From the late 1700s—when Dr. Benjamin Rush first explained that mental illness and addiction were medical conditions, and not failures of religious belief or will—until today, faith communities have struggled to know how best to address brain diseases among their congregants. Bestselling author Stephen Fried, a longtime member of BZBI, will discuss these issues based on his recent book on mental health politics, A Common Struggle, which he wrote with Congressman Patrick Kennedy, and his new biography of the founding father of American mental health care, Dr. Benjamin Rush. Besides exploring history and challenges, he will offer ideas which out congregation can immediately consider to improve the way it supports members with mental illness and addiction.
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