Jaimee Smart (from episodes 7 and 8 on grief) returns to discuss mental health with Grace Jensen. Jaimee discovered through experience that once one partner comes into a marriage with mental illness, the illness becomes a part of both partners’ stories. Open, non-judgemental communication is key to helping the ill partner. You may be able to create game plans together to combat the mental illness that one spouse on their own wouldn’t have been able to see. Both partners need outside support when there is mental illness in a marriage, such as support groups, therapists, or trusted friends.
Grace and Jaimee then turn to talking about mental illness in extended family. Jaimee shares how controlling behavior is often an indicator of mental illness in parents. The pair discusses the importance of communicating boundaries and always being on your spouse’s team, as well as the benefits of medication. They end by reminding the listener that being mentally ill does not equal being broken. Asking for help or just talking about your mental illness could be life-changing, for you and for someone else.
You can also listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, iHeart Radio, or TuneIn.