If I asked you to tell me five things that keep you physically healthy, you could probably list them with no trouble. Less sugar in your tea; more veg on your plate; more walk and less car; more water; less beer (or is this just me?). However, if I asked you to tell me five things proven by scientists to keep you mentally healthy, would you know how to respond?
It’s not that the evidence is lacking, rather this is something we tend not to think about much – until the wheels come off and it’s a bit late. So here is a practical guide – full of tips, good habits and basic facts - that will help you keep as sane as you can be.
Despite the ‘lid’ coming off emotions in the 1960s, most people are not that aware of what emotions actually are. We talk about them more, but is that talk effective? With the rates of mental illness rising, perhaps it’s time to get back to basics:
Emotions are normal. Though I’m sure many of the chaps would like the six-pack of Daniel Craig (as James Bond), we’d be unwise to wish for his ‘emotional desert’ ability to just brush things off. This is because emotions are our brains’ way of grabbing our attention about something really important – something a cold or logical approach might miss.
Emotions deserve a response. They are there to make us do something. If you are stressed, there is a reason and we need to find the cause. What are you feeling right now? What do you need to do about this?
Jesus had emotions. Which means it is okay to cry sometimes (John 11:35), say you love someone (Mark 10:21), be filled with joy (Luke 10:21), be angry (Mark 11:12-17), show frustration (Mark 8:12) and be overcome with sorrow (Matthew 26:37-38). Jesus gave himself space to let his emotions out; and in doing so they served Him, not Him them.
Identifying our emotions (and knowing what our patterns are) is the first step to emotional health. Spend a few moments, thinking of how many ‘mood words’ you know. Why not print off a mood chart and stick it on your fridge? Start each day with a reality check.
We all have different ‘personality types’ and so experience emotions in different ways. This is entirely normal and we should not try to change this. There are some wellknown personality ‘tests’ out there like the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI, www.myersbriggs.com). You can find free versions online that can be fun to do in a peer group; they will provoke plenty of discussion and you will learn lots about each other!
However, the MBTI tends to undermeasure something psychologists call ‘neuroticism’ – which, importantly, is the personality type most associated with anxiety and depression. If this is you, then it will be helpful to learn how to manage this part of you well, and the MBTI will not do that. Boundaries are important – read the classic book by Cloud and Townsend. It is good to know that neuroticism has a number of strengths too: these people are often sensitive, caring, good listeners and in people-focussed professions like youth work…
Stages of burnout
Mental health problems take time to develop, usually over a number of months. For some, familial childhood contributions are obvious; but even the person with the very best upbringing will struggle in some circumstances.
One good tip is to be aware of your early warning signs. Mine are a tension headache and a poor night’s sleep. If I have either of these for no reason for two nights, I know something is up. I ask my wife, ask God and take stock of what I am up to. Usually it is a matter of just saying ‘no’ to a couple of things, but it will save me problems later on.
The next stage is using up favours. Most youth workers rely on good networks and relationships. These will go through ups and downs, but they should average out, with you giving as many favours as you ask for and keeping a few hidden away for a rainy day. If your ‘favour equation’ is getting unbalanced or the reserve is running dry, then this is the start of a crisis. Good friends will also hopefully point this out – do you have these?
Then comes the first stage that is noticeable to others – a degree of burnout. There may be some snappiness; missed deadlines. Worse, you stop doing the things you enjoy – the very things that are keeping you sane. It is unhelpful for line-managers to be rigid at this point, because what is probably needed is a few days off, permission to stop a few things and more encouragement. Get this from elsewhere if you have to, and it is always good to have a support group who are independent from your boss.
Tackling things now will help you to avoid the final stage – a ‘breakdown’. Again, as a psychiatrist, I am not entirely sure what this word means. But it is a good concept; meaning this car is broken down, and is going to pull over on the hard shoulder until the nice man from the AA takes a look under the bonnet and fixes whatever is wrong. It is your body wisely telling your sometimes over-keen brain that enough is enough for a while.
Firm foundations
The Beatles tell us, ‘All you need is love’, but we all know it’s a bit more complicated than that. Youth workers in churches can tell themselves that ‘all they need is Jesus’ and to have more faith. But it’s not so easy; Jesus can seem far away and ‘Jesus’ can seem to be the cause of the problem. Others ram this ‘cure’ so far down our throats that we gag.
