The first time I was in an in-patient locked psychiatric unit, I was overwhelmed by the amount of suffering I saw in the people there.
While conversations about mental health are fairly common, the experience and suffering of serious mental illness – of psychosis, detachment from reality and life-threatening impulsivity – were completely new for me. My heart was filled with compassion and pity for the men and women on the unit for whom every single day was a fight to stay alive.
“Preach the Gospel at all times, and if necessary, use words.” Most Christians are familiar with this quote. Some of us have used this quote. Sadly, too many of us are confused by the quote. The quote is widely attributed to St. Francis of Assisi, but did he say it? Did he live by it? Should we?