Blog
How to Be Helpful When a Loved One Tells You They’re Anxious
I understand how anxiety can hijack physiology and rational thought at any time, in any place: at the grocery store, at work, in mid-conversation on a coffee date — it has no regard for students’ classwork or adults’ busy agendas. It doesn’t care. Everybody’s anxiety is different, though, which is why this post is about asking the right questions, rather than giving the right advice.
6 Ways to Support Someone Struggling With Suicidal Ideation
Nine years ago, I was in a very different place. A dark one. With my depression deepening and feeling more isolated than ever, thoughts of ending my own life became frequent. This year on World Suicide Prevention Day, my prayer is that you’ll feel better equipped to support the people in your life who may be struggling with suicidal thoughts.
When My Friend Said He Loved Me
The words were as unexpected as they were welcome. It’s not that I’d been dreaming about hearing them for days, weeks, or any particular amount of time. I knew I loved him, and was fairly sure he felt the same way, but hearing the words for the first time still caught me by surprise.
Learning to Love God in the Midst of Grief
My friend passed away last week after suffering from a sudden and very unexpected stroke. When I heard the news, the only words I could muster were, “Why, God?” Here was a young woman in the prime of her life—a 29-year-old with an amazing intellect and dreams to transform the world. She had so much left to live for. Why did she have to die so young?
What Not to Say to Someone Struggling With Mental Illness
I’ve recently been trying to be more open about my bipolar disorder; I want to be a voice for those with mental illnesses within the church. It’s a scary endeavour, especially when there are so many misconceptions about the illness.
What Do We Do When We’re Paralysed by Choice?
There are important decisions we all face that are wise to deliberate on, of course, like what to study, which job to take, and if/who to marry. But what do we do when we’ve prayed about it, written the pros and cons list, and we still can’t choose?
When Your Friends Don’t Get It: The Story That Led to Anxious Faith
In a recent episode of the podcast, we turned the tables on our host James, and instead asked him the questions. He shared his journey of mental health–both his own, and his family’s–and how it led to what is now Anxious Faith. In this blog post, James shares one of the moments that was part of that journey.
Dating Someone With Anxiety: What I’ve Learned
I’d been exposed to mental illnesses, but had never walked that journey intimately with someone. I won’t lie; it was hard. But I’m now three years (and a wedding) down the road, and have learned so much about what it means to be in a relationship with someone who struggles with their mental health.
I’m Anxious, My Partner Isn’t
It was somewhat disconcerting to begin with, being with someone who’d never felt the tumble-drier effect of a panic attack, the crippling waves of anxiety or the unexplained heaviness of depression.
Why Is Vulnerability So Important?
For me, being deeply honest about my feelings and struggles comes easily. I feel freed when I speak those things out into the open. But I know that isn’t the case for a lot of people.
A Conversation About… Dealing with Anxiety
We spoke to Dr Sarah, a GP here in Australia, who helped us learn what anxiety is from a medical perspective. Sarah shared with us four things we can all be doing - eating well, sleeping well, exercising regularly, and connecting with others.
Caring For My Anxious Wife… Without Despairing
When I first met her, I had no idea about mental illness. Up to that point, depression was something that I had thought of as a foreign concept, but wasn’t something real or experienced.