Losing Eric

This is a true story that illustrates just a few of the mental episodes my family and I have experienced with my brother who has had challenges managing bipolar disorder and paranoid schizophrenia.

Losing Eric was originally a non-fiction narrative short story, penned several years ago in a writing course at Stanford based on my family's true life experiences. At the time, it was meant to be more cathartic. Writing it felt rather therapeutic in a way. It was a substitute for actual therapy sessions.

“I think we’re all six degrees of separation away from someone managing mental illness. Like many, in my case – just closer than others.”

Adapting this narrative into a visual form was done in a way that is respectful to those suffering but also told with an honesty from a loved one’s perspective, which I don’t know that the general public hears a lot about.

Losing Eric is ultimately a story about understanding. There’s a lot to be said about judging books by their covers, because we never know what someone else may be going through. I think we’re all six degrees of separation away from someone managing mental illness. Like many, in my case – just closer than others.

Jai Santiago