Feb 8, 2024 | Mental Health Ministry, Stronger Together Support Group
Hello friends,
We’ve talked about forgiveness on multiple occasions, and each time it proves to be a tricky but interesting topic. Maybe that’s because we realize how important forgiveness is, but also how challenging it can be. This week we’re going to explore an important dimension of forgiveness in mental health: forgiving ourselves.
For inspiration, we’re going to watch a brief video on a rather stunning act of forgiveness…though not on mental health per se. As you watch the video try not to focus just on whether or not you would forgive the same way the woman in the video eventually does. Instead, put yourself in the perspective of the young man who admits he wasn’t ready to forgive himself. Can you relate to him in this way?
Our warm-up question for this week:
Tell us about a time when you felt overcome by something so beautiful or wonderous that it stopped you in your tracks.
See you soon,
Alex
Jun 22, 2023 | Mental Health Ministry, Stronger Together Support Group
When we think about being “burned out,” we might be tempted to assume it’s an issue just for people in high-pressure workplaces. The truth is, you can experience burnout from volunteerism, family/health/medical issues, school, and more.
Of course we want to prevent burnout wherever possible, but just as importantly we want to find healthy ways to bounce back from burnout when it inevitably affects us. In this week’s conversation we’ll watch a video together to understand burnout better and how it differs from stress, and then talk about how we help ourselves and each other recover. Some things to think about between now and then:
- What did we use to call “burnout” before the term became commonplace?
- What cues do you look for in your own life to know when you’re at risk of being burnt out?
- Have you ever felt like you’re on a recurring cycle of feeling burnt out, taking a break to recover, and then getting burnt out again?
- How do you help other people when you sense they are feeling burnt out?
Our warm-up question for this week:
When was the last time you trusted someone “blindly,” and why?
Apr 13, 2023 | Mental Health Ministry, Stronger Together Support Group
Hello friends,
We’re back to our regular day and time (Thursdays at 7pm) this week for Stronger Together, and I’m excited for this conversation because we’re going to focus on a very compelling and evocative survivor testimony.
We’ll start by watching a 10-minute
video from Sharon Wise, who recounts her experiences with mental illness, addiction, homelessness, loss, and ultimately recovery. Her story is quite moving, so we’ll take time after the video to process as a group and reflect on what we heard and how it affected us. This topic is all the more important to discuss as
our nation faces new and even deadlier challenges in the addiction crisis. As always we will approach the conversation with empathy, humility, and compassion.
Our warm-up question for this week:
Tell us about a time when you saw someone do something incredible…something you thought wasn’t possible, or couldn’t imagine being able to yourself.
