013 - When You’re In the Rain and You Don’t Have an Umbrella

If you don’t struggle with mental illness, I’ll bet you know someone who does. Maybe it’s your spouse, a parent, or a best friend. Oftentimes we don’t always know the best thing to do during the hard moments. Whether it’s Anxiety, Depression, or Schizophrenia, the most important thing is to remind your loved ones that you care deeply for them. Sometimes the best thing you can do is to just be there and listen. 

 

This week, I am sharing what it’s like to love someone with a mental illness. It’s a lot like standing in the rain without an umbrella. You never feel fully prepared for life’s challenges. Which is why I want to talk about the two women I loved most in my life, my mother and my grandmother, and what it was like to see them suffer from mental illness at a young age. 

 

As many of you know, my mother struggles with Schizophrenia. But my grandmother who took me in when I was only seven years old also suffered from a mental illness. Although she didn’t suffer from Schizophrenia, she did suffer from Depression. Throughout this episode, I walk you through personal stories of seeing mental illness firsthand, societal stigmas around mental illness, and the importance of being honest with your circumstances. 

 

Although mental illness is a daily battle, it does get better. There may be hard days but know that it’s not your fault. Despite life’s greatest challenges, know that God is bringing you your greatest blessings along the way. 

Topics Discussed:

The biggest stigma around mental illness  Why it’s important to share personal stories Learning that it’s okay if you have a chemical imbalance Why it’s important to take care of yourself and asking for help The history of hiding mental illness in society Why “fake it til’ you make it” doesn’t apply to Mental Health

Connect with Rebecca Stewart:

 

Website: https://cheeringpastchallenges.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cheeringpastchallenges  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cheeringpastchallenges/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/mrsbigsky/featured 

 

 

About Cheering Past Challenges Podcast:

Cheering Past Challenges is a community of individuals seeking to overcome past and current trauma by seeking spiritual solutions.

 

Join Host, Rebecca Stewart, as she shares her journey of taking care of her mother with Schizophrenia. By focusing on Mental Health & Wellness, Rebecca offers insight on how to care for your loved ones during the most difficult moments of their lives. 

 

About Unbinding Love:

“Bring purpose to your life.”

 

Unbinding Love is a Christian Non-Fiction book that aims to provide hope for the caregiver/family member of someone who has Schizophrenia. 

 

It is a heart guide of how to put yourself back on the to-do list, make the right priorities, and find yourself again so that you can thrive in your caregiving and bring purpose to your life.

Visit https://cheeringpastchallenges.com/unbinding-love/ to learn more!