Clarity Conversations for Parents of Teens Struggling w/ Substance Abuse

Gail Embt of "Break the Vape" will be offering Clarity Conversations for parents of teens struggling with substance use. They will be small virtual groups of 5-7 people, where parents will bring a challenge or issue they are currently struggling with. Leaders will walk them through the process of exploration and understanding and then brainstorm possible solutions and options for them. Feel free to reach out to her Gail.E@breakthevape.com

Fore more information on Break the Vape, check out their site: https://www.breakthevape.com/about

Guest UserSeptember 22, 2020mental health resources

Covid-19 and Your Mental Health

Click this link for a helpful infographic of simple ways to take care of ourselves in the midst of the pandemic. Infographic created by the Community Services Board of Fairfax County.

Guest UserSeptember 17, 2020mental health resources

Managing Stress and Promoting Positive Mental Health

Managing stress and promoting positive mental health during COVID-19 quarantine – The Fairfax County Emergency Information Blog spotlights ways everyone can promote positive mental health during COVID-19. Learn about resources for managing stress for adults and children, ways to prevent stigma, and how to stay informed.

Guest UserSeptember 10, 2020mental health resources

Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton addresses Suicide Awareness

A compassionate message from Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton about suicide is as relevant today as ever. View it now and remember that God, Emmanuel, is with us at all times.

Guest UserSeptember 10, 2020mental health resources

Fairfax County Emergency Line for Crisis Stabilization

Fairfax County has an emergency line for crisis stabilization of those with intellectual and developmental disabilities:

REACH 24-Hour Crisis and Referral Line – 855-897-8278

Guest UserSeptember 10, 2020mental health resources

NAMINova Covid-19 Resource Guide

We recognize the importance of continuing to provide support to our community during this troubling and uncertain time. While working on adjusting our programs to meet social-distancing standards, we gathered some resources to help keep you safe. https://www.nami-northernvirginia.org/naminova-covid-19-resource-guide.html

Guest UserSeptember 8, 2020mental health resources

When Is It Time to Seek Professional Help for My Child?

When is it time to get additional help? This is a question a lot of parents are asking when thinking of whether their child’s behavior and emotions are par for the course, or an indicator of a larger need. In a time like this, it’s hard to know for sure what we should do. Two of our Mental Health Partners: school psychologists Megan and Allie, give some tips on when it might be time to seek additional help.

Guest UserAugust 11, 2020Children, TLDR, Mental Health Team, mental health resources

TLDR (Too Long, Didn't Read) Screen Time and Kids (with grace)

This article provides helpful information if you are a parent who is struggling to strike a balance with screen time for their kids. Michelle Galdames-Henry offers a summary for you…

Kids and adults depend on their screens now more than ever for communication and learning. We are at a crossroads because kids need screens, but we also know some of the negative affects of being on them too much…

Guest UserJune 2, 2020TLDR, Mental Health Team, Children, Families, Abiding Youth

TLDR (too long, didn't read): This is Your Brain on Stress, By Karen Johnson

Karen Johnson, MSW, LCSW, and member of Abiding Presence, uses her expertise to summarize a video by a leading researcher in the effects of stress and trauma on the brain. Karen Johnson worked over 5 years as the director of trauma-informed services for the National Council for Behavioral Health in Washington D.C. and 19 years in behavioral health, community services, and child welfare at SaintA in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She currently provides consulting services through her business: Trauma-Informed Lens Consulting.

“…During this time of COVID-19, one of my go-to resources is Dr. Bruce Perry, a physician and neuroscientist who researches how our brain and body are impacted by stress, distress and trauma… In this blog I summarize a recent Dr. Perry recording: Understanding State-dependent Functioning… When we are threatened, we start to change the way we think, feel and behave. The more threatened we are, the more we shut down the thinking part of our brain, and default to our brainstem, or our survival brain… This explains why in our current circumstances we are often emotionally and physically exhausted.”

Guest UserMay 21, 2020TLDR, Mental Health Team, mental health resources

The Voice of Truth

Dan Powell shares his thoughts as he mulls the story of Peter walking towards Jesus on the stormy waves…

I don’t know how many people are familiar with Casting Crowns and their song “Voice of Truth,” but the lyrics focus on the story from Matthew 14 where Jesus walks on water. He walks across the lake towards his disciples… Peter realizes he is seeing Jesus and not some apparition walking across the stormy lake… Peter asks to Jesus to command him to get out of the boat… After the first few steps, Peter stops looking towards Jesus and starts looking at the waves and feeling the strong wind. He immediately begins to sink…

Man, do I relate to Peter. I am afraid. I doubt. I am afflicted with anxiety and guilt. I want to have faith. I want to trust and be confident.

Guest UserMay 11, 2020AbidingStories

Mental Health Awareness Month- Connection is Key

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. I think it’s almost like saying March was Virus Awareness Month. I feel like saying “I think we’re well aware, thanks!”

What do we need now? We are all acutely aware that our mental health requires more effort now.

Right now, we really need to focus on the most basic of needs: food, light, water, shelter. Humans are intrinsically relational, it’s a huge part of what makes us human. I would say our relational nature is a key aspect of the image of God in us. We are created to connect. So I would add to that basic list: connection.

Guest UserMay 7, 2020Mental Health Team, Mental Health Awareness Month, AbidingStories

Blessed Are the Flexible, They Shall Not Get Bent Out of Shape

TLDR (Too Long Didn’t Read) Version

In the coming weeks on Thursdays, we will publish TLDR (too long, didn’t read) summaries. These will reference books, articles, and other resources that are great- but too long! I know I have a hard time focusing for a long time on anything these days, and I thought perhaps this community could use some help in getting great information, but have someone else do the work of sifting out the good stuff! Enjoy, and let us know what you are interested in having shortened for you! -Sarah Snow

This week’s TLDR is brought to you by Pastor Joe

“The human capacity for burden is like bamboo, far more flexible than you’d ever believe at first glance.” - Jodi Picoult

Tips on Resiliency and Health in Tough Times

Guest UserApril 30, 2020TLDR, Mental Health Team

Been There, Done That

A member of Abiding Presence, Mary Grace, is currently experiencing her second time of quarantine in her life. The first time was when she was 14 years old. She spent nine months in her room, with the exception of Christmas Eve when her father carried her downstairs to see the Christmas tree.

Guest UserApril 27, 2020AbidingStories