While I hope this blog gives you a lot of great information on mental health and various topics surrounding mental illness, there are plenty of other great resources out there that I believe could be great to look into! When it comes to our social and emotional well-being, I truly believe there is no such thing as too much support.
Apps
Headspace – this app provides meditations to help with concentration, mood, stress, anxiety, and more. There are morning podcasts, evening podcasts, focus related activities and movement activities. There is a free trial for 10 sessions and then a subscription is available to access more sessions and programs.
SuperBetter – this is a video-game style app where the user creates a Secret Identity and progresses through the game by completing quests. The quests are self-care activities such as drinking water or reaching out to a friend.
Pacifica – this app is based on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and users can track how they are feeling, practice meditation, set goals and challenges, and learn about relaxation techniques.
Some other notable ones are BetterHelp, Cerebral and Mindfull. There are many mental health apps on the market these days. While some of them are very good, others are not so great. It can be hard to know which ones to trust and which ones to avoid.
Here are a few tips to help you choose the right mental health app for you:
1. Make sure the app is developed by a reputable company. Look for reviews and ratings from independent sources to get an idea of the app’s quality.
2. Check what privacy and security measures are in place. You don’t want your personal data to fall into the wrong hands.
3. Make sure the app is easy to use. It should be intuitive and user-friendly.
4. See what kind of support is available. If you have any problems with the app, you should be able to get help from the company.
5. Check the app’s credentials. Make sure it is accredited by a reputable organization such as the American Psychiatric Association. Following these tips, you should be able to find a mental health app that is right for you.
Helplines and Mental Health Organizations
1. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – Dial 988
This lifeline is a 24/7 free and entirely confidential hotline for whenever you are in crisis and need an immediate support to feel safe, determine next steps, etc.
2. The Trevor Project
This foundation works with members of the LGBTQ community to focus on issues such as anxiety, depression, eating disorders, substance abuse, and suicide prevention for people under the age of 25. It provides important mental health resources such as crisis intervention tools, suicide prevention training, and other community resources.
3. National Alliance on Mental Illness
A nonprofit mental health organization that aims to provide advocacy, education, support, and public awareness so that everyone affected by mental illness can have a better life. It focuses on reducing stigma and improving the mental health system.
Books
1. The Body Keeps the Score
This book goes in-depth on the ways that trauma affects not only our brains, but also our bodies. The author explores how trauma can compromise a person’s ability to experience pleasure, engagement, self-control, and trust. Readers can work through finding their way in the depths healing from trauma.
2. Loving Bravely
This is a great book for anyone that is early in their journey of self-love. The author explains the importance of emotional well-being and growth and how the way we love ourselves impacts the way we love others.
3. Maybe You Should Talk to Someone
This book is very interesting for anyone that hasn’t gone through therapy. The author walks through their experience with being a therapist but also being a therapy patient. There are unique perspectives on lessons learned from therapy sessions and progress that the therapist has seen.
4. Get Out of Your Own Way: Overcoming Self-Defeating Behavior
An oldie but goodie, this book discusses self-defeating behavior as one of the most common reasons that individuals seek therapy. It describes self-defeat as a poison that disables one from achieving their best life, and shares strategies for overcoming it once and for all.
5. It Didn’t Start with You
This title explains how trauma can be intergenerational and offers tips for breaking trauma cycles. Its author, Mark Wolynn, is a leading expert in the area of inherited family trauma.
There is a plethora of resources out there, especially in this digital age. I highly recommend checking out the resources listed above and then also doing a deep dive into finding any other resources that you believe would be helpful. You can research and utilize some of these self-help resources while working alongside a therapist for additional support.
Commentaires