Mental Illness

A Patron Saint for those with Unquiet Minds

Saint Dymphna is well known as a patron of people living with mental illness. She was a 7th-century Irish princess who fled from her father, who seems to have had a mental illness, and she settled in Geel, Belgium, where she cared for people with mental illnesses. Because she lived so long ago, much of her story is shrouded in the mist of legend, so it is difficult to know with certainty much about Dymphna herself. However, what is certain is that Saint Dymphna’s legacy inspired the people of Geel to show compassion for people who live with mental illness. Over the centuries, the people of Geel invited people with a mental illness to live and work in their community without any stigma or discrimination. Throughout the Middle Ages and even today, the town of Geel is known as a model for community acceptance of people who live with a [...]

A Patron Saint for those with Unquiet Mindstonyroberts2026-05-15T00:58:39-04:00

Delight in Disorder Dissolves, Spreads Hope to Troubled Minds

Sent to Treatment Advocacy Center (TAC), National Alliance on Mental Ilnness - NAMI Indiana, and National Shattering Silence Coalition, along with a financial donation of $1,239.84 (each) — On behalf of Delight in Disorder Ministries, we would like to make this donation in appreciation for all you do for people often treated as "the least of these." These funds have been generated largely through sales of and donations towards our book Hope for Troubled Minds, edited by Tony Roberts. Katie R. Dale served as Associate Editor. Over 100 collaborators, many of whom support your organization, poured out their hearts sharing how Serious Mental Illness impacts their lives and the lives of their loved ones. The book is still in print but sales have stagnated and we no longer have the bandwidth to manage it. The legacy lives on and we are delighted to contribute to your mission. — Tony Roberts [...]

Delight in Disorder Dissolves, Spreads Hope to Troubled Mindstonyroberts2026-05-12T13:33:14-04:00

A New Creation: Delighting in Recovery

So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! - 2 Corinthians 5:17, NRSVCE To live is to change, and to be perfect is to have changed often. ― John Henry Newman 'Tis the gift to be simple, 'tis the gift to be free, 'Tis the gift to come down where I ought to be; And when we find ourselves in the place just right, 'Twill be in the valley of love and delight. When true simplicity is gained, To bow and to bend we shan't be ashamed; to turn, turn, will be my delight. Till by turning, turning we come round right. - Joseph Brackett Many changes have taken place in my life and in our ministry here at Delight in Disorder. At the same time, one essential thing stayed the same. In the midst of [...]

A New Creation: Delighting in Recoverytonyroberts2026-04-30T12:56:36-04:00

Hope Remains: The Fish Catcher by Sherry Lanning

The Fish Catcher Sherry Lanning Arriving at the fish pond, we saw a duck family. “Those are my brother’s kids!” you said assuredly. “Really,” I smirked. “You’re smiling at me mom! I love it when you smile at me!” My 50-year-old, fish-catching son, off to drown some worms. We named you Robin, meaning “bright and shining fame.” The perfect name for our 7 ½ lbs of potential. Within the next 12 years, you would be joined by three sisters and three brothers. Our family of nine was musical, performing annually at local fairs. Your spontaneous energy enhanced our group. March 21, 1986 At 13 Robin is filled with life! His heart is as big as the sea. He loves pizza, basketball, and fishing. He sings like an angel. While competing at your school’s State Convention, you placed first in vocal solo. Your dynamic performance received a standing ovation. Your [...]

Hope Remains: The Fish Catcher by Sherry Lanningtonyroberts2025-07-31T10:36:56-04:00

The Heart of Hope: Stories by and for Those with Troubled Minds

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 Prize It has now been almost two years since the publication of our collaboration Hope for Troubled Minds. Over 100 collaborators contributor their hearts and minds to the effort. A team of editors including Katie Dale, Adela Dickey, Leanne Sype, and Janet Coburn worked countless hours to bring it all together. Shepherding the project was a labor of love that marked a pivotal point in my journey. More a crossroads than a pinnacle. Maybe a plateau. I required rest and recovery. The [...]

