Christ on the Psych Ward

by David Finnegan-Hosey

In June 2011, shortly after finishing his first year of seminary, David admitted himself into a psychiatric unit in Washington, DC. Christ on the Psych Ward is a book that emerges from this experience. The book weaves together three threads: personal narrative about David's time in and out of psychiatric hospitalization in 2011, theological reflections from the standpoint of mental illness, and practical guidance for communities of faith discerning how to be in faithful ministry alongside people with mental health struggles.

Genres: Mental Health, Religion, Christian, Nonfiction, Memoir, Christianity, Spirituality

152 pages, Paperback

Published March 1, 2018

About the author

David Finnegan-Hosey currently serves as College Chaplain and Director of Campus Ministry at Barton College, having previously worked in campus ministry at Georgetown University, American University, and the University of Hawaii. He holds an M.Div. from Wesley Theological Seminary and received training in Clinical Pastoral Education from the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center. He is certified by Mental Health First Aid USA to provide initial help to people experiencing depression, anxiety, psychosis, and substance use disorders.

In 2011, David was diagnosed with bipolar disorder after a series of psychiatric hospitalizations. He now speaks and writes about the intersections among mental illness, mental health, and faith. You can read more of his writing on his website, davidfinneganhosey.com. David lives in Wilson, NC with his wife Leigh and their dog Penny Lane.

Reviews

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

An author with brave honesty, intense clarity, and a deep well of resources to bring to bear on his work. I'd be really interested to study this book with a church group-- especially if the publisher/author produced a companion journal or leader guide (cough cough!)

Edit to Add: Found out that there is a companion discussion guide on the website! Sweet! https://www.christonthepsychward.com/...

[Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deeply and authentically personal account at the intersection of seminary and the psych ward. Interviewing Finnegan-Hosey was profound to hear about his takeaways, continued struggles, and committed mission after his experiences as a patient, particularly for the body of Christ.

Mental health is perhaps doubly confounded for the church given the seemingly archaic attributions of Biblical accounts to the spiritual realm as well as the challenges it brings in understanding to what extent our lived experiences are met by God. While the former was not investigated/reconciled in-depth, this book is a valuable resource in the most practical sense nonetheless.

[Jericho Eames · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a raw account of a man's journey with Bipolar type 2. He speaks with honesty and no filters. I find comfort in learning how to help those around me who have been afflicted with a mental illness. Somehow my biggest take away from this book is that sometimes being right next to them, my presence is enough. I've always thought that I have to do something for them and I never saw that my being there, was already doing something. He talks about his pains and struggles and his journey of recovery, so earnestly that at points in the book I was on the verge of tears. He weaves his words around your mind such that it becomes poetry. Somehow, he has this ability to show you how it feels like the have a mental illness.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finnegan-Hosey offers readers much to think about as he shares his personal journey with mental illness and offers a broader look at how the faith community can support those who are on this journey.

[Bianca Borzatti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christ on the Psych Ward is both a gentle retelling and robust piece of research - a vulnerable account of finding Jesus on the ward backed up (and footnoted) with plenty of reference to theologians and the Bible itself. A super commendable piece of work. I feel like I've been looking for a book like this for years !!

[Laura Kisthardt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so glad to have read this book. All seminary students should read to gain an understanding of mental illness. David does a terrific job blending his personal story with theological reflection. Highly recommend!

[Logan Alley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely a biased review, because I count the author as a colleague in ministry. I appreciated the thoughtful analysis and honest, conversational tone of this book. Grateful for the opportunity to read this work.

[Anne Hosey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for mental health professionals interested in spirituality or church community members wishing to increase their knowledge of mental health issues. I fall into the former category and found COTPW to be an inspiring read.

[Carol Hassell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Highly Recommend

I was immersed in story, reality, theology, spirituality, and learning about David's experiences and reflections. Excellent and has made me hungry to know more and to get in or bring the conversation to the church.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Church was desperately waiting for this book - a beautiful mixture of story and scripture, it speaks to the needs of people while calling out harmful responses of the past

[Elizabeth]

Writeup to come, but I'm sure no one is surprised that my favorite parts where were I learned new things about biblical texts.

