Mental illness is one of those things we’re aware of, but don’t seem to know that much about. Yet research suggests as many as 1 in 4 people are affected with some sort of mental disorder.
It’s much more prevalent than you may have imagined.
Our guest today, Cristóbal Krusen was blessed with a beautiful boy. A gifted athlete with “dollar signs on his feet” as one of his high school coaches described him, Daniel began to show signs of severe mental illness, and was eventually diagnosed with schizo affective disorder, (which we know as schizophrenia.)
In this episode, Cristóbal shares the many emotions he and his family have endured through Daniel’s ordeal, and how a full reliance on God and His church have allowed him to endure to the present day.
A gifted filmmaker by profession, Cristóbal has just completed a brand new film titled Let Me Have My Son. In this episode, Cristóbal opens up about his own journey of personal struggle and eventual victory over his own fears and shame.
And you’ll definitely want to stick around to the end to hear an encouraging development in Daniel’s recovery!
In this episode with Cris, you’ll learn:
-Discovering Cristóbal’s son suffers mental illness, and the aftermath which followed…06:30
-Christianity is not a “quick fix” to the trials we experience in life…11:45
-The one thing Cristóbal wishes viewers to take away from his film, Let Me Have My Son…15:00
-The many reactions and emotions experienced in the wake of Daniel’s mental illness…19:15
-God is love; allow Him to hold your hand while walking through these trials…25:30
-Start with prayer if you sincerely desire to get to the other side of the trial…31:30
-Follow the tears, and you’ll find the source of your comfort…37:10
-One word or phrase Cristóbal would use to describe who he is…40:30
-And much more…
Resources mentioned:
Let Me Have My Son film
Guest’s bio and social handles:
Instagram: @letmehavemyson and @criskrusen
Cristóbal Krusen was born and raised in Tampa, Florida, the third of four children. Early in life, he showed a keen interest in literature, reading many of the classics while still in grade school and cherishing the ambition that one day he would become a writer. He entered Harvard University in 1971, majoring in English literature, intent on making his mark as a poet and novelist. A growing interest in photography and filmmaking, however, led him to transfer to New York University where he changed majors and graduated with a BFA in Film and Television in 1976. He later attended Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California where he received his MFA in Film in 1989.
Cristóbal founded Messenger Films in 1988 and has worked as a writer/director of film and television ever since, helming productions in more than twenty countries. He is best known for Final Solution, More Than Dreams, Undaunted, Sabina K. and most recently, Let Me Have My Son. Over the last several years, Cristóbal has also begun fulfilling his childhood dream of becoming a writer. He is the author of Undaunted, They Were Christians, and Let Me Have My Son.
Working in multiple languages as a filmmaker, Cristóbal is known for a poetic visual style and the ability to draw intimate performances from actors. Above all, he is a “storyteller” who delights to engage his audience while addressing the deepest needs of the human heart.
From the Director:
“Let Me Have My Son is based on my personal experience coming to grips with my firstborn son’s struggles with severe mental illness. Daniel has suffered. His family has suffered. Yet all our troubles and heartache shall be redeemed. Of that I am sure. The hope of the resurrection is not a consolation prize; it is the cornerstone of the Christian faith and represents the very heartbeat of our movie.
Let Me Have My Son is not a documentary, nor an effort to promote the latest scientific breakthrough or miracle cure for the scourge of mental illness. Nor is it our intention with the film to stir up controversy for the sake of controversy or advocate for sweeping changes in the mental healthcare system – even where change in the system might be indicated. More than anything else, Let Me Have My Son is intended as a heartfelt expression of the longing we all have as human beings to make sense of our greatest pain and suffering. I can speak from personal experience that medicine alone cannot solve the problem of mental illness. Indeed, if we are looking for doors of healing and understanding to open in this life only, we are setting ourselves up for disappointment beyond words.
According to WHO (World Health Organization), mental disorders affect one of four people worldwide. And let’s be real… This is an issue probably close to you as well, at least to some degree. Maybe it’s not in your immediate family… Perhaps it’s your cousin… an aunt or uncle far away… the neighbor’s son across the street. The question becomes what do we do when faced with a situation as intractable as severe mental illness? Our approach in Let Me Have My Son is to venture down a spiritual path, bringing hope and empathy to the hurting.”
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