Articles

One of the best ways to prepare for times when thoughts of suicide become overwhelming is to create a personal safety plan. Your safety plan is a written road map for times when you’re fighting against the urge to end your life. Choose a day when you have hope for life, or at least when…

“The scars you can’t see are the ones that hurt the most.” -Michelle Hodkin, The Becoming of Noah Shaw If you feel an urge to hurt yourself at times, you’re not alone. Some studies have shown that as many as 20 percent of high-school students and 40 percent of college students have self-harmed at some…

Both anxiety and depression can keep you worrying about the future or stressing about the past. Fight back with mindfulness. Anxiety and depression are very different illnesses, but they have some things in common. Depression and anxiety take your focus away from the present momentAnxiety often brings worries about future events, while depression often causes people…

What’s the best way to approach your doctor about starting treatment? Here’s a helpful step-by-step guide. The following information has been reprinted, lightly edited, from the NIMH website. Much of this information was originally written to help people with depression, but we’ve added references to anxiety when the advice applies. Step 1: Visit your doctor…

When you feel like suicide is the only way, don’t believe it. That’s a lie depression tells. When depression and hopelessness become overwhelming, sometimes suicide might seem like the only way to escape the pain. But don’t believe it. That’s a lie depression is telling you. You have other options, even though you may not…

Recovery is a process, and you’re most likely still somewhere on the spiral staircase. As you start to feel better, build the tools that work for you into habits to maintain your progress. If sleep helps you feel better, for example, try not to pull all-nighters just because you’re feeling better. You want your recovery…

Mental and physical health aren’t two separate things. You’re one whole person, body and mind. If your mental health isn’t great, you can get physical symptoms like pain or immune issues. If your physical health is poor, you may struggle mentally too. To build a healthy mind, you’ll need to take care of you.  Your…

You can take back control of your life, but you don’t have to do it alone. Friends, family, and trained professionals can help you as you heal. You don’t have to do this alone Healing isn’t something you’re supposed to figure out on your own. Finding the right support system is a tremendous part of the…

The first step to thinking differently is learning to hear and confront false beliefs. Depression and anxiety can put some heavy thoughts into your head. And the more you believe those negative ideas, the more anxious or depressed you become. The good news is that you don’t have to stay in that cycle of negativity.…

Prepare to talk with a doctor or mental health professional by educating yourself on the risks and treatment options for anxiety disorders. The following medical information is from the National Institute for Mental Health (NIMH) website, reprinted here with light editing for flow. Occasional anxiety is an expected part of life. You might feel anxious…

“In every matter about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters.” -Daniel 1:20 (NIV). Congratulations! If you’ve made it to the maintenance stage of your recovery, it’s time to celebrate. And if you’re just starting to heal, but wanted to read ahead, then congratulations on…

Learning about the factors involved in depression, and the different types of depressive disorders will help you to have an educated conversation with your doctor about your condition. This article is from the National Institute for Mental Health website, and has been lightly edited for clarity and flow. Depression is a real illness When a…

God was with Elijah as the prophet faced his fears and negative thoughts. He’ll be there for you, too. “Talk to yourself like you would to someone you love.” -Brené Brown Some days, depression and anxiety can leave you feeling like the whole world is against you. And you’re not the only one. That’s how…

Suicide is a major public health concern. Over 47,000 people died by suicide in the United States in 2017; it is the 10th leading cause of death overall. Suicide is complicated and tragic, but it is often preventable. Knowing the warning signs for suicide and how to get help can help save lives. If you…

You’re a complete package – your body and mind don’t work without each other. God took care of Elijah’s body before engaging his brain. The brain is constantly adapting. -Maryanne Wolf If you click through this website, you’ll see articles about exercise, sleep, and taking better care of yourself. It might look like we’re just…

Even spiritual giants like Moses and Elijah needed help to cope sometimes. Hey you, the one reading this article. Good for you! You saw this website and you started reading it. Well done! You took the time to stare your depression or anxiety in the eye, and tell it it’s not going to win. That’s…

If you’ve ever felt depressed, you’re in good company. Some of the Bible’s greatest heroes faced depression. Be gentle with yourself. “Elijah was afraid and ran for his life…He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die…Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep.” -1 Kings 19:3-5…

It’s OK to be at rock bottom. But don’t give in to the lies. Your life isn’t over. God has great things planned for you. The most insidious thing about depression and hopelessness is the way they lie to you and then take away your means to prove them wrong. Depression breaks into your brain,…

What’s the difference between God’s calling and anxious guilt? God will never condemn you. “Anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, but only empties today of its strength.” -Charles Spurgeon  Anxiety isn’t easy for anyone to battle. But for those of us who grew up with a religious background, it can get a little extra complicated.…