While Sufficient Grace is not an autobiographical novel, the story is deeply rooted in Darnell’s experience as a daughter. Darnell's mother, Juanita Arnoult, was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia when Juanita was 40 years old and Darnell was 8. A great deal has been learned about mental illness since the mid 1960s, when Juanita was first hospitalized and treated. Today her diagnosis is schizoaffective disorder and for many years her illness has been well controlled by medication.

In an effort to enlighten the general public about mental illness, to challenge stereotypes, and to give mentally ill individuals and their family members helpful information, Juanita and Darnell, along with Darnell's daughter Elizabeth Stone, have participated in the documentary film Outside the Lines: Stories of Depression, Bi-Polar Disorder, and Schizophrenia, produced by Minnow Media.

More information about this upcoming one-hour public television documentary and outreach project

For other recommended sites related to the topic of mental illness, see the Links section.