Hope for Troubled Minds

Hope Remains for Katie Dale: From the Psych Ward to Serving in Europe

Dear Mom and Dad, Do you recall how depressed I was in 2003? It seemed like I was on the brink of the blackest bottoming out. Then, without notice, my mind was a buoy, bobbing on cresting waves of euphoria. Evidently, the changes I went through my junior year of high school lent themselves to my breakdown. I guess the switch to private school wasn’t all I expected it to be. I wanted a Christian education with a Biblical worldview, but it wasn’t black and white that way. I was ignored by my classmates, sidelined for my poor soccer performance, shamed for being late or showing any opposition to the rules, and undermined when I began to have a voice. My actions and behaviors may have been a bit strange, especially when I stalked my class crush, but I don’t think I meant to embarrass him or you. I [...]

Hope Remains for Katie Dale: From the Psych Ward to Serving in Europetonyroberts2025-09-15T08:19:14-04:00

A Father’s Legacy: Hope Remains for Kevin “Earleybird” Earley

Kevin "Earleybird" Earley writes: My father has been a major force in my life. A mentor, a friend, sometimes a fierce combatant, a towering figure of authority, and a lighthouse-like guiding light in the world that has instilled his values, ideas, morals, and flaws for me to wrestle with as I define and continue to redefine myself throughout my journey. I am fortunate to have a present and involved father-figure, when I have friends who had fathers who were never around, and siblings who lost their biological father at a young age. My father stood up and faced the pressures of fatherhood head-on. He's been with me through my heartbreaking struggles and statistic-defying triumphs. He is still here, still alive, and still among his family, while many of my peers have lost one or both of their parents. I cherish and value his friendship, mentorship, and vitality. As long [...]

A Father’s Legacy: Hope Remains for Kevin “Earleybird” Earleytonyroberts2025-09-06T10:39:39-04:00

Hope Remains: My Sister April, A Psych Nurse Who Follows Her Heart

From: "Dear April" in Hope for Troubled Minds I want to tell a story I’ve told many times before. But I can’t tell it enough. It’s the story of what happens when someone with a mental illness falls into the pit of despair and is lifted up by the loving faithfulness of one who cares. December 1, 2016. I am in the Goodman exit lane off I-490 in Rochester, New York. An unusual light shines in my rearview. In seconds, I hear a loud crack and feel a tremendous lurch. Someone traveling too close, going too fast, hit me. Hard. I called 911 and a policeman showed up, followed by an ambulance. I was taken to Strong Memorial Hospital where they ran tests and found nothing conclusive. But I became increasingly agitated. I became convinced that I was paralyzed. Three doctors ran tests on me at separate [...]

Hope Remains: My Sister April, A Psych Nurse Who Follows Her Hearttonyroberts2025-08-14T16:02:14-04:00

Holding Onto Hope: The Legacy of James Mark Rippee

Until We Are Reunited by Catherine Rippee Hanson My sister and I thought we were strong. Though burdened with a heavy wrong. We lost our brother to injury and disease, Leaving us with bittersweet memories. We tried to fix it, to make it right. So much love and hope in sight; But darkness would not be denied. And his life...the world would not abide. Schizophrenia...was his last undoing. Making his world wild and confusing; And though we tried to keep him safe, He turned away, lost in life’s dark maze. Homelessness was his final fate. The streets...his home; there’s no debate. Our hearts were broken, tears were shed. Before the end when he was dead. Our brother’s death is sad and tragic. A simple illness, but too late for magic. His soul departed from this world. Leaving us unraveled, thoughts unfurled. We grieved in sadness; we kept some hope. Remembering [...]

Holding Onto Hope: The Legacy of James Mark Rippeetonyroberts2025-08-06T17:22:49-04:00

A Check Up From the Neck Up

It's 3 o'clock in the morning. I am listening to the Beatles while eating baked oatmeal and drinking raw milk. I am wide awake as the world sleeps. What better time than now to do an assessment of my mental health and update on Delight in Disorder Ministries? After our successful Spring/Summer Hope for Troubled Minds book tours, I returned to my Tiny House on the family farm in Upstate New York rather depleted of psychological and physical energy. I had scheduled a Sabbath rest from public speaking for the month of July. A good friend encouraged me to consider applying to present at the NAMI NY state convention in November. The application deadline was August 1. As the deadline approached, I found myself stymied by the application, almost emotionally paralyzed. I received much encouragement from friends and family. In the end, I decided to take a hiatus from [...]