All this can leave us with the feeling that ‘I’m not supposed to feel like this’ (see a great book on this topic I’m Not Supposed to Feel Like This: A Christian Approach to Depression and Anxiety by Williams, Richards and Whitton, Hodder, 2002); and this can undermine our faith. However, if we go for the more complex answer, we can learn things about ourselves a stress-free life cannot teach. The Bible calls this ‘refining’, the world calls it ‘the school of hard knocks’.
We can rebuild the foundations of our faith, making them our own and not our parents, seeing Jesus as a brother and not a Santa Claus or Headmaster, sharing God’s frustration with disunity and inequality. This is also a time for being kind to ourselves, for being as generous to ourselves as we would be to others and for being patient with ourselves as we work this one out.
Five ‘F’s to help you stay mentally healthy
Friends
Classic English poet John Donne said, ‘No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main.’ We all need people, even those of us who are introverts. Aim for a couple of close friends and build these relationships slowly over time, with love, sacrifice and laughter. Aim for a handful of ‘mates’ who you see or talk to often. Allow many more to be at a distance; care for them, but don’t expect too much and don’t let them break your heart. And don’t feel that you have to get on with EVERYONE all the time – the Bible never says this (see Romans 12:18 if you don’t believe me!).
Fun
You’d be amazed at how seriously people can take the topic of emotional health. We hope that this edition of Youthwork is read in the relaxed style that it was created. We need to ‘get Jamaican’ on our emotions. If simply trying harder was going to work, wouldn’t it have done so by now? So, take some time out from the planning, the reviewing and the self-condemning – and have a bit of fun.
Faith
As a Christian youth worker, church will be hard to avoid – but it is important to keep faith alive in the middle of it all. Some things you might try are: a) listen to worship music and try some different styles to your usual, b) go to an early morning holy communion service (at your church or another) – God can speak powerfully in times of stress through liturgy and space, c) get away from it all to a conference, but don’t ram in too many seminars – take time to receive prayer and be alone, d) visit the Mind and Soul testimonies area (www.mindandsoul.info/testimonies), and e) go to another church on your day off – it is a day off after all…
Food
It’s hard to have good emotional health on a diet of chips and beer, just as it’s hard to have good skin. You know the basics – a balanced diet and all that – but now it is time to actually put it into practice. Look at www.5aday.nhs.uk for the science and some healthy meal ideas. Why not cook for some of those friends you want to make?
Fitness
Whether you enjoy football, ballet, swimming or long walks in the countryside, getting your pulse up makes you feel fitter, releases mood-enhancing endorphins and gives you something to talk about. Look at www.nhs.uk/livewell/ fitness for ideas, and www.sustrans.org.uk for the National Cycle Network (which has a funky iPhone app).
‘Alongside Companion’
One of my favourite descriptions of the Holy Spirit is the ‘Paraclete’ (Greek: parákletos), which is literally translated as ‘called to the side of God’. Some preaching can make the Holy Spirit sound like a carrot of ‘if you had more faith you’d be healed’ – and this just makes people feel unworthy and unready. Other preaching makes the Spirit sounds like a stick of ‘you’re saved and you’ve got the Bible so what more do you want’ – and this just makes people feel useless and inadequate. Neither of these definitions are correct.
Instead, He wants us to journey with Him through the good times and the bad, maybe even the sane and the insane; and he wants to journey with the sick as much as (or maybe even more than, Matthew 9:12) the well. This is illustrated in the well-known Footprints poem: there are times when He actually has to carry us.
This article is food for the journey – nourishment and principles to make us strong before the ‘carrying’ section comes. Now is as good a time as any to put in the preparation, to make sure you can hear the voice of the Alongside God for times of sickness as well as health.
What can churches do?
This article gives a range of ideas that churches can implement to make themselves more mental health friendly and helpful. Key Message: Simply for church leaders to accept and recognise mental illness and encourage people (Author: John Campbell)
Adrian Warnock - series on mental health
Christian Blogger, Adrian Warnock, has been putting together a series on mental health. Read a sample article from this series on a new book by Amy Simpson. (Author: The Mind and Soul Team)
Outside The Walls
I know a man who had to take some time off from his job in a church. A working relationship had broken down to the point of him becoming ill, experiencing a serious bout of depression... (Author: Dave Meldrum)
Transformed... into jars of clay
Transformation – the goal of every life? The special goal of those who struggle – who long to be transformed… But what is transformation? (Author: Rob Waller)
We don't want to talk about it - Suicide
We don’t want to talk about it. I’ve written a dissertation on it, and I still find myself struggling for words to understand, to help others understand...
