.

 

In the lion’s lair she knew who else had gone ahead,

The sacrifice that died to pay the ransom on her head.

She surged her strength to call upon the name of Him once dead,

“Give me my life, You paid my price, redeem my life instead!”

 

The only One who was there for her from birth swiftly came,

The test was passed and she could leave the dungeon of her shame.

Alas Sir Madness could not call on her, he had no viable claim,

Since all along she was betrothed to the Lord of Lords: Jesus, was His name.

 

Victory crowned Him, from overcoming Sir Madness and his lies,

Lady Manic was no longer known as Manic but as Wise.

The deception that once bewitched her could no longer rise,

Since she set her sights on nothing but her truthful Savior’s eyes.

 

“Listen,” she said. “Hear Him,” she whispered.

Voices left her head and love was all she heard.

The sound of her heart was true of the passion that was stirred,

Each beat was hope fulfilled and was no longer deferred.

Katie Dale — What Healing Means

Healing is definitely the hand of God on my mind – I consider that I’m healed as it pertains to the elimination of symptoms and side effects. I take medication daily and believe that’s the course God has set me on for a personal healing of bipolar disorder. I don’t have the symptoms – praise God. However, I want to be clear that I recognize I’ll always have bipolar disorder this side of heaven, tempered and treated by medication. I don’t think I’m healed, as in, cured. That is a different thing altogether. To be cured would be like a deliverance of it, but that’s not possible. People aren’t usually cured miraculously of most disorders or illnesses. That’s just not a typical healing. But God has graciously given me the exact dosage of medication I need to function and thrive in life, and for that I know He sustains me, upholds me, and maintains my sound mind. To me, that is healing.

~ Katie R. Dale

Bipolar Brave

Tony Roberts – What Healing Means

What does healing mean to me?
Before we can be healed we first have to recognize we are ill. I have a deathly sin-sick condition; I desperately need Christ’s healing touch. This condition affects my whole life: spiritual, physical, emotional, relational. God heals me in His own good time, and only fully heals me in the life to come. My job is to participate in healing through vigilant prayer and faithful care.
As one with a mental health diagnosis, I have often faced the stigma of professing believers who think my condition would magically disappear if I had sincere faith. That I can pray it away. My response? I have tried. Many times. And I have come to discover purpose in having a mental illness — to rely on the all-sufficient grace of God and to share this amazing grace with others.
~ Tony Roberts

Episode 4 – Katie Dale is Bipolar Brave

Here on episode 4, we welcome Katie R. Dale. Katie shares her unique blend of passion for recovery and humor over episodes in her past. She reveals joys and frustrations, and still comes to affirm the value of both faith and mental healthcare.
Katie addresses such questions as:
Who were your early faith inspirations?
What experiences do you have in psychiatric hospitals?
What is your view of pregnancy and mental health?
Why did you entitle your blog Bipolar Brave?
Katie currently serves as a caseworker at a behavioral non-profit to assist and facilitate change and growth in those with mental illness. As a former behavioral inpatient and proud bipolar, she has a unique first-hand perspective on the mental healthcare system and the symptoms of mental illness.

Katie has written a memoir and maintains a website on her disorder and faith at Bipolar Brave . Her speaking engagements include guest appearances on: Psych CentralFresh Hope For Mental Health; and, Counterpoint! With Gary Jenkins.

Katie’s writing and story has been featured in such places as: BP MagazineThe Mighty; and, Delight in Disorder.

You can also read Katie’s Allegorical poem, “The Plight of Lady Manic” in our blog.

 

 

#The100DayProject

On the Creative Pep Talk podcast, I was introduced to The 100 Day Project.  The founders, Elle Luna and Lindsay Jean Thomson, shared inspiring stories from people who participated in the past. I have decided to join in this 5th annual event.

All are welcome to join. From what I have seen on the website, your daily creation is posted through Instagram.  All posts include #the100dayproject and a second hashtag that is unique to your project.  Mine is going to be #hundredhaiku!

How does this relate to mental health and faith?

I believe that God has given humankind a unique capacity to create.  We are all producers. Unfortunately, many people label people with mental illness as “consumers”.

During my darkest depressions, I reminded myself that even my worst experiences may be opportunities for me to “produce”. It may not happen in the midst of my worst symptoms, but I maintain my faith in being part of God’s creation and in my capacity to create.

Please consider joining me on Tuesday, April 3.  Spring has arrived. Easter is a reminder of resurrection and the triumph of eternal life over death.

You are a creator.