FranklinCovey On Leadership with Scott Miller James Longman: Mental Health, Family History, and the Power of Agency
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Apr 22, 2025 James Longman, an ABC News foreign correspondent and author of The Inherited Mind, offers insights from both personal and scientific perspectives on mental health. He shares his family's struggles with schizophrenia and depression, emphasizing the importance of understanding genetics versus epigenetics. Longman explores the emotional costs of secrecy and advocates for open conversations about mental illness. He highlights the power of community support and personal agency in fostering mental well-being, providing hope for those navigating similar challenges.
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Discovering Father's Hidden Story
- James Longman was kept from knowing details about his father's schizophrenia and suicide until his mid-20s.
- Discovering the truth helped him separate his own sadness from his father's illness and humanize him beyond just the disease.
Epigenetics Shapes Mental Health
- Though mental illnesses have genetic components, these only account for about 2% of our genetic code.
- The remaining 98% involves epigenetics, which we have agency over, enabling us to influence our mental health and future.
Humanizing His Father's Life
- Writing the book allowed Longman to add factual detail and complexity to his father's life.
- This process revealed his father as more than his schizophrenia and suicide, offering a fuller human portrait.
