MIND YOUR MIND COBB COLLABORATIVE VOLUME 4 - 2023 Q4
MAGAZINE IN THIS ISSUE:
MINDFUL SELF-COMPASSION & COPING
MENTORING THROUGH THE HOLIDAYS ANJEANNETTE BARKER | COBB MENTORING MATTERS Q&A WITH A PROFESSIONAL DIANE HILLEARY | ATLANTA CENTER FOR SELF-COMPASSION TIPS TO BUST YOUR HOLIDAY STRESS
MIND YOUR MIND MAGAZINE
TABLE OF CONTENTS Table of Contents
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A Word from Irene Barton
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East Cobb 2023 Citizen of the Year
‘Tis the Time of Travel
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Staying Physically and Mentally Healthy During Holiday Travel
Mentoring Through the Holidays
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Anjeannette Barker | Cobb Mentoring Matters Diane Hilleary, LCSW (pg. 12)
Holiday Statistics
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The Holidays Aren’t Always Happy
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Simple Tips for the Holiday Season
Q&A with a Professional -
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Diane Hilleary | Atlanta Center for Self-Compassion
Anjeannette Barker (pg.05)
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Coping Resources
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Thank You to Our Sponsors
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A WORD FROM IRENE BARTON East Cobb 2023 Citizen of the Year The holiday season often brings an onslaught of emotions to individuals. Expectations – unrealistic or not – can take control of our behavior. We see images of people where everyone is surrounded by beautiful friends and family members, houses are decorated perfectly, the food is cooked to perfection and there is plenty of time to accomplish all that needs to be done. We might compare that to our own situation – perhaps where family members revert to old behaviors, friends argue about politics, or we’re facing unstable housing or food insecurity, never mind buying presents for other people. Or we are alone, either by choice or by circumstance, and might have the “holiday blues.” A study by NAMI revealed that nearly 2/3 of individuals with a mental illness report that the holidays make their condition worse. This issue of Mind Your Mind Magazine is devoted to helping us explore the range of physical and mental symptoms that the holiday season can evoke. We also provide tips to help manage your emotions and build resiliency. Be realistic, take your time, and don’t be afraid to say no when the demands on your time, talent and treasure become too much. In that spirit, we wish you a holiday season full of joy and merriment. We look forward to seeing you in 2024.
Warmest regards,
Irene Barton IRENE BARTON EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
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Photo courtesy of Cobb Chamber
‘TIS THE TIME OF TRAVEL
Staying Physically and Mentally Healthy During Holiday Travel
CRISIS LINES If you, or someone you know, is experiencing a mental health crisis, CALL or TEXT 9-8-8 immediately to speak to a mental health professional.
It is estimated that 115.2 million Americans will travel during the holiday season, according to AAA. That’s almost 1/2 of the U.S population, which means you are likely to be one of them. With the holidays in full swing, many people will be hitting the road (or the air) for family gatherings, holiday vacations, and the obligatory office parties. While we should all enjoy the festivities and indulge in the delicious holiday spreads, it’s important that we keep our physical and mental health in mind amidst all of the changes to our normal routine. The CDC recommends the following tips to staying healthy during the holidays:
Stay Active
highlandrivers.org (800) 729-5700
Find moments to stay active during your holiday traditions. Opt for walk-through Christmas lights vs. drive-through or skip the escalators and take the stairs during that lastminute shopping.
Get to Know The Fam
Take advantage of the extra time with your relatives to ask questions about the family’s mental and physical health history.
Out with the Old
Try a new spin on a family recipe or swap the alcohol for a mock-tail. Traditions can change, and don’t be afraid to start your own that suits your needs and boundaries.
Take Care of Your Mind
Give your brain the love it deserves this holiday with rest, gratitude, and developing some healthy coping skills. Check out the article on page 10 for more tips!
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MENTORING THROUGH THE HOLIDAYS Written By: Anjeannette Barker Mentor Coordinator | Cobb Mentoring Matters “It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Ding! Dong! Ding! Dong! With the kids jingle belling and everyone telling you to be of good cheer”. Isn’t that a lovely song? If you listen to the words, you’re immediately singing along in a delightful mood. If only we could linger in that melodic space.
