Thursday, October 20, 2022
A big misconception that can hold us back from taking a step towards better mental health is - just try harder, then it will get better. The truth is often closer to - we need help to get better. Sometimes we need a little bit of help, other times we need a lot of help. It’s ok to ask for help and the key is to start somewhere.
A few ways you can consider taking a step, or offering a loved one a step, towards getting help is:
- Celebrate Recovery. Not just for addictions, but for anyone who is struggling and needs help with a hurt, habit or hang-up. Hosted on Thursday and Friday nights and you can get times and locations at CedarCreek.tv/CelebrateRecovery. There are also groups that meet during the week specific to Celebrate Recovery and can be found at CedarCreek.tv/Groups.
- Counseling Referral. As a church, we’ve compiled a referral list of local Christian counselors that is available at Guest Services every weekend.
While these are not specifically faith-based, these are 24 hour hotlines ready and available during a crisis:
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988; The Lifeline provides 24-hour, confidential support to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. Call or text 988 to connect with a trained crisis counselor. Support is also available in English via live chat.
- Crisis Text Line: Text “HELLO” to 741741. The Crisis Text hotline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week throughout the U.S. The Crisis Text Line serves anyone, in any type of crisis, connecting them with a crisis counselor who can provide support and information.
- Veterans Crisis Line: Call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) and press 1
Resources: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/find-help
For Parents:
Whether your kid struggles with homework, test taking, bullies, or making friends, here are three things you can do to help them manage their anxiety or panic, no matter the situation they’re in:
In moments of panic, the brain prioritizes the emotional centers and decreases the logical processing centers. Breathing slows down this process.
Anxiety is a future-oriented state. In a moment of panic, we become consumed with the “what ifs” and forget what’s happening in our current reality. When this happens, lead your kid to practice grounding techniques.
- Lead them to positive self-talk
Speaking positive things aloud interrupts the anxious thoughts and chemicals that are driving feelings of panic. Positive words help shift a kid’s focus from what they can do, rather than what feels hard or difficult at the moment. Say things like, “What can you do to be brave?” Remind them they are safe and that this will pass.