Menderist shares stories about how people turned difficult moments, days, and situations around. See the menu to choose stories in the categories of Relationships; Health; Work; At Home; and Outside and Around.
Special Issues: Family Mental Health, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Memorable Gift, Teacher/Educator, Year in Review
When youths are following a 12 step or other substance disorder program, their families or caregivers may benefit from resources that are structured along similar lines.
Menderist provides an overview of family and caregiver help from leading groups whose programs are based on 12 step or other approaches: including Al-Anon, Nar-Anon, Smart Recovery and Learn2Cope.
A parent reflects on years-long physical and mental health challenges until the successful diagnosis and treatment of a son’s extreme food allergies.
“The doctor’s words, compounded by the erratic nature of food allergies … added to the pile of stress and confusion that comes with fear of the unknown….”
A parent looks back on a son’s experience with severe anxiety, and the actions that helped the most in improving his mental health.
“The promising start to the high school year came to an abrupt end, and my son struggled with his health, then fell into a debilitating depression. Meanwhile, our family scrambled to figure out how to help….”
A parent of a teenager with severe mental health issues shares steps that are helping manage fear and anxiety affecting the rest of the family.
“How will I manage the impact of one child’s severe mental health issues on our family? My challenge has been to address that issue as our household has dealt with my daughter’s challenges….”
A parent of children with complex physical and mental health challenges describes lessons learned in helping family navigate issues.
“Several of our children have complex issues, including chronic pain …(but) while there have been many struggles, I’ve also found many ways to nurture my children’s mental health….”
Menderist outlines frequently recommended ways to find a mental health therapist in the U.S. and Canada – and lists other options that link to a wider range of help.
“It can be challenging to find someone in your area who is accepting new clients: the demand for therapists, particularly psychiatrists, is high. For this reason, Menderist is listing both traditional mental health organizations and other sources….”
A writer draws on her experience of moving to another part of the country and outlines three innovative strategies she uses to handle challenging situations.
“I live in the middle of the prairie states. This means that weather changes fast and can have life-altering consequences ….”
An educator shares how she’s improving her mental health using strategies for dealing with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
“As I entered middle age, my mind and body changed — and my stress relievers no longer served their intended purpose ….”
A researcher and mother of six looks back on the year’s upsides and downsides, and describes the approach that’s significantly improved her focus on what’s most important.
“When I look back over all that has happened in 2023, things seem a bit overwhelming….”
A software designer describes the difficulties of dealing with insomnia and shares the simple approach he’s taken to combat the problem.
“As we get older, our sleep patterns change. I’m in my 60s, and for the past year I’ve been dealing with insomnia ….”
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Every few weeks, people share encouraging essays, anecdotes, and stories about moments that turned their day around.
