Just Chill is a student-led organization that allows you to discuss the situations you are facing, learn coping skills, and gain information that will enable you to understand how to protect your mental health. The six sessions will cover such topics as:
-
I Feel Like! - learn to distinguish between feelings and thoughts.
-
Decisions Decisions - how do we control our thoughts vs. feelings and make decisions.
-
How Important Is Mental Health?
-
What Is This Thing Called “Stress,” For Real, For Real?
-
I’m Not Good! - how do we express the need for help mentally/emotionally? Who do we go to?
-
Mental Illness - Signs/Symptoms & Resources
-
For The Long Haul = how does one maintain whole health?
Just Chill also provides support and information for parents, teachers, and those interacting with youth experiencing mental health challenges.
What You Should Know about Mental Health Issues
Just as everyone has physical health, we all have mental health.
Our brain is an organ just like our heart, liver, or kidney. Sometimes those organs become sick and do not function as they should. That is what happens when a person experiences depression. Things that should be easy such as brushing their teeth, become tasks they cannot do when their brain is sick with depression.
Neurotransmitters in the brain are like spark plugs in the car. When a spark plug misfires, the car doesn’t move or does so with great difficulty, and the gap must be reset. Likewise, when the brain’s neurotransmitters misfire, the person cannot function, so a reset is needed.
One may choose several options to bridge this gap of misfiring neurotransmitters. Whether it is prayer, medication, or therapy, the most important things someone experiencing mental health challenges need are love, support, and good information. This is what Just Chill is offering.
There is NO shame in having depression or any other mental illness! If that’s you, there is a reason for your depression and hope for your recovery.
Some common signs that our mental health is not healthy are:
-
Feeling very sad or withdrawn for more than two weeks
-
Trying to harm or end one’s life or making plans to do so
-
Severe, out-of-control, risk-taking behavior that causes harm to self or others
-
Sudden overwhelming fear for no reason, sometimes with a racing heart, physical discomfort or difficulty breathing
-
Significant weight loss or gain
-
Seeing, hearing or believing things that aren’t real
-
Excessive use of alcohol or drugs
-
Drastic changes in mood, behavior, personality or sleeping habits
-
Extreme difficulty concentrating or staying still
Intense worries or fears that get in the way of daily activities
What You Can Do (and Should NOT Do) When a Friend or Loved One Has Mental
Health Challenges
When a friend or loved one is experiencing depression, it also hurts us. We want to fix it and make them feel better. So how do we do that?
-
Tell them you care about them—speaking their love language, not yours.
-
Be there for them—a major challenge in depression is feeling alone. Let them know they are not.
-
Acknowledge their struggle and let them know it’s not their fault.
-
Show them you care. Ask what you can do to help. Cook a meal? Walk their dog? Find out what they need.
-
Encourage them to speak with a therapist. 80% of those who see a therapist have marked improvement.
-
Encourage them to seek medical help. Depression and anxiety medication bridge the gaps in the neurotransmitters.
The most important thing you can do is be there! However, be sure to avoid the following reactions:
· “Everyone has bad days” - depression is not just having a “bad day.”
· “Things will get better” - depression rarely improves with time; it requires medication, therapy, and prayer.
· “I understand what you’re going through” - no, you really don’t.
· “Just snap out of it” - if they could do that, they would have already. No one chooses to be depressed.
· “Think about all the good things in your life” - distorted thoughts don’t recognize the good things.
You can survive depression, anxiety, and other mental health challenges and live a productive life. There is help and support available – there is hope!
Need Help Now?
Certified Counselors and Therapists
Rapha Connection Counseling Services Lifestance Health
Donna McDowell Margaret Weaver, PhD
827 Fairways Court, Ste 204 275 Country Club Dr
Stockbridge, GA McDonough, GA
678-272-7841 770-474-8400
Fort Christian Psychiatric Center Paracletos Counseling Institute
Shaw Wendi Fortuchang, M.D., FAPA Dr. Lehome Bliss, PhD
770-376-6726 (office) 730 Ponderosa Court
www.thefortchristian.com Fayetteville, GA 30214
telemedicine office: https://doxy.me/tfcpc 678-522-5361
Organizations for crisis intervention
GCAL – Georgia Crisis & Access Line National Alliance on Mental Illness
800-715-4225 800-950-9294
Georgiacollaborative.com info@nami.org
Teens chat or text via app: MyGCAL https://nami.org/help
TRUE GOSPEL CHRISTIAN CHURCH
Text Wholeness to 845-76
justchill@truegospelcc.com
SAVE THESE NUMBERS!
• National Prayer Line 1-800-4-PRAYER
• Crossroads Prayer Line 1-866-273-4444
• Biblical help for youth in crisis 1-800-HIT-HOME
• Rapha National Network 1-800-383-HOPE
• National Sexual Assault Hotline 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
• Children in immediate danger 1-800-THE-LOST
• Elder Abuse Hotline 1-800-252-8966
• National Human Trafficking Hotline 1-888-373-7888
• National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799-SAFE
• Suicide Prevention: 1-800-273-TALK (8255), Veterans, press 1
• Text Wholeness to 845-76