[Di · Rating 3 out of 5]

I admire how the author explained sin in the book of Genesis in the lens of shame, which puts it really into perspective. The shame that we as humans feel when we know that we did something wrong and in-turn makes us feel unworthy of God’s love. He talks about his vulnerability with his internal battle of shame for having mental illness despite being a seminarian. He explained that we all have this self-deprecating or self-criticising voice that tells us we should be ashamed, worthless, or nakedness (in Genesis) when we do something bad or sinful. It might be societal voice that tells us that, but it could also be primal instinct as what Adam and Eve felt in the garden of Eden, which called in our Christian theology, the original sin. The highlight of the story is how God responded to their self-awareness of their nakedness-shame which he asked “Who told you that you were naked?”. If we look at this question more sensibly, God was not asking in anger but of heartbreak. Imagine a parent asking a child why do they think that they are not deserving of love or forgiveness, and that they must hide or be ashamed? God must have felt it that way when he knew they disobeyed him. Although God cursed the woman of child bearing and the man of labour or toiling the earth, he also clothed them still. Despite our disobedience God meet us on our inequities and shortcomings.

[caroline seeling · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️
grapples well with the complexities. thank God for seminary readings like this that force us to think deeply on such important things. this quote he borrowed from Newbigin hits deeply:

“The poor, the deprived, the handicapped are not primarily a problem to be solved by the rich, the comfortable and the strong. They are the bearers of a witness without which the strong are lost in their own illusions. They are the trustees of a blessing without which the church cannot bless the world.
Their presence in the church is the indispensable correction of our inveterate tendency to identify the power of God with our power, the victory of God with our success. Because they keep us close to the reality of the cross, they can bring to us also, if we are willing to see, the light of a new day which dawns from beyond our horizons and which is close to us in the resurrection of the crucified.”

[Ray Rowan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Questionable theology that comes off as a response book to a similar one on the subject

The author rejects penal substitutionary atonement, redefines many traditional terms, and refers to God as a woman.

I find it disrespectful that the author refuses to use God's preferred pronouns.

I had high hopes for this book as I was looking for something on the intersection of mental health and Christianity. This book is not practical with any helpful advice and sticks to pie in the sky theology that one can hardly practice day to day.

If you are a Christian with depression and bipolar disorder like I am, it is better to skip this book unless you just want an intellectual exercise and nothing practical.

[Sarah Yolanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow it was such an insightful and eye opening read! five stars! it explores mental health through a faith-based lens in a way that feels honest, compassionate and deeply personal. coming from a religious family in a religious country, i really appreciated how the book tackled the stigma around mental illness in faith communities. it made me reflect on how spirituality and mental health can coexist, rather than be at odds with each other. this is a book i'd highly recommend to anyone whether you're religious or not because the message of understanding and grace is so important :)

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I see this book as a gift to our community. From someone who knows the power of word, David has shared a raw, painful, beautiful experience and let us in to share. This book has also served as a reminder that our God is One who can sit in the dust and ashes with us, bearing our pain, and will begin to make something new. I would recommend this book to any chaplain, pastor or other in ministry, as well as to those who have been affected by mental health struggles. Incredibly powerful!

[Joey Resciniti · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book deserves a 10-star rating! The author’s fresh take on the garden of Eden and his image of Christ on the cross as a companion in our suffering are new ideas I’ll carry with me long after shelving this book. This is both an inspiration for mental health ministry in the church and a guide to understanding mental health struggles.

[Stephen Bedard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story of a seminary student facing mental illness, including multiple stays on a psych ward. This is an important part of the conversation as we seek to end the stigma that goes with mental illness. We all need to hear this story.

[Claire Corrigan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such an honest take on how mental illness makes one think, and what it’s like to find grace in the midst of it. I think this is a great companion book for anyone who braves mental illness or has a loved one living with a condition. Looking forward to reading more too.

[David Finnegan-Hosey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grateful to be able to share my story with readers, with those on a journey with their own mental health struggles, and with those who love us.

[Clara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably my favorite book from my theology class. I liked how raw and realistic the author was about his own experience and how detailed his reflections were.

My favorite quote — and it meant a lot to me this semester — was

“It does not matter how much is done and how much remains undone, you are enough.”