Hello! I'm Sabrina, and I talk a lot about mental illness.

Personally, I struggle with depression and anxiety. If you know me in real life, you often see me in positions of leadership, in entrepreneurial and creative endeavors, and in lots of rich, meaningful relationships with others. But I am not kidding when I tell you that I regularly battle depression and anxiety. Medication, ongoing talk-therapy, and diligent practices of self-care have made all the difference in my world.

My life, however, is also impacted daily by mental illness in ways that no pill I can swallow will ever ease. Two of my seven adult children have “big” mental illness diagnoses - you know, the scary sounding ones that people don’t like to say out loud. 

People who are dealing with things like mood disorders, psychotic disorders, or personality disorders are reticent to talk about their illnesses because there is so little understanding of these disorders within an average community…and there so much fear and misinformation.

My personal experience, my relationship with Jesus, and my love for people have led me to begin sharing our story, to encourage others with similar struggles and to equip communities with resources that will enable them to more effectively help the estimated 1 in 5 adult Americans who have a diagnosable mental illness (source: National Alliance on Mental Illness).

SabrinaJustison.com is the place where I hope to connect with others who have a heart that breaks for what is sometimes called “the no-casserole illness” among churchgoers. When mom has her appendix out, the meal train sends over casseroles; when mom experiences a psychotic break and has to spend a week in a locked ward while her medication is adjusted, no one sends a casserole because the family is too ashamed to let their church know there is a crisis at home.

I want us to share resources we have found that will help copers (those with diagnosable mental illnesses), helpers (who love them), and learners (who want to know how to help). I want us to break the silence among followers of Jesus, removing the stigma that labels mental illness “sin” and fails to recognize the physical and emotional components of illness that accompany the spiritual in all of us who struggle. If you’d like to keep in touch, you can share your email address with me here.

My writing and speaking grows out of living, loving, and listening. I’d love to hear your story (and it will stay between us). I’d love to share my story with your church or community group. And I’d love to pass along any helpful resources I find that  might make us all more effective ministers of the gospel of Jesus - the good news that brings redemption and life. 

He's God, He's good, and He loves us. What a great place to plant our feet firmly! Even in the face of our feelings of instability, He is solid and His love is unfaltering. Let's keep sharing our stories with one another - there's power in our stories! Please stay in touch with me. I'd love to journey with you!