A Q&A with my favorite advocate
She was the star of the school musical, on the track team, wrote a book as the first teenage author for Thomas Nelson Publishers, and was diagnosed with schizophrenia in her late teens. She’s my daughter, Rebecca Lyn Phillips, and to highlight Mental Health Awareness Month, I sat down with her and asked her some questions.
1. Tell us a little about yourself.
I was born in North Dakota and have lived in Georgia, Kentucky, and Oklahoma. At age twelve, I moved to Topeka, Kansas. My sister, Laura, was born when I was six and I have adored her from the beginning.
My father was a communications professor at Washburn University in Topeka. I attended Cair Paravel Latin School from sixth grade on and I thrived in the challenging environment. I loved to learn.
In addition to school activities, I had a babysitting business and the children I babysat are now grown and doing amazing things.
2. How did your journey with mental illness begin?
During my teen years, I started getting fearful and anxious. I started getting depressed. I told my parents I needed help. They took me to a psychiatric hospital which was the beginning of many hospitalizations. Eventually, I was diagnosed with schizophrenia.
3. What are some of the things you have learned from your experience with mental illness?
I have been on this journey of mental illness since age eighteen. It’s been a rough road with lots of ups and downs. Some of the things I have learned from my experience is that I am not alone. There are people on my treatment team who love me. There is my family who loves me and my friends.
The other thing I have learned from my illness is that the daily effort to stay on top of my symptoms is complicated. I have to work hard to be sure I am supported in my recovery journey—getting my injection on time and being diligent with my counseling visits. I learn skills I use each and every day to manage my emotions and thoughts and perceptions.
4. Where do you get support on your journey?
Valeo Behavioral Health Care, our local mental health center, helps me in many ways. My mom and I were involved in a family support group for many years. It helped us learn to communicate as a family. We connected with others who had the diagnosis of schizophrenia and their family members. We had support that carried us through life’s ups and downs. We learned so much about schizophrenia and it helped us to grow closer together.
The University of Kansas Medical School was the place where my life turned around. Sixteen years ago, my mother and sister drove me to KU Med on a raw and cold February day. They saved my life. It was there that I was put on an injectable medication. I know medication is very complicated and each person is unique. I am thankful that this was just what I needed to manage my illness—and actually to thrive. My wonderful psychiatrist was so kind to me and taught me that my advocacy is a powerful tool in my own recovery and in living out my faith. I learned from him that I can do this journey and that I am not alone.
Jennifer Ayers-Moore has played an important role in my life. The story of her brother, Nathaniel Ayers, was told in the movie (and book) “The Soloist.” My mother and I went to see the movie in 2008 and I was so inspired that I looked up information about Nathaniel and his story. I discovered Jennifer had started a non-profit to support people with mental illness. Her web site asked for stories—so I typed my story and shared it. She called me! We have been friends ever since! We finally met when she came to Topeka to be the keynote speaker at Valeo’s annual fundraising banquet, “Unmasking Stigma.”
My sister, Laura, and her husband, Don, support me and cheer me on. They are some of the most giving and kind people I know and Don coming into our family has given me comfort and peace. Laura inspires me with her career and her triathlons. They always make time to visit my mom and me.
My mom has been so supportive of me. We get along about 99 percent of the time and that is unreal with an adult child with challenges and her mom communicating well. She takes me out to eat sometimes and we help each other. She has always been my advocate and is involved in support groups.
My faith communities have been there for me and encouraged my faith walk and going down the road of mental health recovery with the Lord.
Oh, and one more support is my coffee shop routine! The baristas encourage me too! Coffee is part of my recovery!
5. What are some of the exciting opportunities you’ve had to advocate?
In 2009, Janssen Pharmaceutical filmed a short informational video to educate their drug representatives. It was not for the purpose of promoting their medications, but to educate about schizophrenia. Our wonderful local company, Gizmo Pictures (Jeff Carson) filmed my interview along with my mother at my apartment.
A couple of years later, we were filmed in a national documentary, again in my little apartment, and the premiere was held in Washington, D.C. That documentary can be viewed and has almost one million views. See link below.
I have the privilege of speaking and sharing the documentary at the annual CIT (Crisis Intervention Team) training held at the Topeka Police Department. We have one of the best training programs in the nation to help officers learn about mental illness.
6. What would you say to family members of loved ones who have mental illness?
I would say don’t be afraid to ask for help. Don’t feel like you have stupid questions. Dare to reach out and share. Nothing is a dumb question. Practice makes perfect. And the road is long, but God is there.
7. Finally, will you share some web sites that could help educate and inspire others?
Yes!
“Living with Schizophrenia: A Call to Hope and Recovery,” is the national documentary in which I was featured along with two others.
A great podcast is “Schizophrenia: Three Moms in the Trenches.” I was interviewed for episodes 9 and 10. These three moms have each written a book about their adult sons who have schizophrenia. They now have 66 episodes! Their podcast was given the distinction of number 3 of the best schizophrenia podcasts! Their Facebook page is:
This YouTube channel is awesome. She is a psychologist who makes mental health videos that do indeed inspire and educate.
Helpful and inspiring short videos can be found on the “Valeo Topeka” YouTube channel. Here are two in which you might be able to identify the participants.
Dr. Tracey Marks is a psychiatrist in Atlanta with 20 years of experience. She’s great!
I wrote an article for Guideposts Magazine called “The Road of Faith.”
This is a website for folks dealing with bipolar disorder. It is great.