The Heart of Hope: Stories by and for Those with Troubled Mindstonyroberts2025-07-28T11:47:11-04:00

How to Handle the Holidays with God’s Love

Welcome to the Holidays! The stress of the holidays. We’re still pressured to spend money on gifts, or gather with family we may or may not get along with. Just the idea of the holidays, with the loss of loved ones over the past years from sickness, tragedies, or simply the circle of life, is tough. We may not feel like it’s anything close to the norm we’ve known in years past. However, as Christians, we are called and set apart and distinctly expected to “live worthy of the calling” (Ephesians 4:1) we have in God, with or without mental illness. On top of the worldly stressors, our personal lives have the constant wearing of symptoms, perhaps. Is it still possible to live as a Christian with a mental illness and expect to “live worthy” of such a calling? God commands it, therefore He’s going to make it possible. [...]

How to Handle the Holidays with God’s LoveKatie R. Dale2024-10-30T06:28:55-04:00

What Every Pastor Ought to Know About Serious Mental Illness

Pastors and church leadership are number one on the frontlines to those who seek help for these kinds of issues with these kinds of diagnoses. It is crucial to educate the ranks of church leadership so that we can catch the “least of these” in the crises they may present and refer them to the right solutions. There is evidence that pastors don’t feel very well equipped to handle mental illness and therefore need discernment to appropriately address these situations. I want every pastor to know what to expect, how to communicate, and what to do when they arise. Within the wake of Covid’s circumstances, the matters of the mind have risen to a more visible level. This is good for generating awareness of general disorders and the stressors concerning situational depression and psychological or even spiritual oppression. However, it has not changed the significance nor moved the needle of [...]

What Every Pastor Ought to Know About Serious Mental IllnessKatie R. Dale2024-10-25T01:56:36-04:00

Is My Mental Illness to Blame?

Line in the Sand Where does mental end and spiritual begin? There is no definitive line. You’re going to sin in sickness and be soul-sick in sin. The two (the heart and mind) operate in tandem. As a caseworker, I had a client at one time who was being seen at my clinic for mental health issues she had. Let’s call her Mary. Mary was also diabetic. On her way to town one day, while her husband drove her to an appointment, Mary started to frantically undo her seatbelt, screaming threats at her husband, and opened the door of the truck to fall out. She just about accomplished this act of defiance, but her husband’s quick response and grasp saved her life. At that time, Mary appeared suicidal. Mary appeared out of her mind. Arguably, Mary was in a state of rebellion. Mary appeared to be in a mental [...]

Is My Mental Illness to Blame?Katie R. Dale2024-10-17T05:34:33-04:00

7 Biblical Principles for Taking Care of Your Mind

This post is derived from two blog posts I wrote over on PastorBrad.blog and KatieRDale.com. The Bible is full of wisdom for living a successful, God-honoring life. We are to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. If we want to address our personhood in full, we can’t overlook our mind and how we handle its health. The following principles are derived from passages in Scripture that can help us understand how God values our mental well-being and the spirit seated within. Principle #1: Express your hurts and frustrations In numerous passages in the Psalms, we see David cry out to the Lord in his pain and troubles. Examples of his fears, doubts, hurts, and sorrow can be found throughout the book of Psalms. As a general interpretation, David’s example sometimes echoes and foreshadows the pain and trials Christ ends up enduring hundreds [...]

7 Biblical Principles for Taking Care of Your MindKatie R. Dale2024-10-12T09:52:55-04:00

Dear Pastor: What the Church Needs to Know About Mental Illness

Today I'm making a derivative out of an old blog post (Misconceptions Your Church May Have About Depression) and reworking it to address our pastors this month - it's Pastor Appreciation Month. Dear Pastor, First and foremost, you are brave. Your calling is not easy or light. Drawing grit from your faith and convictions is a grit akin to what military forces draw upon. The required resilience that comes from committing to this calling is not glamorous or fiscally promising. The taxation on your spirit and soul your job exacts can be stretched thinner than your leather-worn Bible. To put your job into words is a tall task. So many souls depend on your leadership and rely on your words as support. In hopes of making your job more manageable in the realm of the mental health of your congregation, here is an open letter I share with you. [...]

Dear Pastor: What the Church Needs to Know About Mental IllnessKatie R. Dale2024-10-04T01:28:44-04:00