Stranger in our Midst: The Church and People with Mental Illness

Stewart and Alice Govig were long bewildered by the bizarre behavior of their son, who was eventually diagnosed with schizophrenia. A religion professor at Pacific Lutheran University, Stewart realized that many Christians and their congregations do not know how to deal with mental illnesses, still among the most stigmatized afflictions. The story of their growing understanding of mental illness as a brain disease and learning to accept their son and his condition is the centerpiece of this video.
 
The Govigs realized that schizophrenia made their son a stranger to them. They have since become acquainted with and learned understand the person their son has become. The video also features Dr. Jarrett Richardson, a Mayo Clinic psychiatrist, who points out that one in five families experience mental illness. Dr. Richardson suggests that congregations can learn to understand and support families who experience mental illness, and offers suggestions for action.
 
This video, along with a study guide, is designed to awaken Christians to the silent suffering in their midst, and to equip them with understanding about how they can support all those who are affected by these very common but deeply misunderstood diseases.
 
18 minutes, study guide included. DVD.