A Resourceful New Year
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!
Wow! 2020 was certainly one of the more challenging years. I'm hopeful 2021 has health, wellness, and a more normal way of living in store for you. As you and I wait for this new year to start showing promise, there's nothing that says we have to wait to get our mental health off on the right foot.
Starting this month, I will be offering a mental health resource blog every 6 months. It will provide a list of both grief resources and resources that are applicable in all areas of mental health. Let's dive into your first resource blog!
Universal Mental Health Resources
NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness); they are the largest organization providing "advocacy, education, support and public awareness so that all individuals and families affected by mental illness can build better lives." (NAMI, 2020). Some of their resources include but are not limited to: support groups, mental health education (warning signs, symptoms, and the different types of mental health conditions), and a help line to answer any questions you may have and provide you with the next best steps. Learn more about this great resource at https://www.nami.org/home.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (800-273-8255); this resource provides 24 hours/7 days a week free and confidential support to those who are experiencing suicidal thoughts/crisis or emotional distress. Their website also provides other great educational and support resources. Find more at https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org.
Psychology Today is a search engine that helps you and your family find a therapist to begin your therapy journey. Start with entering in your city or zip code to get a list of therapists in and around your area. This list can be pretty hefty and may leave you thinking, "How do I narrow this down?" At the top, you can narrow your search by: choosing a certain issue (grief, depression, divorce, etc.) you'd like to address in therapy, finding a therapist who is in network with your insurance, type of therapy, age, gender, etc. Once you find a therapist that seems like a good fit, you can contact them right from Psychology Today; getting you one step closer to living a better life as your best self! Visit https://www.psychologytoday.com/us to find your therapist today.
Grief Resources
Center for Grief, Loss & Transition is an organization that offers a wide variety of resources for those battling grief. Resources include information and services around caregiving and aging and specific services to loss and trauma through their Center for Grief and Loss which is located on Grand Ave. in St. Paul, MN. Visit them at https://www.griefloss.org/.
Faith's Lodge: A Place Where Hope Grows; this is an incredible resource for parents who have lost a child or who have a child with a complex medical condition. They provide "a peaceful environment to reflect on the past, renew strength for the present, and build hope for the future." (Faith's Lodge, 2019). You, first, decide if you'd like to attend a parent only group or a family program; then select a program based on your child's age. To view the group/program options and to reserve your spot visit https://faithslodge.org.
Brighter Days Grief Center is a non-profit family-focused grief center "providing free grief support resources, programs and services for youth, young adults and adults who are grieving the terminal diagnosis or death of a beloved family member." (Brighter Days Grief Center, 2017). Choose from resources for adults, schools/communities, online support, and suicide loss support and prevention. Find all these great resources here https://www.brighterdaysgriefcenter.org.
Upcoming Grief Resources
Root to Crown Healing will be offering an art therapy grief group in 2021. You may join the waitlist and learn more about Root to Crown Healing and Cassie Sawyer, the owner and founder, here https://roottocrownhealing.com/groups.html#/.
Friends of the Angel in Maple Grove offers an annual Walk to Remember in May for those who are grieving; in particular for those who have lost a child. You may choose to create a brick of remembrance with the name of your passed loved one. To learn more about this organization and the exact date of the upcoming walk in May, visit https://www.friendsoftheangel.org.
This list only begins to skim the surface of all the mental health and grief resources available to you! I will bring another resource blog to you in July but for now, I hope these resources create space and offer direction for your grief journey. If there's a resource you're curious about, you would like to see in the July blog, or you offer a resource you'd like people to know about feel free to leave a comment or fill out the "Begin Counseling" form below to remain anonymous. You may also email me at bsquillace@bestselftherapy.net.
I wish you a Happy New Year
Here's to living a better life as your best self!
Brittany Squillace, MA, LAMFT