(Author: Rachael Costa)
A Son's Suicide
I’ve heard suicide called giving in to being a victim. I don’t think that’s fair or true. It can feel in the moment like the only way of transcending the moment. That’s not to say it’s the right thing to do. It’s not. Of course it’s not. But... (Author: Dave Meldrum)
Help some of our emotions are missing!
I rarely serve up a strong warning on the pages of Mind and Soul, but I have to be clear that this practice is desperately misguided and has the potential to cause untold psychological damage to our brothers and sisters in Christ. (Author: Will Van Der Hart)
Suicide and Suicide Review
There is much we can learn from national studies of suicide. It does not take away from the pain of an individual event, but lessons that benefit others can be learned. (Author: Rob Waller)
A Sermon for A Suicide
Many leaders (including myself) have struggled to give a helpful sermon at the funeral of a person who has taken their own life. I hope other leaders may find this helpful.... (Author: Will Van Der Hart)
Suicide Survived - Living Life To The Full
Each Year, the 10th September is World Suicide Prevention Day. Read about some resources that will help you make a difference (Author: Cathy Wield)
(Not so) happy-clappies
That, as the hymn writer says, though things may get very, very dark, it is still well with my soul... (Author: Dave Meldrum)
Cake or Death
When looked at through the lense of the New Testament we see that to ‘Choose Life’ is to choose Jesus and to walk in his ways, obeying the command that runs right through the New Testament ... (Author: Rachael Costa)
Silver Linings Playbook
Bradley Cooper is a teacher returning from a stint in a mental health facility having been diagnosed with bipolar disorder; we find out early on this was precipitated by his violent assault on the man his wife was having an affair... (Author: Dave Meldrum)
'The Emotional Intelligence' Lecture Series
'Emotional Intelligence' is a four session presentation built out of the 'Mind and Soul Course.' It introduces core concepts in emotional understanding and provides a framework for further work. (Author: Will Van Der Hart)
Blue Skies Are Coming....Dealing with Postnatal Illness
Naomi Gilbert writes another excellent article on Postnatal Illness and how the church can respond. Personal, practical and powerful, this is one not to miss.... (Author: Naomi Gilbert)
Charlie's Mouse
Artist Charlie Mackesy challenges how we think about the love of God for us when we are in an emotional mess and nothing is neat or ordered in our lives...enjoy.... (Author: Charlie Mackesy)
Why the butterfly?
Think Twice shares the story behind its iconic butterfly logo and some personal insights into its journey into being.... (Author: Rachael Costa)
Mental Health Matters - CofE Resource
A new web resource to encourage the Church’s pastoral ministry in the area of mental health, Mental Health Matters, was launched today at a fringe meeting during this week’s sessions of the General Synod at Church House, Westminster. (Author: eChurch Blog)
Video Resource on Personality Disorder
A short Video and some information about this difficult to discuss and treat problem. Things are changing for the better! (Author: Rob Waller)
Stress - lets make some noise about it...
The 7th November is National Stress Awareness day - what are you doing to raise awareness of stress? (Author: Shaun Lambert)
I cant get up in the morning and face the world....
