Whether you are suffering from chemical imbalances and genetic inheritance or trauma and grief your feelings are valid. From what I’ve learned and experienced, mental illness is a natural response to life. It’s not an accident, but rather our minds trying to respond and save us.
“Although the world is full of suffering. it is also full of the overcoming of it.” Helen Keller
For some, mental illness can be life long and for others short lived. If you really want to heal I urge you to be gentle with yourself and open in your healing practice. Life can be terrible, so please take time to find joy on your journey.
AS YOU HEAL, BE GENTLE
Of the many important lessons in healing possibly the most vital is learning to be gentle with yourself. Many of us grow up with the idea that we need tough love. That process doesn’t work as well when healing from sadness. Being gentle is always a good choice.
Books, Websites & Hotlines
“Wise Women Don’t Worry, Wise Women Don’t Sing the Blues” by Jane Claypool
“Self-Love Diet: The Only Diet That Works” by Michelle Minero Mft.
“Steering by Starlight” by Martha Beck
“The Center of Me: The Journey to Finding Your Inner Coach” by Laura L. Barry
“Shortcuts to Mindfulness: 100 Ways to Personal and Spiritual Growth” Catherine Auman
“Oh Flux! How Did I Get Here” by Patricia Rundblade
“A Path With Heart” by Jack Kornfield
The Love Warrior Community focuses on helping people work on self-love and body acceptance at http://lovewarriorcommunity.com
Mental Health America – This is where I completed a free mental health first aid training, http://mentalhealthamerica.net
NAMI – Alliance of mental illness has a program called Peer to Peer, similar to Big Brother/Big Sister, which is a way to socialize and give support for those who are feeling isolated. – http://nami.org
DBSA– Depression, Bipolar, Anxiety- http://dbsalliance.org
Survivors of Suicide Loss – http://SOSLSD.org
Nationwide Suicide Prevention Hotline , 1-800-273-8255
The Trevor Project – Suicide prevention for LGBTQ youth,
1-866-488-7386 or http://thetrevorhelpline.org
There are apps that support mental health. The My3App connects someone who is feeling suicidal with their three main support contacts –http://my3app.org
Don’t want to call? Use a text hotline. Text 741741 anywhere in the USA for a live trained counselor.
