7 Nuggets: Faith and Mental Health

Are your spiritual or religious beliefs hindering your mental well-being? For some, there seems to be a dichotomy between mental wellness and religion.  “Prayer changes everything.” “Mental illness manifests because of sin.” These prophecies will only further compound and complicate the real struggles that those whom live with mental health challenges experience.  Mental health challenges are just as real as physical health challenges.

Faith Without Works is Dead.

Churches and other places of worship should take a more prominent role in the discussion, advocacy, and action as it pertains to dismantling the mental health stigma. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), 1 in 4 Americans experience a mental illness. Thus, in any given congregation, you will have many that have experienced a mental health challenge.

A Candid Conversation

I recently had the opportunity to present on the topic “Faith and Mental Health” at Mt.Pisgah I.M.C. in Clyo, GA. Our candid conversation included a discussion of what mental health challenges are, what mental health challenges look like, and triggers of mental health challenges.

Are you ready to commence the conversation on role of faith and the church in addressing mental health challenges?

7 Tips to Improve Your Faith and Mental Health

1. Keep God first.
2. Forgive yourself.
3. Seek professional help.
4. Make the decision to be happy.
5. Engage in self-care.
6. Never give up.
7. Turn your pain into purpose.

Professional Services

As a psychotherapist, I understand the many challenges those experiencing a mental illness encounter including shame, a lack of support, and denial. You are not alone.

Destination Greatness also offers convenient, confidential online and telephone therapy to residents of NC, SC, and GA. No insurance required. Limited office sessions available in Atlanta, GA and Greenville, SC.

To arrange a confidential, online or telephone session, schedule your appointment online at http://www.destinationgreatnesspllc.org.  Or call 1-800-647-3345.

Testimonial

This young lady speaks from the heart and with God on her side. Give her your ear to receive a much needed word of encouragement.-Sebrena Holmes Gibson

For bookings, contact pr@shannajefferson.com.

3 Reasons To Let Go of Guilt and Shame: Part 2

Part 1 of this discussion of guilt and shame concentrated on reasons why women harbor guilt and shame which included: Past Experiences of Abuse or Trauma; Feelings that she has to be all things for everyone; and being Physically and Mentally Oppressed.  These reasons keep women trapped which will ultimately jeopardize her health.  Today let’s discuss 3 Reasons to Let Go of Guilt and Shame that increases the risk for women to experience morbidity problems of:

1. 1. Anxiety
   2. Depressed Moods
   3. Self-loathing

 

Holding on to guilt and shame can cause unwanted health concerns.  Guilt and Shame may appear that she is barring all things and keeping it all together to the outside world, but all the while jeopardizing her physical and mental health.

Feeling the stress and strain of guilt and shame can create health dispersing consequences that can be avoided.  Rise up women and take care of yourself!

Until next time keep the faith!

By:  Kristen Pettaway, MA-LPC Liberty University |

Clinical Case Manager Intern Destination Greatness, PLLC

http://www.destinationgreatnesspllc.org

7 Nuggets: Faith and Mental Health

Are your spiritual or religious beliefs hindering your mental well-being? For some, there seems to be a dichotomy between mental wellness and religion.  “Prayer changes everything.” “Mental illness manifests because of sin.” These prophecies will only further compound and complicate the real struggles that those whom live with mental health challenges experience.  Mental health challenges are just as real as physical health challenges.

Faith Without Works is Dead.

Churches and other places of worship should take a more prominent role in the discussion, advocacy, and action as it pertains to dismantling the mental health stigma. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), 1 in 4 Americans experience a mental illness. Thus, in any given congregation, you will have many that have experienced a mental health challenge.

A Candid Conversation

I recently had the opportunity to present on the topic “Faith and Mental Health” at Mt.Pisgah I.M.C. in Clyo, GA. Our candid conversation included a discussion of what mental health challenges are, what mental health challenges look like, and triggers of mental health challenges.

Are you ready to commence the conversation on role of faith and the church in addressing mental health challenges?

