The Climb: A Christ-centered guide for parents supporting one another in the midst of a child's mental illness or addiction - Paperback

Your child's addiction or mental illness doesn't have to destroy your family or your faith.

You never imagined your life would look like this. The child you watched take first steps, coached through milestones, and loved with everything you had has become someone you barely recognize. Mental illness and addiction have invaded your home, threatening your marriage, your family, and your own wellbeing. You feel isolated, overwhelmed, and desperate for someone who truly understands.

Erin and Scott Calkins have been exactly where you are. After their son's battle with co-occurring addiction and mental illness sent their family into years of crisis, they discovered that hope, joy, and love can persevere even in the darkest seasons. The Climb is the Christ-centered resource Erin searched for and could not find: a deeply personal guidebook that walks parents through four stages of healing, from the Valley of despair to the Summit of spiritual transformation. Written from both a believing wife's and a once-skeptical husband's perspective, this guide meets you wherever you are in faith, doubt, exhaustion, or hope.

Designed for use in support groups or personal reflection, The Climb includes:

- A self-evaluation to identify where you are on your journey today

- 18 guided steps with honest dual parent perspectives

- Group discussion questions, and companion devotionals rooted in Scripture

- A practical "Within My Control" resource section so you are ready to act the moment your child agrees to treatment

This is not a clinical manual from a professional. It is a "how we" from a real family who survived the unimaginable and emerged transformed. You do not have to climb alone. The Climb shows parents how to endure crisis without losing their marriage, their faith, or themselves while staying ready to act when change finally becomes possible.