Health Tips

written by Alan Johnson Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy!---Psalm 126:5 I have gone to presentations on the warning signs to look for in a person who may be exhibiting a mental health condition. I have gone to the Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) program which is very heavy on how we can notice the signs and symptoms of mental illness: depression, suicide, anxiety

written by Kirk Moore �Why aren�t you smiling? It�s (insert holiday here) and we�re supposed to be joyful!� Said to countless people by countless people at family gatherings, parties, or church services relating to holidays. It�s OK to feel great around the holidays. It�s OK to celebrate. It�s OK to laugh, dance, and sing for joy. It�s not just OK -- it�s wonderful. Celebrating is

Written by Rachael Keefe. This post originally appeared in Rachel's Blog, Write out of Left Field. Mental illness crosses all human barriers. No one is exempt. Wealth can�t buy its way out. Power cannot force it away. Religion cannot keep it at bay. It isn�t contagious but everyone is potentially at risk. Usually, its causes are biological, genetic and often emerges as an individual comes to

written by Alan Johnson �Do not fear; for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine,� Isa. 43:1 When I hear or read about mental health and gun violence, I can become defensive. And here is why. We know that in a survey, 60% of Americans thought that people with schizophrenia were likely to act violently toward someone else, while 32% thought that people with major

written by Karl Shallowhorn One of the greatest evidences of God�s love to those that love him is, to send them afflictions, with grace to bear them. ~ John Wesley I�ve been living with bipolar disorder for over 36 years (two-thirds of my life) and co-occurring addiction disorder since my mid-teens (I have 29 years clean now). Most of these years were fraught with struggle and dismay. I

written by Hannah Campbell Gustafson I�m embarrassed to say that I took my first Mental Health First Aid class this week (what took me so long?). But, I�m also excited to say that I took my first Mental Health First Aid class this week! It is an invigorating time to be in rural southwest Wisconsin when you have the passions that I do. My first few years here, I was (stupidly) astounded at

written by Amy Petr� Hill Last Friday my congregation�s WISE Team came together to celebrate over a meal. We held up what we had accomplished, shared what we failed to do, and reflected upon what we learned from each of these experiences. There was no finger pointing or blame, but laughter and appreciation of our service to others in the midst of our own imperfections. Jesus� name was only