This week, I taped an interview with the PBS show To the Contrary, which I hope will make it to the air. The show is in its 20th season, and is billed as “A Discussion of Issues from Diverse Perspectives.”

I am thrilled that this show has selected to discuss Ben Behind His Voices, and allow me to share our story with its viewers, along with the messages of understanding, respect, hope, and the need for better services and more research.  I’m finding, though, as I work the media circuit, that coverage is very much dependent upon what the interviewer wants to bring out,  whether he/she has even read the book, and their personal experiences with mental illness.

Right before we taped this one, the producer shared something with me that I found disturbing, and wonder if you do too. 

“We’ve Already Done Mental Illness”

PBS show with BOnnie Erbe

She told me that in the decision-making meeting about whether or not to cover my book, there had been a strong opinion in the room that the show had already “done mental illness”, and the question as to what my book would bring to an issue that they felt they had already covered.

Really?  The issue is covered??? Wow.  I was somewhat taken aback by the fact that I now had to prove myself, as an author and as a guest.

Mental Illness is far from a one-issue story.

I ended up discussing our journey, the need for early detection of mental illness and more research, NAMI, the need for families to find mental health support and education, and the fact that schizophrenia is arguably the most misunderstood of the mental illnesses and deserved some good press for the people who have the diagnosis and yet are still living worthwhile lives: contributing to society, loved by others, learning to cope and thrive.

Yet, I felt like I was defending myself after that comment. I think the

issues are numerous

25-minute interview (which will be pared down to 4 minutes of their choice, if it is used – I wonder how they will do that?) went really well, actually. This was partly because the producer asked me some really insightful questions and gave me full opportunity to say anything I felt I wanted to get across.

Will let you know if and when my segment airs, and what the show chooses to focus on.  But here is something I learned, and will use in my next interview:

What makes this book different? What does it bring to the mental illness table that is unique? It is our story, that’s what.

While some of the PR people seem to think that this is a book of advice, that’s not what it is. Yes, it has sidebars of info to help the reader understand the issues and where to find help, but this book is at its heart a memoir. Why? Because we learn best through stories. So many have written to me that they read the book for its “page-turning dramatic value” and as a side effect, found themselves understanding schizophrenia and how it affects the family. Those e-mails really make me happy, because they remind me that it is our story that will touch others, not the facts and statistics.

So I guess I can’t drive another six hours each way and re-tape the interview, but I sure can say it here, and in the next round of press. Live it, learn it.

So, To the Contrary producers, thank you so much for deciding to have me on your show despite the naysayers who felt the issue had been “covered already.” I hope that our conversation will change their minds when they see it, and open the discussion among others.

There is always more to learn about this issue, and each of us has a story to help uncover and explore the never-ending issues. What’s yours?