In this episode of Writing at the Red House, Kathi sits down with her dear friend Chris Morris to discuss his upcoming book, Resilient and Redeemed: Lessons about Suicidality and Depression from the Psych Ward. Chris shares his personal journey with mental health struggles and how he found the courage to write about his experiences. 

Throughout the conversation, Kathi and Chris delve into the challenges of discussing mental health within Christian circles, emphasizing the importance of transparency and authenticity in relationships. Chris introduces the concept of “giving someone the gift of going second,” which involves setting the stage for transparency by choosing to be transparent first. 

As an advocate for mental health in the church, Chris has noticed a shift in the nature of conversations he has with people, with some seeking guidance for their own struggles and others attempting to relate through the experiences of others. This creates the potential for pushback and negative feedback that may arise from sharing such a personal story, with Chris expressing his confidence in the God-directed words he has written. 

Chris offers advice to aspiring writers who wish to share their own stories, stressing the importance of considering what readers can learn from their experiences that extend beyond the personal narrative.  

For those going through this, or who have loved ones going through this, we encourage our listeners to support Chris by purchasing his book and joining his newsletter list for further discussions on mental health and hard topics. 

Kathi’s Favorite Things:

The Accidental Homesteader

The Collective

Links and Resources:

Resilient and Redeemed: Lessons about Suicidality and Depression from the Psych Ward

Mental Health Resources:  

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988 (or 1-800-273-8255) 

Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741