Actions for Families
If you want to learn more about what to do to help the life of a loved one and yourself, you’re in the right place.
Books to Find and Read
Looking for more information? Here’s a list of books that may help. Please share on our contacts page if you have other books to recommend to families:
- The Path to Joy by Chanen Cross
- Rescuing Your Teen from Depression by Norman T. Berlinger
- 1000 Gifts by Ann Voscamp
- Prayers That Avail Much by Germaine Copeland
- Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer
- Being Happy by Andrew Matthews
- Unlimited Power or Awaken the Giant Within by Tony Robbins
- The Power of a Praying Wife or The Power of a Praying Parent by Stormie O’Martian
- Positive Imaging by Norman Vincent Peele
- The 4:8 Principal by Tommy Newberry
- Jesus Calling by Sarah Young
- 100 Days of Faith Over Fear Devotional Journal by Lisa Stilwell
- The Bible
coping skills for families
Journal/Blog/Write
Write down your feelings and thoughts, challenging them if necessary--ask, "is this something a good friend would say to me?" f the answer is no, discard that thought. Create a blog. Write a letter and burn it or rip it up. Write worries down and put them in a jar and seal it.
Art/Drawing/Painting
Look at pictures you have taken; draw with pencil, chalk, or charcoal; or paint. Make clay or play-doh and sculpt with it. Find Art therapy ideas on Pinterest.
Talk
Ask for help, tell a joke, go for a walk and talk. Sit down near someone and tell them your feelings and thoughts. Call a friend and chat. Text back and forth.
Serve
Really listen to others when they speak. Learn to tell jokes to lighten the mood. Volunteer somewhere. Take muffins/cookies/cake to neighbors. Write a note to someone who needs cheering up. Get cards and send them through the mail or leave them where others will be uplifted. Serve at your church.
Drink Water/Eat Healthy Food
There are many links to gut health and mental helath. Find interesting recipes to make. Bake or grill something delicious. Fill up a water bottle and see if you can refill it three times during the day.
Meditate and Pray
Breathe deeply, close your eyes and relax. Bring to mind any happy or peaceful memory or place. Use a prayer book if needed for prayer support. Read the Bible or a devotional.
Seek Social Support
Hug a family member or friend, pet, or even a stuffed animal. Call someone supportive. Ask someone to coffee. Find an online resource of support with emails or social media. Text a friend. Go to a movie or play with someone.
Get in Nature
Garden, clean out the flowerbeds, mow the lawn, go for a hike.
Limit Screentime
Increased screen time is linked to both depression and anxiety--when we are taking care of people with mental illness, we need to be aware of what helps us and what drains us--because we need to be 100%.
Exercise
Play a sport, shoot baskets, lift weights, go for a walk. The more movement, the better the emotions and energy and in order to cope, we need to have plenty of energy! See if anyone has an old punching bag they are not using that you can put in the garage for getting frustrations out and getting exercise. Get on the treadmill.