Epiphany UMC to Offer Seminar
It was like receiving missing pieces to an ongoing puzzle.
-Pastor Lisa Kerwin
by David Miller
Mitchell Schnure died by suicide last year. Ann Schnure said her son was suffering in silence with anxiety, depression, and Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), which was not diagnosed until his junior year of college. “When we discovered he had ADD it didn't seem possible as he had never had any ‘behavior’ issues.” She said that she and her husband realized that they didn't really know anything factual about ADD or the level of anxiety that Mitchell had.
Rev. Lisa Kerwin has her own story. Kerwin was Mitchell Schnure’s Pastor at Epiphany United Methodist Church. Ann Schnure and her husband Bill, also attend Epiphany. Kerwin’s son was recently diagnosed at age 31 with “depression and panic.” She said that her family had to get educated quickly. “I learned so much. It was like receiving missing pieces to an ongoing puzzle. I learned how best to help our son, and most importantly learned how to understand and love him just as he is."
The Schnures and Kerwin have helped organize a Mental Illness Seminar that will be held at the church on Sunday, January 29 at 6 PM. Epiphany is located at 6635 Loveland-Miamiville Road in Miami Township next to the Oasis Golf Club.
Kerwin said that the seminar will present important information about mental illness, “That helps us to gain understanding that can lead to healing for others.” Another important element of the seminar is to strive to lift the stigma of mental illness. The program is for adults and youth. “It is not appropriate for young children, but we will have childcare,” said Kerwin. It is for those that suffer from a mental illness, depression, or anxiety, and for family, friends and loved ones of those who struggle.
Ann Schnure will open the evening by sharing her family's experience. She said that Mitchell worked so hard to hide his mental issues that it made him exhausted. “He felt that he was somehow defective and different than everyone else and he was at fault for being this way. Unfortunately, he died by suicide because he did not want to burden others with his problems and issues.”
After Epiphany member Andrew Lynch died by suicide in October of 2010, Epiphany used funds from his “Memorial Giving” to start a suicide awareness group. With the blessings of Andrew’s parents, Heather and Joe Lynch they chose the name ASAP - Andrew’s Suicide and Prevention. It is a ministry to explore ways the Church can address mental health and suicide prevention.
Joe Lynch said, “Andrew did not have any diagnosed mental illness; however, as we learned more about the link between most suicides and mental illness over the last 15 months, we have wondered if there was a possible missed diagnosis.” That is the message Joe Lynch sends when he says he strongly encourages all parents to take the time to learn the warning signs and what to watch for. “I do not want another family to experience what we have."
Kerwin said that having a proper understanding and perspective about mental illness will help everyone because we will all at some point in our lives be connected to someone, family, friends, coworkers, or employees, that struggle with a mental illness.
Dr. Sergio Delgado, Professor at the Department of Psychiatry at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and the University of Cincinnati, will also be a guest speaker. His expertise is in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), depression, bipolar and anxiety disorders.
Delgado will give an overall presentation about mental illness; what it is, who suffers from it, how one might discern the signs, and how a person might help another with a mental illness.
Kerwin said she asked Dr Delgado to speak because her contacts with suicide prevention and mental health agencies said, "He's the guy you want."
Amidst her still raw pain and a broken heart, Ann Schnure says that she wants to
share what she has learned so far in her journey. She has learned that mental illness is no different than having a physical illness and it requires treatment, patience, and usually medication. Her advice is that the best progress will occur when the loved one is surrounded by kind accepting people. She thinks people will find this at Epiphany’s Mental Illness Seminar.
Kerwin echoes Schnure’s gained wisdom as she remains vigilant about her own son’s health. “I learned how best to help my son, and most importantly learned how to understand and love him just as he is."
For more information, you can call Epiphany at 677-9866 or send an E-Mail to hello@epiphanyumc.org. Kerwin can also be reached at lkerwin@epiphanyumc.org.