7 Tips to Improve Your Faith and Mental Health

1. Keep God first.
2. Forgive yourself.
3. Seek professional help.
4. Make the decision to be happy.
5. Engage in self-care.
6. Never give up.
7. Turn your pain into purpose.

Professional Services

As a psychotherapist, I understand the many challenges those experiencing a mental illness encounter including shame, a lack of support, and denial. You are not alone.

Destination Greatness also offers convenient, confidential online and telephone therapy to residents of NC, SC, and GA. No insurance required. Limited office sessions available in Atlanta, GA and Greenville, SC.

To arrange a confidential, online or telephone session, schedule your appointment online at http://www.destinationgreatnesspllc.org.  Or call 1-800-647-3345.

Testimonial

This young lady speaks from the heart and with God on her side. Give her your ear to receive a much needed word of encouragement.-Sebrena Holmes Gibson

For bookings, contact pr@shannajefferson.com.

3 Tools: Speak To Your Pain

Holding on to pain, anger, guilt or shame is the glue that binds us to the situation we want to escape. -Iyanla Vanzant

We’ve all experienced pain, disappointment, and adversities in life. Perhaps, it was the homegoing of a loved one, medical issues, relationship trauma, abuse, or financial stressors. Please know that your greatest adversities in life can fuel your greatest successes.

3 Tools to Speak To Your Pain

1.Acknowledge Your Pain

2. Write A Letter to Your Pain

3.Turn Your Pain into Purpose

Dear Pain,

You have no purpose in my life. You have to go!-DA

Co-Author Opportunity

Are you ready to share your story? Are you ready to take your power back? Are you ready to turn your pain into purpose?

If so, then email us at speaktoyourpain@gmail.com as we will officially release details on the Speak To Your Pain collaborative book project.

3 Reasons Women Harbor Guilt and Shame: Part 1

For many women being all you can be is a struggle and a burden that is too heavy to bear.  In a time when women are wives, mothers, single mothers, working outside of the home and have demands from every corner there are some things that may fall by the wayside.  When this happens it can be so devastating to women that she begins to harbor guilt about not being able to do everything that she believes is expected of her.  The shame of not measuring up can also eat at her sense of self.  There are several reasons why women harbor guilt and shame but today let’s discuss these three:

• Past Experiences of Abuse or Trauma
  • Many women have been victims of abuse.  Some have been abused from an early age.  The abuse could have even caused long-term trauma, or maybe the trauma was a witnessing of a horrible situation.

In these instances, women usually blame self for what happened.   The person who did the horrific thing has moved on but the individual who experienced it or witnessed it has held on to the guilt and shame of it.

• Feelings of being all things to all people
  • This is an area that many women also struggle with.  It is in a woman’s nature to be nurturing so she wants to do what she can to help those she cares for.  The problem with that is that everyone who knows her will call on her to fix it, serve on the committee, drive the carpool, chaperone, or whatever it may be.

Trying to help everyone is unrealistic causing her to feel that she is letting people down.  No one is able to be there for everybody.  That is unless you are Jesus, and I do not believe that you are.

• Oppression
  • Women have been told for centuries that she is not good enough, pretty enough, educated enough, tough enough and will never measure up to her counterpart.  Women have been let down, stomped on, held back, and giving up on to the point when she feels that she is not worthy of any good thing or happiness.

That is what being oppressed can do.  It can devalue everything that God said was good in you.  When women listen to what the world has to say about them instead of what God says about them then she begins to harbor guilt and shame.

Being able to understand why women harbor guilt and shame can be the first step in rectifying the problem.  For those who need assistance in organizing your thoughts Destination Greatness is available to help you sort them out.

Until next time keep the faith!

By:  Kristen Pettaway, MA LPC Liberty University |

Clinical Case Manager Intern Destination Greatness, PLLC

 

 

http://www.destinationgreatnesspllc.org

 

5 Tips to Overcome The Monday Blues

By: Kristen Pettaway, MA LPC Liberty University | Clinical Case Manager Intern Destination Greatness, PLLC

(growing4life.net, 2017)

Have you heard of the Monday blues?  The Monday blues may be triggered by returning to the routine of life after experiencing an awesome weekend.  Other Monday blues can be triggered by not obtaining enough sunlight.  It happens during the cold winter months when the days are shorter and we stay indoors longer.

