Mental illness snuck up on us and it took years to realize what we were dealing with.

Jenny and I wrote this book because we have a story to tell. It is our sincere desire that our story will help those who are in the same situation as us: confused by mental illness, overwhelmed by its complications and its wide variety of manifestations. Above all, this story was written to encourage and give hope to Christians and non-Christians alike: there are answers, there are solutions, there is healing. Our story describes these.

I am writing because others have written their stories before me and have encouraged me in my darkest moments, at times when I had lost all hope and could not see anything remotely positive in my life and my future.

For at least 25 years, I've been indirectly affected by mental illness. Here's a summary: I've worked for three mentally ill bosses – one alcoholic and two schizophrenics. At the same time, my wife, Jenny, suffered from severe depression and eventually developed schizophrenia.

My wife, Jenny, tells her side of the story (in a different font). If you have to deal with mental illness, her experience will deeply touch you.