Question 1

Depression Self-Care Checklist

Accepted Answer

If you’ve been through a difficult time, it is normal to feel sad. After all, you may not be able to avoid every instance of depression, even when you have healthy coping strategies. But you may be able to avoid triggering the worsening of depressive symptoms by (1.) taking any meds prescribed as directed, (2.) staying physically active, (3.) having a plan to avoid substance abuse or addictive behavior, and (4.) understanding what events, people, or places set off intense depressive symptoms in the past and avoiding them in the future. Check out this checklist that includes more tips for overcoming.

Question 2

How Can I Make Loneliness Go Away?

Accepted Answer

Overcoming loneliness is a process, not a one-time decision. Each day, it’s important to remind yourself of your worth. You are lovable and worthy of love, and you have people in your life who are ready and willing to affirm that. Reaching out to people for support helps a lot, too. Start with friends and family you trust. Let them know how you’re feeling. If you want to spend time with them, ask. People care and will do what they can to help.

Question 3

Mental Health: 5 Simple Ways to Improve Your Mood

Accepted Answer

Fighting depression can be tough, especially when it seems to take away your motivation. But there is always hope. We have seen great results when people develop daily habits that include (1.) remembering what and who they are grateful for, (2.) prayer and meditation, (3.) physical activity they enjoy, and (4.) talking to someone they trust.

Question 4

How to Cling to God in the Midst of Anxiety and Worrying

Accepted Answer

Coping with anxiety can be as simple as doing a hobby you enjoy, taking a walk, calling a friend, having some quiet time, or meditating. If your anxiety seems to persist no matter what you do, it may be time to talk to a doctor or a therapist to discuss more specialized treatment. One of the fastest ways to manage anxiety is by asking for support. Read more to learn about one girl's journey towards managing her anxiety.

Question 5

Mental Health Help: My Heartbreak Feels Overwhelming

Accepted Answer

Since our hearts get broken for many reasons, there may not be one right way to deal with heartbreak. In general, it’s good to admit how you feel and to give yourself time and space to explore your feelings. If you feel overwhelmed by heartbreak, you don’t have to struggle alone. Talk to someone.

Question 6

Suicide: Giving Life Another Chance

Accepted Answer

I’ve talked to many people, of all ages, and from all backgrounds, who have recovered from suicidal thoughts. And I’ve reconnected with my own sense of purpose after struggling through dark times. What helps most? Remembering people who love you, and things about your life you enjoy. Remembering there’s only one you, and that just your being you brings happiness to others. Sometimes, even with this encouragement, it’s still hard. If you are struggling with thoughts of suicide or find yourself making plans, U.S. residents can call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or text “START” to 741741. If you love outside of the United States, contact the International Crisis Center in your home country. Here are the reasons to Give Life Another Chance.

Question 7

25 Grounding Techniques for Panic Attacks

Accepted Answer

We’ve mentored many people with anxiety and they’ve seen great benefit from activities like quiet time, meditation, and journaling. Others enjoy getting out of the house for some physical activity, or eating a nourishing meal. Grounding techniques are also helpful for when you experience an anxiety attack. If you feel unable to deal with anxiety even after trying some coping strategies, it may be time to consult a doctor or counselor about more specialized treatment.

Question 8

Self-Care: Can What You Eat or Drink Affect Your Mental Health?

Accepted Answer

Practicing self-care is about nurturing your well-being. Eating well, getting enough rest, and drinking plenty of water are great ways to take care of your body. You also want to be sure you are caring for your emotional and spiritual needs, too. That could mean meeting with a faith community, meditating, or talking with a counselor. No matter what your self-care routine, nurturing yourself is a great choice.

Question 9

31 Tips to Boost Your Mental Health

Accepted Answer

Practicing is a great way to think of it. Doing small things to improve your mental health every day is a great idea. There are many ways you can start to boost your mental health every single day.

Question 10

Breaking Free from Self-Harm

Accepted Answer

Many people first began self-harm as an attempt to control and manage their pain. Often they are burdened by an emotional pain that they don’t know how to deal with and so they cover it up with physical pain. But self-harm quickly becomes an addictive behavior for many because it provides a false feeling of release without solving the problem or providing any true healing. Learn more from this personal story.

