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Every day, millions of individuals are hurting. So many people are silently fighting an inner battle. Yet, mental health is in the headlines daily. And as a church, we need to be in the conversation. Jesus cared for many who struggled with mental health, and His example of caring, supporting, and healing is one we can and should follow.

Every week of this 5-week series, we will BEGIN the conversation at one of our in-person or CF Online weekly gatherings. Following each discussion, our hope and prayers are that anyone who is or knows someone who is struggling with mental health, including mental illness, can find the support and resources they need to obtain hope, health, and healing.

Click a topic below to find a starting place for resources about the topic:

Depression
Anxiety
Co-dependency
Grief
Addiction

IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING A CRISIS AND NEED HELP IMMEDIATELY, PLEASE CALL THE 24-HOUR ALAMEDA COUNTY CRISIS LINE: 1-800-309-2131 (FREE CALL AND FREE ASSISTANCE), AND THEY WILL HELP YOU. YOU MAY ALSO CALL THE NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION HOTLINE AT 1-800-784-2433. 

DEPRESSION

CF Online

Everyone will experience sadness in life, but not everyone will go through depression. Depression is not a choice. Yes, sometimes choices made could lead someone down that path. But, many times, depression can result from things out of someone’s control, and sometimes, it seems like depression happens for no reason. Join Amy Sargent (Pastor, LMFT, and M.Th.) for the final week of our Mental Health series. Amy shares her journey of depression and how the not far-off HOPE that exists can be experienced through Jesus and the Holy Spirit living in us.

Books

Recommended - General

Recommended - Specific to Depression/Suicide

ANXIETY


CF Online

Anxiety. It’s everywhere and in everything. Triggers. Fear. Worry. Panic. Big and small. When anxiety hits, our ability to “think” gets lost and replaced with a need to act. This week, as we think about this mental health struggle of anxiety and how it fits in the context of our faith, John Orozco asks the question, “Where is Jesus in all of this?”

Books

Recommended - General

Recommended - Specific Anxiety Disorders

Podcasts
Video Bible Studies via Right Now Media

Need a RightNow Media account? You can get your FREE login via CF by clicking here. 

CO-DEPENDENCY

CF Online

We all can struggle with co-dependency from time to time. For many of us, though, it is debilitating. In this week of our Let’s Talk About … Mental Health series, Chris Stockhaus explores the habits, the lies, the practical steps, and the truth needed to find the healthy love of self that Jesus wants for us.  

Practical Steps for Combatting Co-dependent Tendencies

  1. Practice saying the word no.

  2. When you start to think of what others need, stop and consider what you need first.

  3. Consistently acknowledge that you’re not responsible for fixing anyone; they have to do that themselves.

  4. You can’t make another person feel a certain way – and they can’t make you feel a certain way- you are in charge of your own emotions.

  5. Develop and embrace your own personality. Take up hobbies, find things you enjoy doing. Find and meet your own expectations, not other people’s expectations.

  6. Try not to judge others and try not to think others are judging you. 

Co-Dependency Groups

In addition to practical tips, we recommend you join a co-dependency anonymous group. We have some groups at Cornerstone, or there may be a great co-dependency group outside of Cornerstone but in your community. We also recommend counseling or therapy. There are professionals in your area who are trained to help you develop a Gospel-centered healthy view of self that will help you combat your co-dependent tendencies.

Books

Recommended - General
Sometimes co-dependency can be viewed as an addiction to relationships.

Recommended - Specific Co-dependency Struggles

GRIEF

CF Online

Grief is complicated. Unresolved grief can affect every area of our lives, from our mental, physical, and spiritual wellbeing. In this message, Pastor Diane Rutledge dissects the complexity of working in and through personal grief, supporting someone going through grief, and how Jesus' words and actions can move someone toward hope, health, and healing.

Helpful Ways to Process Grief

  • Support Groups - Attending a support group at a local church or hospice facility. Many support groups today offer virtual groups.

  • Sleep and Self-care - It may be difficult to find healthy routines as you are grieving, yet it is so important to take time to care for yourself and get rest. What is something you can do that you enjoy? Ex. Going for walks, take time off from work, listening to music, reading a book, cooking a meal, going out for coffee, taking a bath, watching your favorite show. Take time to do things that give your heart and mind rest but also things that you truly enjoy.

  • Say Goodbye - Perhaps you did not get a chance to say goodbye to your loved one. This experience can leave a void of unfinished business in your heart, soul, and mind. Here
    are a few examples of how you can take time to say goodbye:

    • Journaling and/or writing a letter to the one who passed.

    • Acknowledging the loss. Making a post on social media about the loss or writing an obituary can be helpful to acknowledge and process your loss.

    • Permission to move forward. After loss grief is a healthy and normal emotion to have but it can also become a companion that keeps us from moving forward (not forgetting) after our loss. Here are some ideas to help you remember and honor the memory of your loved one while also giving you permission to create new memories and a new routine in your life.

      • Find something that reminds you of them and place it somewhere visible in your home.

      • Light a candle in their place at significant holidays, anniversaries, events.

      • Remember them often in your thoughts and don’t be afraid to talk about them in conversations with others

Books

Recommended - General

Recommended - Specific

Grief

Infertility/Miscarriage 

Podcasts
Movie

ADDICTION


CF Online

Addiction is complicated. Not only are the causes, results, and impacts of Addiction challenging for an individual facing them, the ripple effect of Addiction reaches beyond and deep into those surrounding that person. Join Pastor Steve Ingold and Care Pastor/licensed Therapist Amy Sargent as they have a conversation around Addiction and how Jesus’ words and actions can move someone toward hope, health, and healing.

Books

Recommended - General

Recommended - Specific Addictions

12-Step Recovery

Pornography, Sexual Addiction

Substance Abuse/Addiction

Food Addiction

Work & Other Addictions

Family Affected by Addictions

Websites

Recommended - General

  • Start Your Recovery: Substance Abuse Resources & Support
  • Live Another Day: Mental health and substance use resources for people of color
  • Detox Local: Mental health and substance use resources specifically for the AAPI (American Asian and Pacific Islander) community

Recommended - Support for the Top 10 Addictions 

CONNECT WITH US


Our Care Ministry wants to support you during this time. We desire to come alongside you to offer hope, help and healing through Jesus Christ. We believe in the power of prayer and connecting! If you need prayer or are looking to speak with a pastor or lay counselor, we encourage you to reach out by filling out one of the forms listed below:

HOW CAN WE PRAY FOR YOU? CONNECT WITH OUR CARE TEAM

 

IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING A CRISIS AND NEED HELP IMMEDIATELY, PLEASE CALL THE 24-HOUR ALAMEDA COUNTY CRISIS LINE: 1-800-309-2131 (FREE CALL AND FREE ASSISTANCE), AND THEY WILL HELP YOU. YOU MAY ALSO CALL THE NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION HOTLINE AT 1-800-784-2433.