Some things that impact students and mentors during the holidays are the stress and anxiety resulting from activities in preparation for the holidays. Enjoying down time and a welldeserved break should be the focus during this time of the year. Yet, the last two months of the year starting with Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day include a myriad of observances, including hosting gatherings, coordinating trips, and oh, don’t forget the shopping sprees.
Reality is the end of the year packs a punch handing out so many tasks and indeed more responsibilities than any other time of year. What does this mean for those of us trying to manage the increase in stressors during the holidays? With end of year exams and more time at home, often, we find ourselves turning to things like social media or tried-and-true family recipes to escape or cope. What we really need is some guidance and support for and from those close to us. That’s where mentorship comes in.
For mentees, the holiday season is the end of a school semester. Final exams, major homework assignments and group projects seem to multiply. For mentors, holiday time is greeted with a swarm of work deadlines and quarter end reports. How many of you have realized at 5pm, your child’s class party is tomorrow?!
One who knows the importance of guidance and mentorship is Anjeannette Barker, Mentor Coordinator for Cobb Mentoring Matters, the Cobb County School District mentoring program.
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SHARED STRUGGLES The holidays can be full of wonder and sparkle. But let’s be mindful this time of year can also be triggering for some. Thoughts of loved ones and special memories are forever in our hearts and on our minds. Festive decorations, aromas and traditions on just about every social media channel can heighten loneliness. Overwhelming grief, mounting financial stress and time constraints are enough to cause a downward spiral. I remind mentors that mentees want to be seen. The most important gift you can give someone, even yourself, is the gift of time and a listening ear. Do what makes you and your mentee happy. For many this time of year is overwhelming with responsibilities of career, care giving, school exams, and extracurricular activities. Continuing to add more to your plate can bring about stress and anxiety. The best recipe for coping and appreciating the holiday season is to be flexible and include opportunities for selfcare. Find ways spend more time in conversation. It’s important for us to communicate, fellowship and laugh.
HOW MENTORS CAN HELP Amidst the endless influx of information, mis information, social media influence, the mentor can provide a solid foundation for mentees. Mentoring provides a safe arena for a mentee to cultivate their creative abilities and gifts. Mentors share best practices and support mentees so they stay on track. Mentees will gain more confidence to manage stress and develop ways to embrace challenges and lessen the fear of the unknown or something new. Keep in mind mentees don’t have to wait until the new year starts to initiate new activities and behaviors. A mentor helps shape a student’s life by sharing the most important elements necessary for a young person to experience healthy growth and development: time and attention. Assisting a mentee when they have a lot of stressors on their plate is exactly when a mentor is needed the most. In fact, that’s the essence of mentoring. Mentoring is a commitment to take time out of your schedule and making yourself available to provide a mentee, with your undivided attention every week. Just knowing someone has taken the necessary steps to be a part of a mentee’s life and encourage them sends a positive message that they matter, and someone is ready and willing to invest in their future; help them set goals and navigate the day- to-day challenges of life. Showing up in a student’s life who is experiencing the stress of multiple life events, provides the opportunity for mentors to demonstrate, and mentees cultivate, their personal resiliency and strength. Each of us possess these two powerful qualities. Having a mentor equipped with patience grown from their own life experiences nurtures and validates potential. Having a mentor manifests positive opportunities for mentees themselves and residual rewards for peers as well as the next generation. In this social media age, images and personas are negatively influencing our youth and young adults at inconceivably alarming rates. Mentors are essential in providing mentees with healthy mental motivations and confirming their uniqueness matters. Knowing someone believes in them, will walk beside them, that they are prepared and eager to help them set, achieve and exceed goals, places mentees on the perfect path to gain self- esteem and professional proficiencies.
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STUDENTS WITH MENTORS:
55%
58%
92%
55% more likely to attend college
58% say their mentor supported their mental health
92% more likely to become mentors or volunteer regularly in some capacity themselves
TIPS FOR MENTORS Take things slowly, don’t rush. Let the relationship and conversations flow as organically as possible. Mentoring as in every other relationship you want to flourish, requires an investment of time. No two mentoring relationships are the same. Mentoring is not a momentary experience that can be defined…it’s a movement. Be consistent. When you say you’re going to do something, do it. Keep your word. Mentors are guides on the side, not saviors. Mentees are younger humans; they need encouragement and guidance too. Sometimes mentees won’t feel like sharing, feelings may be too sensitive to discuss. Remember when mentees choose to share, their emotions are real and valid…allow them ample time to feel them. Setting boundaries upfront is important and imperative in the health, well-being and longevity of a mentoring relationship. Indulge in self-care to be the best version of yourself. Take time to be grateful and reflect on blessings. See situations as opportunities rather than weaknesses. The mentoring relationship is reciprocal. We tend to assume the mentee is the student and the mentor is the resource. But consider the conversations that will take place, mentors will receive just as much gratification. Each person gains the opportunity to learn and understand different perspectives. I heard someone say, and I paraphrase, “the more you help someone else become a better them, you become a better you”. Wow!
