Mental Health Resources

Our mental health resources page includes organizations, books, posts, printables, and groups that have helped our family’s mental illness journey. Although you may find these useful, they do not take the place of professional help. Check back additional sources will be added. Click the logos to take you to the site.

Caregiver Suppport with Maree Dee

Embracing Faith & Mental Illness is a Christ-centered online community for people who care for someone with a mental illness. We have four unique ways for caregivers to participate. You choose what works best for you.

1. Sign up for the Monthly Mental Health Newsletter

2. Sign up for the Private Facebook Group

3. For Members of the Embracing Faith & Mental Illness Communi ty

4. Quarterly Mental Health Presentations

Additional Mental Health Resources and Support

Tap to Read Posts Related to Mental Health

Circles of Hope: Mental Health Caregiver Support

Maree is a co-founder and frequent speaker of Circles of Hope: Mental Health Caregiver Support. This group provides support, skills, and education in a faith-based environment for people who love someone with a mental illness. They meet on the 3rd Tuesday of every month at Verve City Church, Chino, CA, 6:30-8 pm (PT), in person and via Zoom. Click here to receive an invite.

Circles of Hope: Anxiety & Depression Peer Support

This group is a peer-led group for anyone experiencing anxiety or depression. It offers space to process thoughts, feelings, and stressors. These meetings do not take the place of traditional therapy and include insights from both the Bible and current neuroscience. Click here to receive an invite.

National Education Alliance for Borderline Personality Disorder

National Education Alliance for Borderline Personality Disorder is a resource for families and people in recovery. Education and Training for Professionals. Click here to visit the website.

Additionally, the National Education Alliance for Borderline Personality Disorder – NEA.BPD offers an incredible class called Family Connections. This course is for individuals who support someone with BPD or emotional dysregulation. It is a place where you will learn about the disorder and skills that will make a difference in your family. Please click here for more information about this class. Maree is a trained Family Connections instructor, speaker, and has served as a board member for this incredible organization.

National Alliance on Mental Illness

NAMI | National Alliance on Mental Illness is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. Click here to visit the website.

Furthermore, the National Alliance on Mental Illness offers an excellent class called Family to Family. It is for family members, significant others, and friends of people living with mental illness. Please click here to learn more about it.

Upcoming Talk | Mental Health

How to Help Someone in a Mental Health Crisis

Are you a caregiver for someone with mental illness? Are you equipped to handle a mental health crisis? Our knowledge and skills can become a little rusty over time. We invite you to join Maree Dee and her guest, Mike, as they impart valuable tips, personal experiences, and a crucial tool for handling crises.

When you register, you will receive a link from Zoom and again on the day of the talk.

Meeting Time Saturday, April 27, 2024: 9 – 10:30 am (Pacific Time) | 10 – 11:30 am (Mountain Time) | 11 am – 12:30 pm (Central Time) | 12 – 1:30 pm (Eastern Time)

Top Mental Health Posts

The Best Thing to Do When Life Is Difficult

When you don’t like your reality, do you ever find yourself squeezing your eyes shut so tightly you wonder if they might pop out? Or clench your hands with such intensity the force leaves indentations on your palms? All the while – wishing, hoping, praying—life could be different. When life is difficult, do you know…

When Waiting on God: How to Embrace the Delay Well

Waiting is inevitable. We will all wait for something in our lives. Sometimes it will be excruciatingly painful, like waiting on God to grant a miracle, answer a prayer, or let us know He is near. And other times, waiting will solely be a bother. However, knowing how to embrace the delay well is critical—discover…

Two Choices That Help in the Wait When God Closes a Door

Do you ever pray for God to close a door He doesn’t want you to go through? Then He shuts that opening, and you find yourself in utter shock and despair. It leaves you at a crossroads, usually in the middle of a waiting period. Quite possibly, you feel helpless and out of options. However,…

Do you ever think your marriage will fail or maybe even wish it would? I was ready to give up until I heard some wise words.

How to Persevere When You Think Your Marriage Will Fail

Do you ever think your marriage will fail or maybe even wish it would? There was a time about fifteen years ago when I was ready to give up. With the addition of unexpected circumstances, I felt as if a struggling relationship was too much to endure. Until someone wise spoke words that resonated and changed…

How to Run the Race When Life Feels Unbearable

Has life turned upside down on you, and it seems too difficult to move forward? Perhaps it’s unexpected news, illness, a job loss, or a project that calls for more of you than your current abilities. As the doubt creeps in, you wonder, will I fail to persevere? Find out a tip that has helped…

Finding Faith, Hope, and Love in the Unexpected

Are you smack dab in the midst of the unexpected, yearning for more? Although it may feel unlikely at times, finding faith, hope, and love is possible. However, we must make it our mission right from the start.

Why Embrace Gratitude in the Midst of the Unexpected?