The Monday blues can happen to anyone at any time.  Students working on a school paper all weekend without taking a break, a stay at home mother with no adult interactions, the retired person with nothing to do, even the elderly experience the Monday blues.

The Monday blues are common as life becomes mundane.  However, if the Monday blues last for several days or even several weeks then you may be experiencing depression.  Depression can also happen to anyone at any time.  If you are unable to shake the sad, blue, drab, low-spirited feelings, or experience feelings or thoughts of suicide, you should seek professional help.

The most important thing to do is to avoid falling deeper into depression by withdrawing from the world.  Even though it may be difficult to resist becoming isolated, the best medicine for depression is to get out and to get active. Hebrews 10:24-25 reminds us to consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another and all the more as you see the Day approaching.  Look to the Lord and seek His face always (1 Chronicles 16:11) and stay in fellowship with others for encouragement.

Finally, to help combat depression individuals should eat clean healthy foods, maintain a regular exercise program, let friends and family help where they can, stay connected, and stay inspired.  Individuals experiencing Major Depression may also need the assistance of medication.  A healthy mind, body and spirit help are tools to combat bouts of depression.

Until next time aim for your Destiny!

Destination Greatness is a mental health and substance abuse psychotherapy agency dedicated to assisting individuals and families in maximizing their level of functioning on all life domains in pursuit of Greatness. Destination Greatness provides individuals and families with the opportunity to live more fulfilling and meaningful lives. Destination Greatness strives to enrich each individual and family through greater self-awareness, focus on strengths, and belief in a greater destiny.

http://www.destinationgreatnesspllc.org

 

References

Bible Gateway. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.biblegateway.com/

growing4life.net. (2017, September 26). Stormy blue sky. Retrieved from Bing.com: https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=stormy+blue+sky&qpvt=stormy+blue+sky

 

7 Nuggets: Faith and Mental Health

Are your spiritual or religious beliefs hindering your mental well-being? For some, there seems to be a dichotomy between mental wellness and religion.  “Prayer changes everything.” “Mental illness manifests because of sin.” These prophecies will only further compound and complicate the real struggles that those whom live with mental health challenges experience.  Mental health challenges are just as real as physical health challenges.

Faith Without Works is Dead.

Churches and other places of worship should take a more prominent role in the discussion, advocacy, and action as it pertains to dismantling the mental health stigma. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), 1 in 5 Americans experience a mental illness. Thus, in any given congregation, you will have many that have experienced a mental health challenge.

A Candid Conversation

I recently had the opportunity to present on the topic “Faith and Mental Health” at Mt.Pisgah I.M.C. in Clyo, GA. Our candid conversation included a discussion of what mental health challenges are, what mental health challenges look like, and triggers of mental health challenges.

Are you ready to commence the conversation on role of faith and the church in addressing mental health challenges?

7 Tips to Improve Your Faith and Mental Health

1. Keep God first.
2. Forgive yourself.
3. Seek professional help.
4. Make the decision to be happy.
5. Engage in self-care.
6. Never give up.
7. Turn your pain into purpose.

Professional Services

As a psychotherapist, I understand the many challenges those experiencing a mental illness encounter including shame, a lack of support, and denial. You are not alone.

Destination Greatness also offers convenient, confidential online and telephone therapy to residents of NC, SC, and GA. No insurance required. Limited office sessions available in Atlanta, GA and Greenville, SC.

To arrange a confidential, online or telephone session, schedule your appointment online at http://www.destinationgreatnesspllc.org.

Testimonial

This young lady speaks from the heart and with God on her side. Give her your ear to receive a much needed word of encouragement.-Sebrena Holmes Gibson

For speaking engagements, contact pr@shannajefferson.com.