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HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED? I smile every time the opportunity arises to answer this question because the most effective recruitment tool we possess is word of mouth. Sharing heart felt enthusiasm with fellow community members committed to the awesome mission we have before us…pouring life lessons and wisdom into the next generation. There’s a sense of accomplishment when we decide to give time and talents with our students to help them discover strengths and reach goals. The first step in becoming a volunteer mentor with CMM is to complete our online mentor application. Please go to https://www.cobbschoolsfoundation.org/cobbmentoringmatters A member of our staff personally reaches out to each volunteer to discuss program mission, purpose and minimum requirements. Mentors are asked to commit to a minimum of one hour per week for one year. If you think about it, an hour, or more, is the average amount of time we spend in traffic or engaging in apps on our phones. Mentors must participate in about 6 to 8 hours of training over the course of one year and submit to a background check. We are a school-based program which means mentoring sessions take place on the school campus. Once all of the mentor requirements are met, we match! The matching process starts with a meet and greet begin the matching process! Make meaning with mentorship!
“THE MORE YOU HELP SOMEONE ELSE BECOME A BETTER THEM, YOU BECOME A BETTER YOU” Anjeannette has worked for Cobb County Schools for over 18 years. She is a living witness to the power and influence of mentoring.
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V ITAL STATISTICS - HOLIDAY EDITION
VITAL STATISTICS
HOLIDAY EDITION
BLUE CHRISTMAS? 89% of U.S. adults have reported feelings of overwhelm and increased stress during the holidays
TOP CONCERNS Financial Strain/Worry
89%
Acticipating Family Conflict Missing a Loved One
69% agreed that the stress surrounding the holidays is 23% of adults who celebrate worth it, and 84% said the holiday season creates a traditionally Jewish holidays sense of togetherness experience stress because the holiday season doesn’t reflect their culture, religion or traditions
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THE HOLIDAYS AREN’T ALWAYS HAPPY SIMPLE TIPS FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON
WRITTEN BY: LESLEIGH KNOTTS, COBB COLLABORATIVE MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM COORDINATOR
What is your first instinctive thought when asked about the holiday season? Some think of the festive activities, gathering around a table full of family and/or friends, or cramming in loads of holiday parties. For many other people though, the first feelings about the holiday season that to come to mind are stress, tension, grief and/or depression.
According to the American Psychological Association (APA), 38% of a surveyed group said their stress increased during the holiday season.
increased loneliness and elicit a comparison way of thinking, rather than warm feelings. Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, is a type of depression that most often happens during winter. It is brought on by an increase in isolation and from it generally getting colder and darker outside at an earlier hour. The combination of having SAD symptoms and mental health struggles brought on by the holiday season can leave a person feeling hopeless.
This increased stress can lead to physical illness, depression, anxiety, and substance misuse. For many of us, the holidays can bring certain struggles or issues we’ve been suppressing to the surface. Whether that’s the increased financial burden of gifts and gatherings or the grief we feel from the loved one that’s missing from the table this year. These, along with pressures of commercialism, the anxiety of gift giving or receiving, and maintaining healthy eating habits are among the many things that make the holidays harder to manage. Many types of media also present this false narrative of how the holidays should be. Often times, those cheesy, meet-cute movies about the joys of the holiday season provoke
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However, there are ways to cope and effective skills to implement that can help someone get through. Keep reading for tips to navigate this holiday season...
FOCUS ON SELF-COMPASSION The holiday season can bring added pressure to perform or do more. It can be hard to remember to give yourself grace and compassion when experiencing hard moments. Self-compassion starts with acknowledging that we are being harsh towards ourselves and shifting to be gentler and kinder. It is learning to comfort and care for yourself, as much as you might for others. Start by keeping a journal on your bedside table and writing out your daily wins, big or small.
