Emotional Support Resources
How are you? Really?
This week I've experienced an entire wide range of emotions and I'm guessing I may not be alone in that. Similar to Houston weather, where you plan for all four seasons in a day, each day has reminded me I'm alive with the full human experience.
I'm sorry to share that one of the lows in my spectrum of emotions has been in response to news of a few people, one I knew many years ago and others I did not know personally, who have taken their own life. Suicide is so devastating and leaves so many questions. I pray that those close to these individuals are surrounded by supernatural comfort and peace.
These occurrences, along with an overarching heaviness throughout our world in this pandemic, have prompted me to share some resources below in case you or anyone you know are in need of any emotional support today. This list, while not exhaustive by any means, contains some suggestions for emotional support and outlets of expression.
Professional Counseling & Help - I'm a big fan!
If you are employed, check to see if your company has an EAP (Employee Assistance Program) for free or reduced-cost counseling
Find a therapist search tool from Therapy Den
Find a counselor search tool
Find a therapist search tool from Mental Health Match
National Alliance on Mental Health - information on free clinics, resources
Affordable Options for Online therapy
Support Group Finder - Mental Health America
Online Career Counseling - Accessible Career
Houston, TX Mental Health Practitioners: Root + Yoke Wellness, Andrea Mosley, Audrey Omenson
Miami, FL: Liesbet Pryke Nourishing Body & Mind Board-Certified Hypnotherapy and Lifestyle Coaching
Dallas/Ft.Worth: Connections Wellness Group
Social Media & Mental Health, including Resources for Parents - Social Media Victims Law Center
Suicide Prevention Phone Hotline - Free 24-hour access
USA: 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255)
Australia: 13 11 14 Lifeline Crisis Support
Canada: 1-833-456-4566 Crisis Services Canada
USA Crisis Text Hotline - The Crisis Text Line serves people across the United States experiencing any type of crisis and provides free, 24/7 emotional support and information through texting with a live, trained specialist. Individuals in the United States can access the Crisis Text Line by texting "HOME" to 741741.
Depression and Substance Abuse Information and Treatment
Mindfulness - Meditation, Contemplation
Scientific research includes benefits of mindfulness meditation as increased emotional regulation, decreased reactivity, increased response flexibility, less emotional stress in regards to relationship conflict, and improving well-being (Davis & Hayes, 2011)
Free guided meditation and contemplation experiences can be found using the Insight timer app (click here for tracks curated by our community member Tia Norman)
Free guided meditation,contemplation, soundscapes on the Calm app
Free Yoga with Adriene on YouTube
Free LoveHER guided Yoga on YouTube
Restorative Yoga and stretching on Peloton App
THEA Yoga Cohort - Donation-based yoga sessions in Houston, TX
Vision Journal page created by F. Reesie Reese
Create - Of course, you knew I’d include this one!
I share six ways to use creativity to calm anxiety in this blog post
While engaging creativity does not replace more formal mental health help such as counseling or medical treatment, a 2019 study in Plos One Journal found “artistic creative activities have been shown in a number of studies to be particularly effective in regulating emotions, mood, and mental health, and there is increasing use of them as adjunct therapies within health and also as recommended daily activities to support wellbeing.”
Creativity can look like cooking, dancing, singing, writing, doodling, gardening, playing with legos, graphic design, home decorating, rearranging your furniture, landscaping, and the list goes on!
Free Vision Journaling Prompts by yours truly:)
Bullet Journal® method by Ryder Carroll
Journaling Apps Article
How about you?
What would you add to the list? Any favorite resources or mental health tools you have found helpful? Email me to let me know!
If you are looking for a supportive environment in which to learn and practice creative tools to help process the ups and downs of life, join us in our “Hats off for Helpers” Healing Arts Membership!