If Not

For those of you who have read the blog and reached out to me, thank you so much for listening and reminding me that I am not alone. I am so thankful that God has used this to encourage others. I wanted to wrap up this series on Anxiety & Depression with one final post. I used to think that depression was a death sentence when the counselor told me "you might struggle with this for the rest of your life." I could not fathom life "working" very well for me. I felt so debilitated, marooned, and helpless. I felt like I had a black mark on my life and I was being punished. By the grace of God, I no longer see it that way. God, who is greater in both power and understanding, saw fit to allow this trial in my life, and I can honestly say that I am thankful. It was my struggle with depression that first drew me to His feet. It was my struggle that really pushed me to seek accountability, community, and the desire to teach and disciple. My struggle is part of who I am...

So far, I have shared a lot "dos" when it comes to managing your mental health, but here are few "don'ts" to contemplate. These examples are not only researched-based* but also felt in my own life. I think you may be able to relate: #1 Neglect your physical health It is a well-documented phenomenon that physical exercise has an INCREDIBLE effect on your mental health. Build it into your schedule! Get up and move! I always feel better even after a short walk to the mailbox and back (in my case, this involves hoofing it 200 meters up a steep hill with a baby in a stroller). Along the same vein, pay attention to what you eat and drink. Last summer, I read an interesting book by Dr. David Perlmutter called "Brain Maker." In several of his books, he explains the undeniable connection between what we eat and how we feel. I have talked to several people who have seen incredible improvement in their mental health by simply eating right or cutting out...

One of the most unique lessons I have learned in my journey is that being on the "outside, looking in" can be just as scary. If you have been there, you know exactly what I mean. Someone you love is struggling with mental illness and you are flooded with a myriad of emotions. At any given point you may feel sad, frustrated, angry, confused, overwhelmed or scared to death. You want so desperately to help the person you love but you do not know how. You wish you could take the pain away for them. You wish there was SOME sort of affirmative action to take but you feel at a total loss. I just wish I could take your hand, look you in the eye and say this: "I'm so sorry you are going through this. It is so very hard for YOU as well as the person you love. I want you to take a deep breath and know that is is 'okay' to not have all the answers. Right now, your loved one just needs you ."  In the same way that the physical health of care-takers often suf...

Among the countless aspects of mental health that our society stigmatizes, counseling and therapy tend to stand out. If you are sick, you go to the doctor. If your car is acting up, you take it to the shop. But when it comes to mental health, people are SO reluctant to seek professional help. Why is that? I think I can take a few guesses why we neglect our mental health: Seeking professional counseling is stigmatized in our culture. Often the characters who seek counseling in movies and TV shows are "just plain nuts" Mental health issues may not be easily observed by those around you. To your family and friends, you seem like yourself. Inside, you feel like you are living in chaos.  Perhaps you TRIED counseling and had a poor experience... like this lady   Whatever the reason, I want to put in a plug for clinical psychologists and the work they do. I have learned a lot through the various types of counsel I have received and I think that EVERYONE can benefit f...