Resources to Face Down Anxiety and Depression
During this complicated time of year, I'm sharing some posts I've previously written about navigating anxiety and depression.
Hey, everyone.
More and more, we hear the phrase, “It’s okay not to be okay,” but what exactly does this mean, and how do we best navigate our (or our loved ones’) painful seasons?
Whether we’re the ones suffering — or witnessing others struggle — how do we identify and manage those times when things “aren’t right”? Is it possible to detect someone’s pain if they’re unable or unwilling to show it? How can we know if someone’s struggling? What kind of help can we offer? And, what kinds of resources exist?
I’m not a mental health expert, but I’ve endured periods of depression and anxiety, and I’ve written many times about my experiences.
And, the best way I know to approach tough subjects is to face them with honesty, transparency, and compassion. So, I’ve dug into my archives and found 9 pieces I wrote that were all inspired by having survived some incredibly difficult times.
The key word is “survived”. I held on to hope. I held on because I realized I was not as alone as my brain tried to convince me I was.
It’s my hope that, by resharing some pieces I’ve written in the past, I might help someone who may be struggling now in silence. I’ve struggled in that silent place, too. And, one of the ways I found my way out was to open up — and I did just that in these pieces:
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org
988 has been designated as the new three-digit dialing code that will route callers to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The number replaces 1-888-628-9454, though the previous number will always remain available to people in emotional distress or suicidal crisis.
Very kind! 🙏🏼
Great piece...
We need to laugh more... not at each other but at ourselves.