Roseanna went to counseling for one year, which helped her tremendously. She not only developed skills to cope with and overcome her mental hurdles but also realized how much of her reactions were based on anxiety. Now, with the help of anxiety medication, she’s able to move through life in a healthier way and take actions that aren’t based on fear.

She shares, “Just because we may need additional support with something, there is nothing about that which makes you bad or less valuable as a person.”

Melissa has struggled with mental health issues since 1993, but it wasn’t until 24 years later that she found a psychiatrist and counselor who truly supported her. Melissa’s son Austin also faced mental health challenges, including schizophrenia, and finding help for him was just as difficult. Melissa lost Austin in 2018, but today she is continuing to receive counseling and TMS treatments while leading a support group at church. With the help of her support team, Melissa is becoming the best version of herself.

She shares, “We all have hard times in life. If you can identify the root cause of your insecurity, fear, anxiety or anger, you will experience peace, freedom and joy.”

Valerie received one-on-one counseling through Lifeologie during 2020, a tough year for all of us. At the time, she thought her new dog was the source of her stress. But once she began counseling, Valerie realized there were many other things in her life that she’d compartmentalized and dismissed. Taking the step to prioritize her mental health was exactly what she needed.

She shares, “You have nothing to lose and a lot to potentially gain. Showing up is half the battle.”

Joycie and her husband used to be afraid to admit their marital challenges to others, so they worked hard to pretend that everything was okay. When they finally told a friend what was going on, they initially felt embarrassed. But that feeling was quickly replaced with hope when they realized that they weren’t the only ones struggling. That friend helped connect them to a marriage counselor, where they had a positive experience and are better for it.

She shares, “Getting help from a professional helped us learn better communication and problem-solving.”

Before Joan was diagnosed with generalized anxiety 23 years ago, she didn’t know what was happening to her body—physically or emotionally. Joan believed in the power of prayer, but she also knew that sometimes we all need a little more help. In addition to her faith and trust in God, she saw God work in other ways. She finally experienced emotional healing when she started both counseling and anxiety medication.

She shares, “Through my experience, God has allowed me to relate to and help others experiencing similar mental health challenges. For that I’m eternally grateful!”

Chris was diagnosed with hyperactivity at an early age, but it was later discovered to be ADHD. He’s addressed both his ADHD and PTSD with professional support from therapy and emotional/spiritual support through Chase Oaks’ men’s groups. Today, he would tell his younger self to take control early and get help professionally, rather than trying to deal with childhood trauma and ADHD alone.

He shares, “There is no shame in having problems—in fact it’s a natural part of development. Facing our pain (through therapy and support from others) and sharing it is the answer to being set free from it.”

For so many of us, the idea of medication for mental health feels extreme, or even scary. But it shouldn’t be. In Nancy’s situation, counseling was helpful, but she didn’t feel like her best self until she found the right anti-depressant medication. It allowed her to restore her serotonin to a level where she could manage her depression and anxiety and, ultimately, overcome unhealthy thought patterns.

She shares, “Seeking mental health support is something that can transform your life and allow you to become the person you were meant to be. There is no need to live in distress. You can live a joyful life.”

As a licensed mental health counselor, Hsin-Chun sees the importance of counseling firsthand. It doesn’t just apply to her clients, though. She makes her own mental health a priority and goes to personal counseling so that she can hold space for her clients. She has realized that seeking mental health support takes courage and bravery.

She shares, “It’s okay to talk to someone about our mental health. It’s scary, but we will be fine.”

In trying to care for others, we can neglect caring for ourselves. When Fran’s son was diagnosed with a bipolar disorder, Fran exhausted herself trying to support him and eventually developed depression. She was ashamed, thinking she failed her son. Counseling was the answer for them both.

She shares, “I would do anything to avoid watching my child suffer, and often times that meant doing things that caused him harm. Counseling is so important to avoid mistakes I’ve made out of love.”

Checking in on our physical health feels obvious, but what about our mental health? Byron is a firm believer that everyone needs checkups, tune-ups and assistance to operate smoothly, and counseling is one of the ways to do that. Byron has witnessed the benefit of his personal counseling experience not only in his own life, but also in his ability to connect with friends and family who are struggling.

He shares, “Mental health support is just one of all these many areas that are critical to being able to live into our full potential of John 10:10.”

Beth is a wife and parent of family members who deal with autism, severe depression, anxiety, OCD and more. She and her family seek out services wherever possible to maintain a level of support. Beth has been seeing her therapist for almost three years, which has helped her process past trauma in a healthy way. Now, Beth sees herself growing internally.

She shares, “Even if I had to copay for therapy, it would still be worth it. I’m worth it. My mental health is worth it.”

Corey is thankful for medication and therapy to help deal with his depression and anxiety, but he didn’t find the perfect solution right away. Corey tried multiple options before finally finding the right therapist and medication for his situation. Now, he has a balanced approach of cleaner eating, exercise, medication, and one-on-one talk therapy, all of which help his mental health.

He shares, “Be patient with yourself and the process. Where possible, surround yourself with people who support and listen to the observations you are identifying to help with the progress.”

Jill was diagnosed with a bipolar disorder and has been in therapy since she was a teenager. As a result, she’s learned different coping skills—one of which is cuddling with her emotional support dog, Pearl. She’s also learned the importance of a great therapist and the impact they have on creating a better living situation for someone.

She shares, “My best advice for dealing with mental illness is to not isolate yourself. Get support.”