Reflections on the Meaning of Mental Integrity

“In the midst of devastating mental illness, Murphy hears from God. Her resulting faith points her toward recovery. She tells us what steps she took, and that others must take, to achieve mental health. Hers is a unique and powerful voice. Patients and doctors both should listen.”


—Russell Noyes Jr., MD, Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa





“In an impactful narrative, Marcia Murphy writes with the raw, first-person discernment of someone recovering from serious mental illness. Her prose highlights the interacting forces influencing mental health—physical, psychological, social, and faith based. Her courage in describing her own recovery and the importance of human interaction, community, prayer, and the arts can provide examples for health-care workers and religious communities looking to serve alongside those striving to recover from mental illness.”


—Cecilia Norris, MD, Medical Director, Iowa City Free Medical Clinic