Fragile Connections is about the impact of mental illness on the afflicted and their loved ones. It is written to give ministers and other care providers basic knowledge of four types of mental illness -- depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and Alzheimer's disease -- so that they may better understand and respond to those who suffer from these illnesses. For each of the illnesses discussed, Capps provides readers with a working knowledge of the "five C's" of mental illness: characteristics, causes, course, consequences, and curability. He uses memoirs written by persons afflicted with mental illness or by their family members rather than case studies to offer a personal understanding of the impact of these illnesses.