An article on Depression and Counselling for Christians (Author: Thomas Yap)
Be Still, Be Silent
The noise of depression can make it hard to hear friends, but in a place of silence we can begin to heal. (Author: Emma Mavin)
World Mental Health Day: Baptist Times feature
Read the Baptist Times feature on Mind and Soul for Wold Mental Health Day (Author: Shaun Lambert)
A Prayer for the Mentally Ill
Be Father Lord, when I turn to run away from your embrace; Catch me in your strong, sweet caress should I turn from the race... (Author: Anon)
The Gerasene Demoniac and Self Harm
Mark 5:1-20 tells a troubling story. A man violently self harms, he screams, he cannot be bound. He has a demon. Then Jesus comes. (Author: Emma Mavin)
Visions and Psychosis
A look at how to distinguish a vision/voice from God from an episode of psychosis. (Author: Emma Mavin)
Putting Mind and Soul into Mental Health Science
Western science privileges matter over mind, giving us not just bad science but also care systems and even a society that is at risk of becoming “soulless” (Author: Martin Seagar)
Deliverance Ministry in Mental Illness
What it is and how to do it - and more importantly how not to do it. An overview of the main issues and challenges and a suggested method. (Author: Rob Waller)
Faith, Mental Illness and Community
For those of us who are dealing with mental illness, coming into faith or maintaining faith can seem, without an instant miracle, like a mountain too high to climb or a journey to long to endure. (Author: Anon)
Dissociative Identity Disorder
We have had a number of queries about 'DID' and this article from the PODS website [Positive Outcomes for Dissociative Survivors] is a first response. (Author: Rob and Carolyn Spring)
Make a difference near you
One of the aims of Mind and Soul is to initiate and facilitate local support networks, empowering and engaging the local church and enhancing mental health services. This article gives four key steps (Author: Rob Waller)
Social Workers' Mental Health
Mental health consultant Mike Bush explains why trainers and employers must work harder to protect and promote the mental health and resilience of social workers (Author: Mike Bush)
A Quiet Mind
The Church has a wealth of tools, traditional and modern, at its disposal to meet the challenges of mental dis-ease and to find ways of being community that exclude no-one. There has never been a more urgent need for us to step up to this task than the pr (Author: Revd Eva McIntyre)
Clinical perfectionism
Slides and information from a talk given at the Scottish Christian Medical Fellowship day conference on perfectionism, and why it can be a particular problem for Christian doctors (Author: Rob Waller)
Mental Health and Spiritual Integration
A psychologist colleague tells me that mental hygiene is a lot like dental hygiene in that staying content and mentally/emotionally well doesn’t just happen, you have to put conscious time and effort into it. (Author: Heidi-Professional Christian Psychologist)
Diet and Mental Health
Diet can make or break your mental health. Read more about this and learn how to find a nutritionist in your area. (Author: Sarah Jones)
Self Harm: Roots, Reasons and Response
Introduction to Self Harm, its causes, and consequences (Author: Jonathan Clark)
What do you say to a work colleague...
Dave's just come back to work after being unwell with mental illness. Chad, his colleague decides to ask him how he is. How will Dave react? (Author: Rob Waller)
Focus 2011 Slides and Audio
Slides from talks at HTB's Focus week in July 2011, and audio to download from the HTB site (Author: Rob Waller)
Finding Happiness
For every 100 studies into depression there is only 1 on happiness. But is the first question we need to answer actually, "Does God want us to be happy?" (Author: Shaun Lambert)
Food for Thought
A look at our attitudes towards food... (Author: Rachael Costa)
Information about Worry
List of articles and information about worry - what causes it and how to get help. Some Christian, some general (Author: Will van der Hart and Rob Waller)
Helpful Downloads about Worry
Downloads about worry - rating scales and worksheets and slides, to accompany The Worry Book (Author: Will van der Hart and Rob Waller)
Audio and Video about Worry
Multimedia Resources to accompany The Worry Book, talks on worry and related topics. Audio files. (Author: Will van der Hart and Rob Waller)
Healing - a rich deposit
The Christian Fellowship of Healing existed for many years in Edinburgh until 2012. We have made available a large number of their resources on this page in the hope that you will find help, comfort and direction. (Author: Mind and Soul Team)
Public Minds Videos
'Public Minds' is a series of short films which tackles this head-on, presenting very practical advice given directly by young people, mental health practitioners, youth workers and counsellors. Developed by the leading charity 'Young Minds' (Author: Rich Smith)
Transformation in Christ, Healing and Discipleship Course
Teaching and compassionate ministry in a safe and confidential place to aid the removal of blockages to spiritual growth. Help for Christians struggling with emotional, relational, sexual issues, lack of self-acceptance etc. (Author: Randall Staley)
Ending Domestic Abuse - a Pack for Churches
The aim of this policy is to enable the Church to address domestic abuse both within its own community and wider society. Also to work through how to deal with domestic abuse issues in today’s world. (Author: Natalie Collins)
New Website Features
New website features for you to explore. Contribute to our online development and community (Author: Mind and Soul Team)
MindSet Audio and Slides available
You can now stream + download mp3s of the audio from the MindSet Conference last weekend. You can also get PDFs of the slides for some talks. (Author: Mind and Soul Team)
Restored's History
How Restored came into being - a global Christian alliance to transform relationships and end violence against women (Author: Natalie Collins)
Christian Leaders who are abusers
An article looking at the reality of abusive Christian leaders by 'Restored' (Author: Natalie Collins)
Headship: The Giving up of Power
A reflection on headship and Jesus' teaching (Author: Natalie Collins)
Seven steps to solving a problem
To learn a technique called Problem Solving, work through the seven steps in this article. This will work for any problem for which there is a solution to be found today. (Author: Rob Waller)
Healing and Mental Illness
What is the place of faith healing in mental illness. Can something has hurt so many be encouraged? Can something which has helped so many be ignored? (Author: Rob Waller)
Cities and networking
See the video from the start of the Telford Mind and Soul Conference. Do you know what is going on in your city? (Author: Rob Waller)
Alternative therapies
There is a wide range of alternative therapies on offer today. Some of the more common ones are acupuncture, hypnotherapy, homeopathy, cranio-sacral therapy and osteopathy. Do they help and should Christians pursue them? (Author: Rob Waller and Jonathan Clark)
Where do Christians go for help?