Question 11

How Can I Find Hope?

Accepted Answer

God’s love is unconditional. It stretches farther, goes deeper, and lasts longer than any of us can fully comprehend. It can be tough to feel connected to or aware of God’s love when you’re going through a tough time.

Question 12

Eating and Body Image Issues &#8211; Find Healthy Balance

Accepted Answer

Eating disorder treatment varies from person to person. In general, you need lots of support. We recommend staying in touch with your doctor, your mental health professional, and people you trust to help you in your recovery.  It is also helpful to be aware of healthy goals you can strive for to find a healthy balance with your eating.

Question 13

10 Tips To End Loneliness

Accepted Answer

Loneliness may come and go at different times in your life, depending on the circumstances. If you’re feeling lonely, sharing your feelings in a safe place will help. This could mean meeting with a therapist, a counselor, a doctor, or even in an online community of like-minded people. If you’re struggling to know where to start, make a list of the people you’re most thankful for and choose one of them to call or text.

Question 14

Why Do You Hate Yourself?

Accepted Answer

Deep down, many people hate themselves. Most people say the reason is their appearance, not feeling loved, or a failed relationship. It's important to learn where your self-hate comes from. If you have long-term, deep-rooted feelings of hate toward yourself, it didn’t happen overnight. Thinking through the parts of your life that affect how you see yourself can be useful in making things better.

Question 15

Disordered Eating

Accepted Answer

Because eating disorders are an attempt to control your body and your relationship with food, they can easily become addictive behaviors that make you feel trapped in a cycle of overeating, starvation, binging, and purging. But you’re not trapped – and there is always hope. Here's what it's like from Maddie's perspective.

Question 16

How to Manage Your Anger

Accepted Answer

Controlling anger can be difficult, especially when we or someone we love has been treated unjustly. Acknowledging your anger and having some healthy coping mechanisms in place can keep things from getting out of hand. You may try things like meditation, deep breathing, or talking a walk. If you don’t know who to talk to about your anger, or are worried your anger may cause you to hurt yourself or someone you love, we are here for you.

Question 17

The End of My Grieving Process

Accepted Answer

We’ve talked to a lot of people about grief and many of them say that simply having someone there to sit with them and listen to them share their feelings helps counter the isolation they often feel. Others say it helps to have daily time to remember the loved one they lost. And some have found solace in physical activity, spiritual communities, or exploring a hobby or interest. Everyone’s grief is different and you can find peace on your grief journey.

Question 18

How to Understand Someone in Grief

Accepted Answer

The steps (or stages) of grief include (1.) denial and isolation, (2.) anger, (3.) bargaining, (4.) depression, and (5.) acceptance. While these steps are usually mentioned in a list, they don’t happen in the same order for everyone, and some people may not ever experience all of them. The stages are a good tool for understanding feelings of grief, but everyone’s grief is different.

Question 19

How Do You Deal with Being Abandoned?

Accepted Answer

Abandonment is one of the toughest feelings to get through because of the sense of isolation that comes with it. One of the most helpful things you can do is share your feelings with a community or group of people you trust. Simply giving voice to your feelings to someone else can build a bridge that helps curb feelings of abandonment. Journaling may be helpful, too. Focus part of your journaling each day on people you love and are grateful for. These reminders can help you feel more connected.

Question 20

PTSD and Suffering: Each Person&#8217;s Trauma is Different

Accepted Answer

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can be difficult and exhausting. You may experience mood swings, feelings of heightened anxiety or panic, or flashbacks to traumatic events that make you feel like you’re reliving them. As a result of these difficult and often unexpected symptoms, you may feel isolated or lonely.

Question 21

6 Self-Help Skills for Coping With PTSD

Accepted Answer

Relieving PTSD is challenging, but not impossible. When your stress responses or flashbacks are triggered, do your best to get to a quiet place where you feel calm and safe. Try to breathe deeply for a few moments — in through your nose, out through your mouth. Helping your heart rate and breathing slow down will help you feel physically calmer while the emotional responses pass.

