Call for Submissions: Hope for Troubled Minds: Letters Between Those With Brain Illnesses and Our Loved Ones

I had the pleasure to be contacted recently by Tony Roberts, Chief Shepherd of Delight in Disorder Ministries and author of When Despair Meets Delight. He invited me to contribute to an upcoming book, Hope for Troubled Minds: Letters Between Those With Brain Illnesses and Our Loved Ones. This interested me because the topic and message fit so well with what Fran and I share in our books and here on our blog. I also love the open letter format, and posted a selection of open letters here last year.

At Tony’s request, I’m delighted to share the details of the book and extend the invitation to contribute. If you’re interested or would like to know more about the project, get in touch with Tony at the details shown below. Closing date for submissions is June 1, 2023.

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Hope for Troubled Minds: Letters Between Those With Brain Illnesses and Our Loved Ones

At 8 you started hearing voices. We took you to a doctor who put you on medicine, but your depression plunged. In Middle School, you started drugs to self-medicate and later alcohol. At 15 you were diagnosed with Schizoaffective Disorder. The voices, paranoia, seeing things and violence has been too much to endure, but my love for you has not stopped. You hit the walls causing holes and break my dishes, but then you apologize and my heart melts. You can dance and tell jokes that draw me in. I love to hear you tell me the latest thing you heard in a movie or documentary. I love you more than you will ever know.

— Angie C.

Dear Fellow Advocate,

You are invited to submit a letter for inclusion in Hope for Troubled Minds: Letters Between Those With Brain Illnesses and Our Loved Ones. This anthology of letters and photos will serve to celebrate our humanity and contribute to advocating for those often counted as “the least of the least,” those with brain illnesses such as schizophrenia, bipolar, schizoaffective disorder, and major depression.

Your letter expressing love for care and gratitude for life in spite of what can be debilitating brain illnesses should be directly addressed to your loved one. Speak from the heart. The letter can be up to 1,000 words in length, and names may be kept anonymous or under a pen name if you prefer.

Some example letters can be found here and here.

The book will be published by Delight in Disorder Ministries, with all proceeds above cost being equally distributed to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), the Treatment Advocacy Center (TAC), and Delight in Disorder Ministries.

Letters will be accepted until June 1, 2023.

Use this Letter Submission Form, or e-mail Tony Roberts directly at tony[at]delightindisorder.org with your contact information and letter.