If you ask Christians who they would like to see, most will say they would prefer a Christian health professional, all other things being equal. But that is the rub - are all other things equal? (Author: Tara Gormley)
Prayer and Healing Research
Praying for people with the aim of healing is something Christians have always done, but is it effective and what does current research say? In this article, Anne Douglas summarises the current understanding and explores how local groups can develop (Author: Anne Douglas)
All about emotions
An introduction to emotions. What they are, why we have them and what to do with them (Author: Kate Middleton)
Dealing with Uncertainty
Uncertainty and doubt form a painful undercurrent in many peoples lives. Often the desire to escape them just makes them more powerful. How then can we find a deeper peace. (Author: Will Van Der Hart)
Words of encouragement
A list of encouraging Bible verses straight from God himself. He is able to help us because He understands! (Author: Christian Mental Health)
Psychosis and Hearing Voices
Psychosis and hearing voices are disturbing problems for both the sufferer and the person trying to help. Learn about causes and getting help (Author: Rob Waller)
16 things not to say
Yes, these have all been said! Yes, actually to people's faces! Try something else instead (Author: Alan and Amanda Stephenson)
Anger Management
Anger Management is a hot topic in psychiatry at the moment - not because anger is a mental illness but because the two frequently coincide making it part of the problem and hance part of the treatment focus. In this post, I want to (Author: Rob Waller)
Exhausted church leaders
Being a church leader is a real challenge and it is essential to realise that the task is endless, the needs definitely outstrip supply and the difficulties are persistant. The challenge of spotting and supporting people who are (Author: Will Van Der Hart)
Premier Lifeline
Premier Lifeline, this year celebrates its 15th birthday and has taken over 750,000 calls. However, the last few weeks has been a time when a shockwave has hit the Helpline world. The trust of the public built up over decades has been (Author: Jonathan Clark)
Eating Disorders Awareness Week
Each year Anorexia/Bulimia Care sends a campaign to churches and Christian organisation in order to raise awareness of eating disorders and increase understanding for those affected and their families. Last year together with (Author: Mind and Soul Team)
Mental Health Professionals
As a psychiatrist, I am always getting confused with a psychologist! This new resource explains clearly what each different type of mental health professional does. This will vary a bit in different parts of the country but (Author: Rob Waller)
BBC Headroom
www.bbc.co.uk/headroom is another great site from the Beeb. Full of information, stories and interviews [many by Ruby Wax!] it has lots on offer. my favourite is a little program to create your own moodscape - go on, you know you want to! (Author: Mind and Soul Team)
Bereavement due to suicide
Health Talk Online, the UK's largest online collection of real-life health stories and shared experiences of health and illnesses, has launched a new section that gives a unique voice to people who have been bereaved by suicide (Author: Mike Bush)
Eating Disorders - the reality for families
Anorexia, Bulimia, Binge Eating Disorder, Food Phobia, Food Avoidance Emotional Disorder? Since 1980 Anorexia and Bulimia Care has helped thousands of sufferers and their families care for and cope with eating disorders through the illness to (Author: ABC)
Recovery and Faith in Eating Disorders
Recovery is something you may find yourself thinking about a lot when you are struggling with an eating disorder or if you are caring for someone with one. Maybe it’s something you fear – or something you long for. For sufferers it can be both (Author: ABC)
The Church and Eating Disorders
Research carried out at events and conferences found that 90% of church members knew someone who was suffering with an eating disorder. 70% of them knew someone in their own church. The majority said that their church was not able to offer (Author: ABC)
Suffering from an eating disorder
Anyone who has experienced anorexia or bulimia can describe that tantalising paradox as it offers everything you feel as if you are looking for, and at the same time steals your life from you and robs your future hopes. One-sufferer describes (Author: ABC)
CBT for Anxiety
Anxiety has a myriad causes, but clinically can be divided into three pictures: A. isolated panic attacks [such as specific phobias], B. panic with in between background anxiety [such as scocial phobia] and C. constant background anxiety (Author: Rob Waller)
