Shalem Mental Health Network
Mental Health Matters
[5 minute read]TL;DR: Addiction can be an overwhelming subject for many people. There are various definitions that can be used to explain how addiction comes to be. The most important aspect to note is that addiction is a form of coping, a response to emotional,...
[6 minute read]TL;DR: Hope is a deliberate act, a form of resistance. Hope doesn’t erase pain, but give us courage to face it. There are four dimensions of hope: emotional hope coexists with lament, cognitive hope fosters agency and pathways forward, spiritual hope...
[7 minute read] TL;DR: The trend toward leadership characterized by humility and vulnerability is being challenged by many current leaders choosing a model of leadership based on a more dominant and distant approach. Both Dominant and Vulnerable styles of leadership...
[7 minute read] TL;DR: All relationships involve power. Power can be handled well to empower others or misused to control or abuse. In our partner relationships and families, we tend to handle power in either power-over or power-with ways, or sometimes neglect to use...
[5 minute read]WARNING: This article discusses suicide.TL;DR: When we come across suicide, either in our own thoughts, or in the life of someone we are close to, it can be bewildering and scary. Thoughts of suicide and feelings of despair can show up when the storms...
[10 minute read]TL;DR: In our fast-paced, productivity-minded society, it can be hard to cultivate practices of rest and balance. Deriving from the Hebrew word shabbat, meaning “to stop” or “to delight,” Sabbath is an ancient Jewish practice which encourages us to...
[8 minute read]TL;DR: Aging is a process that impacts us on many levels and involves a wide range of reactions. While normal aging comes with some cognitive changes, dementia is a disease that causes significant decline in cognitive functions, distinct from normal...
[8 minute read]TL;DR: Parents often wonder if they are doing it right and doing enough for their kids. While we often know what we don’t want to do as parents, it helps know what we can be doing to meet our kid’s needs and be effective in creating safe and healthy...
[7 minute read]TL;DR: It can be tempting to avoid discussing mental health in church, creating a sense of discomfort and leaving those struggling feeling isolated. However, it's crucial for faith communities to openly address mental health because it impacts everyone,...
[7 minute read]TL;DR: Many people are feeling overwhelmed, worried, or even despondent in today’s political climate and by the constant stream of news. Political stress can impact relationships, mental health, and even faith communities, leaving us feeling exhausted...
[8 minute read]TL;DR: Relationships need regular maintenance and at times, expert help. Many couples wait years before getting help, but earlier interventions can help replace negative interaction patterns with loving connections. Learning about how to navigate...
[4 minute read]TL;DR: At times life can become difficult and we may need extra emotional or mental health help. Signals that we need support include big feelings that are hard to settle, persistent thoughts that interfere with focus or sleep, increasing conflict in...