GET PLENTY OF SLEEP
Often, the average adult is not getting enough sleep and rest, which can negatively impact cognitive function and one’s mood. Especially throughout the holidays when there may be more commitments, its’ important to prioritize healthy sleep habits. Limit the time spent on your phone before bedtime, try reading to quiet your mind, and go to sleep earlier to be able to get the recommended amount of sleep.
HAVE A ‘DO LESS’ ATTITUDE Many people feel the need to say yes to every invite during the holiday season. This overextension can quickly exhaust someone, creating a lack of ability to emotionally regulate. Implementing boundaries and limits with the time you give to others can help bring more structure to your routine and put less pressure on yourself to RSVP to every invite.
TAKE A MEDIA BREAK This time of year is filled with continuous reminders in many types of media of ‘holiday bliss’ and ‘reasons to be merry’. Social media especially can cause feelings of comparison, increase unnecessary consumerism, and present an unrealistic narrative of the holiday season. Remember you are in control of what media and how much media you consume during the holidays. Suggestion: read a few books from your to-read list and take a break from constantly consuming media and being fed the “happy holidays” message.
DIY GIFT GIVING We live in a time where Amazon Prime is competing with Santa in delivering lastminute gifts overnight. Consumerism is reaching extremely high levels and puts an added pressure on people to always buy more. This immediate purchasing and receiving of items can be convenient but it’s not always accessible or costefficient. This year, save money by turning towards making gifts instead of buying them. Make cookies, handwrite letters, or learn how to knit a scarf or blanket.
During this holiday season, please be kind to your mind and body. Give yourself the gift of techniques and tools to experience a more peaceful season amidst all of the inevitable stress that comes with it. Build your resiliency and gain glimmers of hope this holiday season through these simple, yet effective tips.
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Q&A W/ A PROFESSIONAL Diane Hilleary, LCSW Psychotherapist & Executive Director Atlanta Center for Self-Compassion Q - WHY DO THE HOLIDAYS SEEM SO MUCH MORE STRESSFUL THAN OTHER TIMES OF THE YEAR? A - The holidays are a stressful time for many reasons. Increased expectations for socializing, the pressures of gift-giving, financial strain, family dynamics, and grief for departed loved ones can all contribute. At the holidays we feel extra pressure to pretend. Pressure to spend more money than we have, to look a certain way at the family party, to appear happy and put together even if we feel messy and broken inside. Q - DO YOU NOTICE A RISE IN VISITS OR CLIENTS YOU SEE DURING THE HOLIDAYS? A - Yes, it's common for therapists to notice an increase in clients seeking support during the holiday season. Because holiday stressors can contribute to heightened emotions, strained relationships, and feelings of loneliness or grief, self-compassion is really needed during this season. If you feel like you need professional support for what you're going through right now, please know that you are not alone. You are in the company of millions of others who find themselves struggling their way through the holidays. Continued on next page..................................................................
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Diane Hilleary is the founder and director of Atlanta Center for Self-Compassion. She has a bachelor’s degree from Emory University and Master’s in Social Work from the University of Georgia. Diane has more than 15 years experience as a trauma-informed, mindfulness-based psychotherapist and has worked extensively with clients struggling with eating disorders, addiction, anxiety, depression, and intergenerational trauma in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Diane leads workshops, trainings, and retreats for professionals and corporations on the topics of stress-reduction, mindfulness, self-compassion, and embodiment. Diane is intensively trained in Mindful Self-Compassion and Dialectical Behavior Therapy.
