Health Tips

CC0 image by dh creative written by Rachael Keefe My mother wasn�t the best at being a mom. We didn�t share a whole lot of mother-daughter moments and my memories of her are not as joy-filled as I would like. Yet, I think of her at Christmas time. She hated Christmas and didn�t always cope with the stress of the holidays in healthy ways. However, I learned the deeper meaning of Christmas

written by Alan Johnson As we approach the New Year within a month, sometimes it is good to look back before going ahead. I never thought I would be offering an adult forum on my experience with mental illness in my family and have my son speak from his point of view as a person who lives with bipolar disorder. When our church started the Mental Health Ministry Team almost 9 years ago, I

written by Karl Shallowhorn Waiting It�s Advent. And we wait. We wait for a miraculous event that can transform lives through weeks of hope, peace, joy and love. For the literal millions of people, however, who live with a mental health diagnosis, even a day can feel like forever. I remember the experience of being institutionalized; waiting for the day of liberation; the day I would get

written by Hannah Campbell Gustafson I�m not sure if it is the shorter days, the cold, the political climate, or my mental health, but I�ve been craving signs of hope lately. My husband and I have been living in rural Southwest Wisconsin for a few years now, and there are many ways in which it is challenging, especially as someone who has always lived in cities, and most recently in

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