Lynne Bonner “Loving someone with mental illness”
“From depression to borderline personality disorder, mental illness is often stigmatized in our culture. The suffering, exacerbated by the stigma, impacts those who love the one who suffers, as well as the one who struggles with mental illness. Struggles with mental illness range from mild to fatal, and are sometimes intertwined with addiction, which further intensifies the suffering for all involved. In this service, we lift a personal story to shed light on the experience of loving someone who struggles with mental illness, and lift up some lessons learned as well – insights that apply to human relationships in general, as well as relationships affected by mental illness.
The service includes an simple ritual that gives all present the option to honour ourselves and our loved ones affected. A skilled listening ear will be available throughout and after the service if difficult feelings come up for any of us, or you wish to find community resources for further support.”
Lynne Bonner is a worship associate at the First Unitarian Church of Victoria, a mother and retired biologist.
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