Click here to listen to Cobb Collaborative’s Mind Your Mind Speaks Podcast - Episode 10 (July 27, 2021) featuring Diane Hilleary
Q - How do you see individuals respond to the increased stress? Whether through thoughts, feelings, or behaviors? A - While individuals’ experiences can of course vary widely, it is common for holiday stress to contribute to an increase in anxiety or depression. People often have self-critical thoughts about their own inadequacy if they can’t feel happy or keep up with the pressures of the season. Emotionally this shows up as an increase in sadness, loneliness, and irritability. When we are experiencing increased stress or pain, the natural urge is to try to make it stop. Whatever behaviors we usually use to numb or cope may be magnified during the holidays. This can include overeating, excessive drinking, social withdrawal, and overspending. Q - Is there any specific technique or tool you (and your therapists) use more during this time of year than at any other time? A - At Atlanta Center for Self-Compassion, our therapists encourage boundaries and lots of selfcompassion during the holiday season. The expectations of the season are stressful and overwhelming. Taking time to really feel into what things on your holiday to do list lift your spirits and which ones are “shoulds” that drain your energy is a helpful place to start. Once you know the answer to that, you can better decide how to prioritize your time. When we say no or set a boundary around how we show up during this season, it can be scary and bring up feelings of guilt. That’s when self-compassion can help you honor your own needs and feelings even when others disagree. Q - What is mindful self-compassion and why is it so important, especially this time of year? A - Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) involves treating oneself with kindness, understanding, and acceptance during difficult times. When we are in the midst of increased stress, we are in need of increased support. Mindful SelfCompassion is a great way we can show that support to ourselves during the holidays. For many of us, our ingrained response is to judge ourselves for feeling overwhelmed or sad. We respond to ourselves with self-criticism saying “why are you so sensitive?” or “buck up and get over it”. This compounds our suffering because now we are feeling upset about our initial circumstances and upset with ourselves for feeling upset. The good news is that self-compassion is a skill that can be learned with practice and can interrupt this self-defeating cycle of harshly judging ourselves when we are hurting.
TRY THIS: Imagine you are feeling sad or have just made a mistake. Take a moment to jot down what you might say to yourself and what tone of voice you would use. Now imagine a friend was in the same situation. What you would say to them? Do you notice a difference? Are you kinder to your friends than you are to yourself? Try giving yourself the same compassion you would to a friend.
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I think it helps to break MSC into its three components: mindfulness, common humanity and self-kindness. Mindfulness is awareness of our present moment experience without judgment. In order to practice being kinder to ourselves, we have to first be able to notice and accept our feelings just as they are. The concept of common humanity is one of my favorite parts of MSC. Common humanity reminds us that when we are struggling, it is not because there is something inherently wrong with us. All humans are imperfect, experience painful change and loss and have feelings of heartbreak, loneliness, and inadequacy. These feelings are something we have in common rather than something that sets us apart as uniquely flawed. Once we notice we are in a painful moment and remind ourselves that it makes sense because that is how it feels to be human, then we can practice showing ourselves the same kindness we show our friends. Self-kindness is saying to ourselves, “it makes sense that this hurts. What do I need to comfort myself right now?” Q - What are some concrete examples of practicing MSC and how does one get started? A - Self-compassion involves offering ourselves comfort and soothing in distressing moments as well as motivating ourselves with encouragement and protecting ourselves from harm. Here are some of my favorite ways to practice MSC. One is taking a “self-compassion break”. I’ll provide the script and I would encourage your readers to make it their own and write it in their phone notes to pull up when needed. When you find yourself struggling, read this to yourself: “This is a moment of suffering. This is how it feels to be human sometimes. May I be kind to myself in this moment.” Another example would be “This hurts. It’s normal to feel this way. How can I show myself the same kindness and understanding I would show my friends?” This practice can be done as a short meditation or just something you say to yourself quickly at a stoplight. Other ways to practice MSC are to prioritize small moments of self-support. Maybe it’s snuggling with your pet, buying yourself flowers or savoring the warmth and taste of your coffee in the morning. I also like to write myself love notes. I imagine that I am channeling the words of someone who knows me and loves me and I write down what I really need to hear.
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Students who take my Mindful Self-Compassion class often express concern that if they are kind to themselves they will become lazy or slip into bad habits. This is the biggest fear I hear from students and clients, But research actually shows that we are much more effective at changing habits and patterns when we come from a place of self-encouragement and celebrating our small wins than when it comes from harsh self-criticism. Q - What are some other tips or coping skills that you find successful in your practice? A - My favorite coping skill for myself and to share with clients is my mantra “gentleness and baby steps”. It is so hard to be kind to ourselves when we see our patterns are hurting us but we can’t seem to change them. We may know that we want to set boundaries with family at the holidays but we just can’t seem to do it. We may want to change our habits with drinking, exercise or procrastination but we feel stuck. I find it’s helpful to start by acknowledging that our patterns and habits serve some kinds of purpose and most of us are just trying to find a way to feel safe and keep going. This is the gentleness. Most of us are doing the best we can with the mix of our temperament and life experiences. And it is also true that we can change. But change happens in small moments that stack on top of each other over time. All we can do is the next right small step. If we are gentle with ourselves and keep taking baby steps, we will be able to look back and see progress over the long term rather than expecting ourselves to change overnight. Especially at the holidays I hope your readers can celebrate the small wins, be compassionate with their human struggles and take small steps in the direction of more kindness and support for themselves! For more information and resources, or to schedule a free 15-minute consultation call, head to atlantaselfcompassion.com.
