Divided Yet Unified

Biography

Divided Yet Unified by Jack Eisland

People are your greatest asset, hold on to them with everything within you, you never know when you will need them the most.

What started out as a childhood journey growing up in the then working class suburb of Redhead, Newcastle became a lifelong struggle with Mental Illness, Sexual Orientation and Religion. In his book, Jack demonstrates how he navigates his way through these harsh challenges and divisive issues to learn to live a modified normal life and how a life divided can become unified.

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Testimonials

Courageous Battle With Mental Illness

This book is a courageous story revealing the complexities of mental illness and the battle to achieve a balanced 'normal' life. It is unique, as we read directly from someone who has been through the gamut, coming out the other side with a good understanding of the fragility of life, and able to enjoy simple pleasures.

It is a 'no holds barred' account of the ups and downs of family and divorce, employment, relationships, and other issues associated with mental illness. The autobiography addresses the challenge of rebuilding a life to contribute, rather than be a drain on society.

Testimonial

DBS

A beacon of hope.

Reviewed in Australia on 16 December 2024

The book "Divided yet unified" is an insightful and moving account of someone dealing with severe mental illness. Despite the seemingly impossible hurdles faced by the author, faith, and the love of family and friends have played a huge part in not giving up hope. I would highly recommend this book as it offers a beacon of hope to all those suffering with debilitating mental illness.

Testimonial 1

Maggie H.

This is a moving story about one man's struggle to deal with quite severe mental illness. The author has been dealing with his demons for many years, and in his book he explains in great detail how he has dealt with each of his health issues. It is very encouraging to read how Jack fights back strongly after being beaten down by episodes of mental illness. We read about how desperate some people can become in dealing with serious mental health issues. Jack, many times, has risen from the depths of despair, to lead a more peaceful life. Jack's story of how his life has unfolded makes for fascinating reading. Recommended.

Testimonial 2

Geoffrey H.

Q: The title "Divided Yet Unified" is intriguing. What does it mean in the context of this book?

The title reflects the author's journey of bringing together seemingly disparate aspects

of his life: mental illness, religion, and sexual orientation. The author felt these areas

often create division but aimed to show how a life experienced as divided can become

unified through self-acceptance and faith. A friend suggested the concept of "crossing

barriers or bringing divided worlds together," which resonated with the author.

Yes, "Divided Yet Unified" is an in-depth personal story about the author's struggles with

severe mental illnesses, including type one bipolar disorder, OCD anxiety disorder, and

schizoaffective disorder, over many years. He details his experiences with these

conditions, including the challenges, hospitalisations, and his journey towards finding

the right treatment and a more peaceful life.

Absolutely. The author, Jack Eisland, openly discusses his journey with his bisexuality

and his Christian faith. He shares his confusion growing up and feeling that being gay

was wrong within religious circles17 . The book explores his process of questioning his

faith and ultimately deciding to be true to himself, finding peace in having faith in both

God and himself. He believes that faith and freedom of sexual expression can co-exist,

and he presents himself as a living example of this.

The author shares his personal journey of grappling with faith while experiencing severe

mental illness. He recounts times when he felt like he wasn't measuring up in his religious

practices. He explicitly rejects the idea that his mental illness is due to demon possession

or spiritual failings, asserting that it is a medical condition resulting from a chemical

imbalance. He emphasises the importance of medical practitioners and modern

medicine in treating mental illness, cautioning against relying solely on the hope of

divine healing.

Yes, the author directly addresses the hurt and damage caused by the division between

religion and the LGBTQIA+ community. He recounts feeling uncomfortable in a church

he attended and eventually finding liberation in leaving the church while his faith grew

stronger. He critiques the teaching that one cannot be gay and Christian as a

destructive religious misconception. His aim is to help dissolve the division between the

church and the LGBTQIA+ community.

The author highlights the crucial role of therapy and medication, particularly finding the

right medication after a long period of incorrect ones. He also emphasises the

importance of family and friends as incredible sources of support. He specifically

mentions the Black Dog Institute and the Lawson Clinic as tremendous resources in his

healing journey.

Yes, a primary motivation for the author in sharing his story is to give hope and

encouragement to others facing similar challenges. Reviews describe the book as "a

beacon of hope" and "very encouraging to read how Jack fights back strongly after

being beaten down by episodes of mental illness" . The author emphasises the

importance of not giving up and seeking the right help.

Based on its content and themes, this book would particularly resonate with individuals

who identify as LGBT, especially those who have experienced mental health challenges

and have navigated or are currently navigating their religious or spiritual beliefs . It

offers a firsthand account of someone who has faced similar intersections of identity

and provides a message of hope, resilience, and the possibility of finding unity within oneself