Question 22

Mental ILLNESS is NOT Mental WEAKNESS

Accepted Answer

The dictionary defines mental health as a person’s condition with regard to their psychological and emotional well-being. Mental illness, then, can look like a variety of conditions and diagnoses that negatively impact your mind, emotions, and behavior.

Question 23

How to Deal with Anxiety, You Can&#8217;t Just Toughen Up

Accepted Answer

Getting rid of anxiety is more about learning to manage it through effective coping strategies. There will always be something to cause us stress in life, but with the right support, anxiety doesn’t have to control us. Depending on how severe or prolonged your symptoms are, you may consider an evaluation by a doctor or therapist to see if treatment or medication would help. In general, physical activity, minimal caffeine, hydration, hobbies, quiet time, and meditation have all benefited people we have mentored.

Question 24

PTSD: What Is It and Do I Have It?

Accepted Answer

Symptoms of PTSD can include sudden increase in heart rate, rapid breathing or difficulty catching your breath, fear, panic, despair, and anxiety, with changes in mood happening suddenly after a stress trigger. The most common and pronounced symptom of PTSD is flashbacks, which make you feel like you’re reliving a harmful or traumatic experience. The good news is that there are plenty of effective treatments for PTSD that your doctor and therapist can recommend.

Question 25

Help, My Friend Is Cutting

Accepted Answer

When talking to a friend about cutting there are some very important things to remember. You can't just throw out facts and figures and think they are going to instantly be convinced to stop.  There is likely a lot more going on that is causing them to cut.  Don't judge, really listen, refer them to other resources and believe in them. Those are a few important steps.

Question 26

Why Do People Cut Themselves?

Accepted Answer

One of the most common reasons for cutting or self-harm is the belief that by inflicting temporary physical pain, the emotional pain or pressure will be released without overwhelming the person or burdening anyone else. If you’ve had these feelings or are struggling with self-harm, confidential help is available at no cost from TheHopeLine, including mentoring and resources for self-harm recovery. Freedom from self-harm is possible, and we are here to help you find it. Read more about What's a Reason for Cutting or Self-Harm?

Question 27

Using Your Anger For Good

Accepted Answer

Anger may seem like a “bad” emotion, but there are plenty of good reasons to feel angry, especially when you or someone you care about has been hurt. Healthy relationships are not free from all anger. Rather, feelings of anger are just expressed and managed in productive ways.

Question 28

What to Do if You Want To Kill Yourself &#038; Feel Suicidal

Accepted Answer

If you are struggling with thoughts of suicide or find yourself making plans, U.S. residents can call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or text “START” to 741741. If you live outside of the United States, contact the International Crisis Center in your home country. Additionally, these four interventions could save your life or the life of someone you love when they or you feel suicidal.

Question 29

How To Help A Suicidal Friend

Accepted Answer

There are no comprehensive statistics about suicide hotlines, partly because their work is confidential. But talking to someone who is trained to listen and de-escalate definitely has an impact. Knowing we are loved and cared for when we are struggling makes all the difference. If you are struggling with thoughts of suicide or find yourself making plans, U.S. residents can call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or text “START” to 741741. If you love outside of the United States, contact the International Crisis Center in your home country. Continue reading for how to help a suicidal friend.

Question 30

How to Stop Abandonment Issue from Ruining Your Life?

Accepted Answer

It can be really tough to face feelings of abandonment, especially when they impact our relationships. Know that there is hope. Situations can change and relationships can heal. You show courage by sharing your feelings and owning your feelings and discovering why you act and react the way you do. You are not alone. You are valued and significant to many.

Tips to Understand and How To Improve Mental Health

What is Mental Illness?

What Symptoms Might My Mental Illness Have?

How Do I Cope With Mental Illness When Symptoms Are Difficult?

FAQ on Mental Health:

What are some things I should practice everyday that will improve my mental health?

Podcasts about Mental Health :

Videos on Mental Health:

eBooks on Mental Health :

Ask Dawson:

Resources for Mental Health :

Spiritual Perspective :

Verses of Hope

Free eBooks

Free eBook: Understanding a Relationship with God

Prayers

Additional Resources