20 Ways of Staying Afloat...
Mental distress in whatever form it takes triggers a whole range of responses from people. When I ask a group of people to list any words, terms or phrases which in some way relate to mental disorder the list is surprising long. (Author: Jonathan Clark)
Stress - Friend or Foe
“I feel stressed, I am stressed out, I am under pressure, I just wish this stress would go away. I can’t cope with this stress any longer.” When people talk about stress it invariably comes across as a negative. However, I am well aware that (Author: Jonathan Clark)
Challenging Attendees
How does the church deal with people whose behaviour presents a challenge - to the running of services and the safety of others? We need to be wise in managing risk but also loving. This article offers a framework for managing and reducing (Author: Rob Waller)
Remembering Combat Stress
90 years ago, the armistice ending World War One was signed. We often remember those with amputations and scars, but the psychiatric casulaties are just as numerous. WW1 was when the term 'shell shock' became well known and today, though (Author: Rob Waller)
Worried Why
It true to say that at no point do we truly view the world with objectivity (that is how it actually is) instead we view it subjectively (that is through the damage, memories and beliefs that we have formed around our world-view) (Author: Will Van Der Hart)
Mental health bible study
This Bible Study is designed to be used in a small group, maybe as a way of introducing the topic in your church. Start by considering "What is good mental health like?". (Author: Martin Hird)
Depressed pastors
25% of Clergy time off in the Church of England is caused by depression - but no-one seems to be talking about it. In the February 2008 Podcast we look at some of the reasons behind this and what can be done about it. (Author: Rob Waller)
Mercy for eating disorders
Mercy Ministries have written this book as a unique approach to dealing with the root of many eating disorders. Contains many testimonies and advice on where to go for help. It is part of their 'Mercy for...' series. (Author: Nancy Alcorn)
Panic Attacks
I have had quite a few requests recently for information on panic attacks from younger Christian people so I thought I should have a go at explaining things and putting them in a bit of context - so here goes. (Author: Will Van Der Hart)
Unhealthy professionals
Should mental health professionals be 100% healthy? Should they have had a personal experience of mental illness? Should they have 'sorted themselves out before they try to help others? What does Christianity have to say about this? (Author: Rob Waller)
The drugs don't work
When the Verve complained the drugs didn't work, they were (I assume) talking about illicit drugs. But what about antidepressants (and other psychiatric drugs in general). (Author: Rob Waller)
Types of Christian counselling
There are so many counselling options available - how do you know which ones to go for? Most people identify three levels of counselling: support, counselling and therapy. This can be biblical, 'nouthetic' or person-centred. (Author: Rob Waller)
Seeing your GP
It is very common for people to go and see their GP with common mental health problems like anxiety or depression. We see two or three new cases of depression most days. (Author: Peter Davies)
Panic attacks
I have had quite a few requests recently for information on panic attacks from younger Christian people so I thought I should have a go at explaining things and putting them in a bit of context - (Author: Will Van Der Hart)
Obsessional confession
I was talking with two Christians recently who disclosed that they felt very distressed by they constant desire to ask God for forgiveness. (Author: Will Van Der Hart)
My inner eye
I have spent the last 24 hours in Newcastle studying anxiety disorders, in particular how people keep living according to their own internal logic because in some way this makes sense to them. (Author: Rob Waller)
When it gets risky
It can be very hard to know when you have done all you can and things are now getting out of hand. This article explains some of the key things to look for. (Author: Mike Bush)
Losing someone from suicide
There are a number of sources of help available. Start with this testimony about how one person came back 'out of the ashes' and worked through their problems - with God's help. There are also some links to helpful online resources and books. (Author: Mike Bush)
Depression symptoms
Depression can present with many symptoms. As a rule men tend to get angry to cover their grief and sadness, whereas women tend to get sad and tearful to cover their anger. Anxiety overlaps significantly with depression (Author: Peter Davies)
Dissatisfaction
Depression is a common illness in both general practice and hospital settings. Its severity ranges from mild to severe. The more severe cases certainly warrant treatment. (Author: Peter Davies)
Attitude to suicide
One of the hardest things to deal with when someone is suicidal or has died from suicide is that there are so many negative attitudes aboout the subject. It even used to be illegal until recently - (Author: Rob Waller)
Stigma
People with mental health problems often find themselves on the outside of society and rejected by friends. Why is this? And why this is not an option for Christians.