678-701-7246 info@atlantaselfcompassion.com atlantaselfcompassion.com 2801 Buford Hwy. NE, Suite T-60 Atlanta, GA 30329
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COPING RESOURCES For anyone struggling during the holidays, know there is hope and there is help. Below is a list of resources and organizations to support your healing journey.
9-8-8 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Crisis Text Line “How to Deal with Self Harm”
The 9-8-8 National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides 24/7, free, and confidential support for people in distress, prevention, and crisis resources for you or your loved ones. You can find curated resources for specific communities, research, materials, media, and best practices for providers at 988lifeline.org. Call or text 988 anytime for immediate help.
The Crisis Text Line offers 24/7 live support from a trained counselor via text, WhatsApp, or chatting on their website. Text HOME to 741741 to help you in a moment of crisis. You should also check out their article “How to Deal with Self Harm” for information and tips on how to overcome selfharm.
Georgia Crisis and Access Line (GCAL)
Eating Disorder Helpline The National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorder (ANAD) have a toll-free helpline available M-F 9a-9p CST for anyone who needs support, encouragement, or referrals for an eating disorder. Call ANAD at 1(888)375-7767 *closed on Christmas Day (12/25/23) and New Years Day (1/1/24)
GCAL provides 24/7 crisis intervention services, such as dispaching mobile crisis teams and assisting individuals in finding an open crisis centers across Georgia. Call or text 1-800-7154225, or download the My GCAL app, available in the App Store or Google Play.
The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline provides 24/7, free, confidential support before, during, and after pregnancy. Call or text 1-833-TLCMAMA (1-833-852-6262) for professional counselors, support, information, resources, and referrals to telehealth providers and support groups. Help is available in English and Spanish
Maternal Mental Health Hotline
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If you need immediate assistance for a mental health crisis, CALL or TEXT 9-8-8 anytime to be connected to a licensed mental health professional.
(NAMI) Teen and Young Adult HelpLine
Mindful SelfCompassion Course
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) released a Teen & Young Adult (T&YA) HelpLine to connect young people with another young person who can relate and offer support when those around you don’t understand. .
The Atlanta Center for Self-Compassion offers a selfguided online course to strengthen your practice of Mindful Self-Compassion. Reach out to ibarton@cobbcollaborative.org for FREE access to this 8-week digital course.
Subst ance Abuse and Ment al Heal t h Ser vi ces Admi ni st r at i on ( SAMHSA)
Resilient GA Resilient GA created a state-wide coalition to develop a closely-aligned and trauma-informed public and private network working toward a united vision to create a birth through 26-yearold integrated behavioral health system. Key components include prevention, early intervention, research, advocacy and policy, and System of Care implementation and coordination.
Call SAMHSA’s free National Helpline at 1-800622-HELP (4357) for confidential, 24/7, 365-day-ayear treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families who need support for mental and/or substance use disorders.
The Trevor Project provides 24/7 information and support for LGBTQ youth struggling with suicidal ideation, loneliness, and isolation. Their key functions include crisis services, advocacy, research, peer support, and public education on issues relevant to LGBTQ youth and allies.
The Trevor Project
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THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
THANK YOU to everyone involved in the making of MYM Magazine. At Cobb Collaborative, we aim to reduce the stigma of mental health and increase access and awareness to support and services. We wouldn't be able to do this amazing work and further our mission without the support of Resilient Georgia. Be sure to check out our events, many of which are sponsored by Resilient Georgia.
CC RESOURCES COLLABORATIVE CONNECTION NEWSLETTER
We would also like to thank our wonderful guests, Anjeannette Barker, Diane Hilleary, and Lesleigh Knotts for contributing their insightful stories that help us gain more compassion for ourselves and others, especially during a time of year when life throws extra weight on all of the plates we are balancing in our lives.
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