MEMOIR

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Cohen Miles-Rath, an elite runner and first-generation college student, attacked his dad with a knife. He thought he was saving humanity by killing Satan—the universe demanded it of him as the Prophet. However, he was deceived by mania and psychosis, and, soon after, was arrested at gunpoint.

Cohen’s love for his dad couldn’t stop mental illness from nearly destroying their lives. But effective intervention could have. He had been hospitalized twice. What went wrong? Since jail, Cohen has managed schizoaffective symptoms and substance misuse, confronted his painful past, and obtained a social work master’s degree. Now, he’s a mental health advocate.

Told through page-turning narrative, Cohen’s transformational journey—having overcome a maniacal, reality-shattering illness—will inspire hope in those seeking insight with mental health.

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More About My Story

If you Google my name right now, you find a 2016 news article titled “Cohocton man bites off large chunk of his dad’s earlobe.” If you read it, you learn I attacked my dad with a knife. What you don’t learn, however, is that I faced a mental health crisis. Or how much of a miracle it was for us to survive.

I grew up in rural New York with a separated family, an impoverished home, and a purpose not found. When I discovered talent in distance running, I rose to be a national elite runner and first-generation college student. But in college, I struggled with my wellness and the early signs and symptoms of mental illness.

With no mental health literacy and stigma, I was not equipped to handle the challenges. I then suffered an existential crisis coupled with psychosis. This resulted in the incident with my dad—a tragedy sensationalized in the headlines.

In the years since jail, I’ve embraced treatment. I’ve managed my mental health. I’ve risen against shame, obtained a master’s degree in social work, and have worked in mental health advocacy, education, and programming for half a decade. Now, I share my story to inspire, educate, and support mental health.

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