A Check Up From the Neck Uptonyroberts2024-09-12T11:13:35-04:00

Pick up Your Pen and Write ✍️

“If you want to change the world, pick up your pen and write.” — Martin Luther. “There is nothing so tragic as the untold story inside you.” — Maya Angelou. Writing has been part of my vocation for half a century. My writing has dropped off a good bit of late — both in terms of frequency and effectiveness. Recently I’ve been giving some thought to stepping away from my chosen/appointed vocation and finding something else to do with my time. After all, I am on disability and writing does not exactly provide me a stream of income. What difference would it make if I stopped? Couldn’t I be of better use doing something else? In lieu of just quitting, I have wandered the wilderness wasteland of Facebook. I have met many friends who have given me great support. But I have also concluded, at least for me, at least [...]

Pick up Your Pen and Write ✍️tonyroberts2024-08-26T13:03:19-04:00

Hope for Troubled Minds Homecoming

The initial book tour of Hope for Troubled Minds came to a rousing close with a talk/dialogue at Louisville Seminary for their Alumni Day of Giving. Going back to my alma mater ‘90 after three decades was an adjustment but it was great to meet students, staff, trustees, and fellow alumni like Ginny Brown and David Wallace. It was a blessing to be so warmly received and I want to particularly thank Laura Kelley and all who facilitated the visit.All told, I spoke at 9 engagements at 7 venues in my former Kentuckiana homeland. It was a delight to join Pastor George Love, Helen Sarver, and the saints at Hebron Presbyterian; share my story with faithful friends Eric and Jen Riddle at First Presbyterian (Columbus, IN) and greet my fellow seniors with Linda Clark at Mill Race Center. Thanks to the Bartholomew County Public library for hosting an event where [...]

Hope for Troubled Minds Homecomingtonyroberts2024-08-26T13:03:19-04:00

Hope for Troubled Minds Paperback and Tour Launch

"It is impossible to read this collection without a moist eye, an overwhelming anger at the cruelty of brain diseases, exasperation at society's failure to help, and a deep admiration for the undaunted spirit of those who speak out and advocate for their fellow travelers on such a difficult path."- Pete Earley, author of CRAZY: A Father's Search Through America's Mental Health Madness, finalist for the 2007 Pulitzer PrizeHope for Troubled Minds is now available in paperback and can be ordered through Ingram Sparks from any bookstore. It is also available at Amazon. The list price is $19.99. Net proceeds support National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), Treatment Advocacy Center (TAC), and Delight in Disorder Ministries (DiDMin). Hope for Troubled Minds is a trove of tributes, collected to celebrate the lives, legacy, and strength of those who lead brave lives in the face of brain disorders and mental illness. These [...]

Hope for Troubled Minds Paperback and Tour Launchtonyroberts2024-08-26T13:03:19-04:00

The Thanksgiving Project: Family by Moriah Couch

Many moons ago, I (Tony) asked readers to submit brief devotions of what they were most thankful for. Life sent me many distractions that turned out to be blessings. One thing I am grateful for is I saved submissions and can publish them now. Like this one from Moriah Couch — There are many things in this life that I am grateful for, but the thing I am most grateful for is my family. My husband and my children. Growing up all I ever wanted was a family of my own someday. A caring spouse, beautiful children, and a home that overflows with love. Both my husband and myself come from broken homes and we vowed to never put our own children through that pain. I'm thankful God gave me a husband who felt the same way I did in that regard. I'm thankful for our relationship. For his love [...]

The Thanksgiving Project: Family by Moriah Couchtonyroberts2024-08-26T13:03:20-04:00

The Time is Now: Hope for Troubled Minds has Arrived

The time has come. The wait is over (or at least soon coming to an end). A project five years in the making that cultivated the gifts of so many beautiful blessings is now in print, and on Kindle/ebook. We made a commitment to give complimentary copies to contributors and make pre-ordered books available at a discount. It was only through the generous gifts of passionate advocate donors that we could pull this off. And with them, we did. Now, Amazon will take over selling and shipping. We are grateful that through them we can reach a broader community (though at a slightly higher price). So what happens now? I'll tell you. If you want to know more about the book and purchase a copy, go to our website link: https://delightindisorder.org/hftm-order/ Spread the news of Hope for Troubled Minds on your social media and in person. When you've read a [...]

The Time is Now: Hope for Troubled Minds has Arrivedtonyroberts2024-08-26T13:03:20-04:00