Introduction

Hello.  My name is Brian.  I'm an ordained minister through the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).  I am fortunate to serve as a hospital chaplain.  In this capacity I serve a diverse population.  This includes in-patient mental health patients.  This is near and dear to me.  One reason is because people with mental illness are misunderstood and ignored by mainstream society.  Another reason is because it amazes me to think about how difficult life would be with, say paranoid schizophrenia or bi-polar disorder.  The most personal reason is that I too live with mental illness.  I have major depression with a little anxiety thrown in for good measure.  I've never been hospitalized, but I do take medication and visit a counselor once a week.  

The combination of religion/spirituality and mental health is naturally of interest to me.  I have come to believe that Christianity often hinders rather than helps one in living a life of good mental health.  Please note, I did not say that God hinders.  Rather I said that Christianity hinders.  I will explore this further in the days and weeks ahead.  God bless you.

Brian