When the stranger says: "What is the meaning of this city? (Author: Rob Waller)
Solitude and being alone
Jesus calls us from loneliness to solitude. Loneliness is inner emptiness, whereas solitude is inner plenty. It is a journey through personal maturity to communion with God. Solitude exists in a tension of benefits and risks and is an elusive (Author: Rob Waller)
Stress and distress
Stress is about two things. One is force, the second is ability to withstand that force. The term was originally borrowed from engineering where it is a key concept in assessing the strength of metals. In medicine we tend to focus on stress (Author: Peter Davies)
Sabbath serenity
Most stress workshops explore the flight and the fight alternatives. And there certainly is a right time to do one or the other. Joseph ran from the seductive Mrs. Potiphar (Gen 39); Moses confronted Pharaoh (Exod 5-11). But there is a third (Author: R Paul Stevens)
Mental health of students
Students leave home, move town, lose support and friends and start a major academic challenge all in the space of Freshers Week! Some thrive, but many really struggle. Most will have some mental health difficulties throughout University (Author: Rob Waller)
Christians and Therapy
There seem to be so many out there... I mean, should I look analytically at my self, socially at my relationships and work, psychologically at my thoughts, biologically (with drugs) at my brain chemicals, naturally at my links to nature, exist (Author: Rob Waller)
Images in the mind
I have spoken to a number of people over recent weeks, all Christians, who have been troubled with intrusive thoughts. These are often sexual or violent in nature and, whilst recognised as the persons own thoughts, they are not the thoughts (Author: Rob Waller)
Multiple personality disorder
I was asked by a lady at a conference yesterday what my views were on Multiple Personality Disorder. This is a set of symptoms where it seems like there are two or more distinct personalities present within one person. It is called (Author: Rob Waller)
Counselling is painful
The process of therapy or coming to a true understanding of ones-self is painful, usually because it involves coming face to face with some stuff that we had been hiding from for many years. Yesterday I was reading John's Gospel chapter 21 (Author: Rob Waller)
Talking about your faith
When I first meet a new patient/client, I want to make sure that i have identified all the things that are important to them. I ask about housing, relationships, symptoms, etc. For a lot of people, spirituality is an important part of who they (Author: Rob Waller)
How to dismantle your father
I was listening to U2's great new album yesterday - "How to dismantle an atomic bomb". It seems to be everyones favourite 'music for the journey' right now. The first track to get my attention was track 3. Bono is talking about his (Author: Rob Waller)
Common problems
Here are some ideas for help with problems we have not covered in detail elsewhere on the site. This page contains extracts from another website - the Student Counselling Centre at Royal Holloway College in London [©]. They have written some (Author: Royal Holloway College)
Debt and Mental Health
There is a strong link between financial stress, debt and mental health. Listen to a day of teaching for Christians Against Poverty (Author: Rob Waller)
Shrinking the Inner Critic
In my work with clients repetitively traumatized in childhood, I am continuously struck by how frequently the various thought processes of the inner critic trigger them into overwhelming emotional flashbacks. This is because the PTSD-derived (Author: Peter Walker)
J.John's Worry Letter
Did you know that most people's anxiety is focused and preoccupied with 40% of things that will never happen, 30% of things relating to the past that can't be changed, 12% of things... (Author: J.John)
Christians and Addiction
This article was written for Artisan Magazine. Artisan is a forum for people working in the arts and media industry, "to simply provide safe spaces in different hubs around the world for industry people to come and get spiritually hydrated (Author: Rob Waller)
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