On Saturday my husband and I were invited to dinner at the home of a couple whose company we enjoy and during the conversation the novel’s progress came up. I was asked with a smile, “So what do you plan to do with the money when this book, and your next one are selling? Buy something really nice for yourself? A hot car maybe? A boat?”
I laughed and shook my head. “Oh, come on,” she pressed, “tell us what is the one thing that you dream of having after all this work? By the look on their faces, I could tell they were genuinely curious. So I answered them. They were silent for a moment, taking it in, then he said quietly, “you need to let your readers know.” She nodded in agreement, “Yes, tell them why you’re doing this and perhaps they’ll help by buying your books.”
I decided to follow their advice.
A little history… My husband and I have been working in the mental health field for more than twenty-five years and we love our work—we love our patients. But anyone working in mental health knows that the field is fraught with financial difficulties. Trust me—unless you’re Dr. Phil—no one in mental health makes tons of money – you’re lucky to make a decent living. In fact when I told my stepfather years ago that I wanted to be a therapist, the dear man actually laughed out loud and said, “ after all that education, you’ll never make any money.” His comment didn't deter us. We believe that working in mental health is a calling. A call that my husband and I answered gladly.
The Mental Health Care Predicament… the main problem is that individuals and families who are uninsured or have the bare minimum of health insurance have very few options for quality mental health care. Often those with health insurance have severely limited mental health coverage or have high co-pays which make continuing mental health therapy sessions unaffordable.
Many of these people do without therapy and consider it a luxury they can’t afford. It’ s not a luxury—sound mental health is a necessity. Poor mental health sooner or later will lead to other problems, such as physical illness, job loss, and substance abuse that often results from patients futile attempts to cope with their mental illness.
Other individuals and families are sent to government funded facilities with long waiting lists where the underpaid, often burnt-out therapists frequently have caseloads of fifty or more clients that need to be seen weekly. The staff at these agencies do the best that they can with what they have, despite the tremendous strain under which they work. Not to mention the condition of many of the aid funded offices—old, broken furniture, dingy, dirty floors and walls. How can a person get healthy in such deplorable conditions? What message is being sent to these individuals and families?
My husband and I wish to open a non-profit mental health center where individuals, couples, and families who need mental health services can receive quality treatment in a clean and comfortable environment, staffed by highly skilled professionals. Individual sessions, family and couple therapy, will be available for adults and children of all ages. Medication management will also be available. Fees at the center will be charged according to the client’s ability to pay, determined by income and family size. Proceeds from MarianMillerBooks will help to subsidize this venture.
Please get a copy of Light on Water, and encourage your friends and family to do so too.
Help us to help others!
I laughed and shook my head. “Oh, come on,” she pressed, “tell us what is the one thing that you dream of having after all this work? By the look on their faces, I could tell they were genuinely curious. So I answered them. They were silent for a moment, taking it in, then he said quietly, “you need to let your readers know.” She nodded in agreement, “Yes, tell them why you’re doing this and perhaps they’ll help by buying your books.”
I decided to follow their advice.
A little history… My husband and I have been working in the mental health field for more than twenty-five years and we love our work—we love our patients. But anyone working in mental health knows that the field is fraught with financial difficulties. Trust me—unless you’re Dr. Phil—no one in mental health makes tons of money – you’re lucky to make a decent living. In fact when I told my stepfather years ago that I wanted to be a therapist, the dear man actually laughed out loud and said, “ after all that education, you’ll never make any money.” His comment didn't deter us. We believe that working in mental health is a calling. A call that my husband and I answered gladly.
The Mental Health Care Predicament… the main problem is that individuals and families who are uninsured or have the bare minimum of health insurance have very few options for quality mental health care. Often those with health insurance have severely limited mental health coverage or have high co-pays which make continuing mental health therapy sessions unaffordable.
Many of these people do without therapy and consider it a luxury they can’t afford. It’ s not a luxury—sound mental health is a necessity. Poor mental health sooner or later will lead to other problems, such as physical illness, job loss, and substance abuse that often results from patients futile attempts to cope with their mental illness.
Other individuals and families are sent to government funded facilities with long waiting lists where the underpaid, often burnt-out therapists frequently have caseloads of fifty or more clients that need to be seen weekly. The staff at these agencies do the best that they can with what they have, despite the tremendous strain under which they work. Not to mention the condition of many of the aid funded offices—old, broken furniture, dingy, dirty floors and walls. How can a person get healthy in such deplorable conditions? What message is being sent to these individuals and families?
My husband and I wish to open a non-profit mental health center where individuals, couples, and families who need mental health services can receive quality treatment in a clean and comfortable environment, staffed by highly skilled professionals. Individual sessions, family and couple therapy, will be available for adults and children of all ages. Medication management will also be available. Fees at the center will be charged according to the client’s ability to pay, determined by income and family size. Proceeds from MarianMillerBooks will help to subsidize this venture.
Please get a copy of Light on Water, and encourage your friends and family to do so too.
Help us to help others!