Mental illness is not something most of us think about—until someone close to us is affected, or we ourselves suffer from it. This month’s MAGNET has a direct look at it: the numbers, types, and causes, and a more detailed look at the commonest villain—depression.
Next month, we plan to look at another serious mental illness—schizophrenia, as experienced, for instance, by the brilliant scientist John Nash, who had frightening hallucinations. See more under Movie Reviews.
A tough task—to present the essential aspects of mental illness in a few pages, with practical tips on what to do. We allot four cover stories to the theme:
One: A clinical psychologist tells us the basics, and then explains depression in more detail.
Two: A family psychologist looks at how dysfunctional families impact the present and future of their children—and what all of us can do to help.
Three: Three cases of what today’s youngers face, and how to help them.
Four: True stories of healing, offering us hope from a wide range of helps.
Other articles offer competent practical info, as always.
Two new books whose authorship and topics will make them widely read.
Four movies on mental illness—two of them true stories, the other two based on facts. Good to realize that any of us could have been in the same terrifying boat, and feel grateful for the gift of mental health.
As always, we write, check, re-write, re-check, correct again—to make sure that what we put in your hands is possibly the best we can offer—and as good as the best available anywhere. This is what we are trying to do. Tell us how you find it.
Gone are the days when the local parish priest or mother superior were automatic experts and authorities! Today, so much useful info and wisdom are found free, in gripping videos, on the Net. Here are four such talks. See the huge number of people who have watched them! Want to watch them quietly, alone? Or with your family or religious community, and then discuss it? Apart from the helpful contents, we will also learn how to present serious information in a clear, concise and attractive way. In the media world, we, who belong to religious circles, are way behind the secular world and the familiar playground of the young.
Fr Joe Mannath SDB
Editor
VIDEOS ON HANDLING DEPRESSION
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chE00kGtg48
Six ways to cure depression
2,351,893 views * 10 Jun 2017 * 11 minutes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAdp3nT4BFA
What to do if you’re diagnosed with Depression
80,862 views * 30 Jan 2020 * 9.12 minutes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHYo8YvhgkM#depression
7 Things to Avoid When Depressed
512,710 views * 23 Jun 2020 * 5.07 minutes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bb9g9mtDHZo&t=137s
How to Beat Fear and Anxiety | Jordan Peterson
769,743 views * 26 Jun 2019 * 5.52 minutes
COLUMNISTS TO MEET THIS MONTH
Crystal and Kevin Sullivan
Kevin’s experience includes: successful General Counsel working in insurance; multiple ministries to help couples preparing for marriage or already married; RCIA sponsor; religious education catechist, a bible study leader; writer of weekly Gospel reflections for his parish; active member of the Knights of Columbus and of the Pastoral Council. He graduated from the Called and Gifted Chicago Archdiocese Lay Ministry Formation Program. He is also a Field Delegate for the Archdiocesan Tribunal for those seeking annulments. He considers his active participation in the care of his four grandchildren one of his most rewarding and important vocations.
Crystal: After experiencing a life-changing conversion in 1982 (before which she had no interest in religion), Crystal became involved in the pre-marriage and marriage ministries, RCIA, Religious Education and Bible study leader. She has a Master’s degree in Pastoral Studies from Catholic Theological Union, Chicago. She helped develop an ecumenical Prison Ministry program which gives retreats to women prisoners; is an active member of the Discipleship Group, which presents retreats and evangelizing programs. She too sees the help she provides in caring for their grandchildren one of her most rewarding accomplishments.