Are you finding it hard to embrace thankfulness in this season of your life? Is your life riddled with pain, loss, and challenges – making it difficult to see anything worthy of praise? Maybe it has left you pondering: why embrace gratitude in the midst of the unexpected? I have been there too. Discover ten…

We are a family impacted by mental illness. It came like a thief in the night. Many friends walked away because they didn't know how to help.

When You Don’t Know How to Help a Family Impacted by Mental Illness

When you do not know how to help, what do you do? We are a family impacted by mental illness. It came like a thief in the night, robbing us of all normalcy and turning our lives upside down. We had no idea what hit us. Many friends walked away out of fear or not…

Why Are You Hiding from Your Grief?

Are you hiding from your grief? Maybe you don’t even realize you have wounds that need some attention. After all, losses come in many forms, not just as a result of death.

You may be wondering how on earth a Mom put the words blessings and child's mental illness all in the same sentence. I thought that too.

Blessings in the Midst of My Child’s Mental Illness

You may wonder how a Mom could put blessings and a child’s mental illness in the same sentence. I thought that, too, until it had become apparent that I had changed for the better through my experience with my children’s mental health challenges. Let me make it clear; I am by no means saying mental…

Additional Mental Health Articles

Discover the top posts related to mental health on Embracing the Unexpected | Maree Dee #mentalhealthblogposts #caregivers #mareedee Click To Tweet

A conversation about borderline personality disorder. To listen—click the graphic.

Books on Mental Health

Here are a few of my favorite books that have helped me along this journey with mental illness in our family. I hope they will help you too. Warning: Some readers may be triggered.

If you see a book you would like to order – click the title of the book. It will take you straight to Amazon, where you can purchase it. Check back – I will keep adding books.

Printables

Mental Illness: How to Help Reduce Stress During the Holidays for Loved Ones

Helping Someone With a Mental Illness Navigate the Holidays

When You Don’t Know How to Help a Family Impacted by Mental Illness

Eight Strategies for Supporting Someone with an Anxiety Disorder

Do You Often Feel Manipulated by a Loved One With Mental Illness?

Would you like to know how to help prevent suicide? There are steps you can take which may help prevent this tragic loss. — Do You Know How to Help Prevent Suicide?

September is Suicide Awareness Month

By knowing what to look for and what steps to take, you might be the one to save a life. Join Jim Lewis, Maree Dee, and her husband for this prerecorded presentation. #Bethe1To from the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

To view the presentation—click here.

To view slides for the presentation—click here.

September is Suicide Awareness Month. Learn how you can be a part of helping to prevent suicide. #mareedee #embracingtheunexpected #suicideprevention Click To Tweet

Suicide Crises Lifeline Number: If you are in crisis, call the Lifeline number at 988 or 1-800-273-8255 (24/7)

Crisis Text Line
Text Home to 741741 in the US.

(Click the graphic to read)

Do you think talking about suicide feels a little bit scary and uncomfortable? You are not alone! After all, most of us are not professionals in suicide prevention. We wonder—What if we say the wrong thing? What if our words make the situation worse? However, avoiding the topic altogether is not going to help anyone.

Are you willing to have difficult conversations? What about when it comes to someone contemplating taking their own life? Maybe it feels too scary and awkward, so you remain silent. Hopefully, you will join us today and find out how you can do your part to help prevent suicide.

When it comes to suicide, we hold onto so many untrue thoughts. Today, let's learn from Kayla Stoecklein the truth about suicide.

When it comes to suicide, we hold onto so many untrue thoughts. Some we have picked up over time, and others we have made up in our minds. Today, let’s learn from my brave friend, Kayla Stoecklein, the truth about suicide by squashing a few myths.

I am honored to welcome Dr. Michelle Bengtson as our guest on Embracing the Unexpected. She has a unique insight both as a professional and as someone who understands what it is like to want the pain to end.

During National Suicide Prevention Week in September, we will discuss the five steps to help prevent suicide on social media.

#BeThe1To

Together, we will help prevent suicide! #suicideprevention #mentalhealth #suicideawareness Click To Tweet

Are You Struggling with Thoughts of Suicide?

Perhaps you’re struggling with thoughts of suicide. Please know your life matters to God and to others. Reach out to someone and share your pain.

Call the Suicide Prevention number at 1-800 – 273 – TALK (8255) or 988

Suicide Loss Survivors

Suicide loss survivors: No matter how hard we try, suicide is sometimes unavoidable. While there are five steps to intervene, they aren’t foolproof. My heart and prayers are with all those affected by this devastating loss. It’s essential to seek help, whether it be from friends and family or professional assistance. You are important, and you’re not alone.

Click here to watch Kay Warren, co-founder of Saddleback Church and fellow suicide loss survivor, share her experience of finding hope and healing after the heartbreaking death of her son, Matthew.

We may never understand why God allows so much pain here on earth. But we must choose to trust God even when it feels like our world is shattered. Psalm 46:1 says it best: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”

Listen to a presentation on hope and healing in the midst of suicide loss. #suicideloss #hope #KayWarren Click To Tweet

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