Mental Health Resources
You're not alone.
Let’s normalize conversations around mental health. Whether you struggle to manage stress in your life, find yourself anxious, are battling addiction, or have been living in the depths of depression, you’re not alone.
Your life matters. Even on your hardest days, there is hope.
Explore the topics, stories, and resources below to learn from experts and others who have struggled with their mental health. This list is not comprehensive, but is created as a guide for you on your journey—please use them at your own discretion. If you are in a situation where you are being harmed, or are harming others or yourself, seek medical help immediately.
Anxiety
Overcoming Depression | One woman’s story of being raised in the church and discovering that simply ignoring depression and anxiety—or having more faith—didn’t make it disappear.
Capable Life | A suite of tools to help leaders function as Calm, Aware, Present, Able humans even amidst tension, pressures and triggers.
Addiction & Recovery
Loving an Addict: Identifying Substance Abuse and How To Help | Learn from a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor on seeing the signs of potential substance abuse and how to help.
Addiction and Co-Dependency: A Story of Recovery. | One man’s journey through co-dependency and addiction, and how RECOVER has supported him in leading a healthier life.
What is RECOVER and Who is it For? | Learn about RECOVER, a 12-step faith-based support group where you can find community and accountability on your journey toward recovery.
A RECOVER Leader’s Journey: Addiction, Healing, and Giving Back. | We asked a RECOVER leader questions about his journey to recovery and how to help someone you think may be an addict.
A RECOVER Leader’s Journey: People Pleasing, Perfectionism, and Procrastination. | Read Karen’s story about her life and how she ended up at a RECOVER meeting that changed everything for her.
A RECOVER Leader’s Journey: Losing My Emotional Baggage. | Follow Vicky’s story through addictive behaviors, addressing the pain in her past, and becoming a leader in RECOVER.
A RECOVER Leader’s Journey: Lifting The Mask To Reveal His Authentic Self. | Ron takes us through his story of addiction and other issues, and how RECOVER has been life-changing for him and his family.
Substance Abuse/Alcoholism
With recovery from addiction, there is no ‘one size fits all.’ Some people may find it very difficult to stay sober from drugs and alcohol on their own. Some addicts find a lasting foundation for success in sobriety through inpatient treatment programs or intensive outpatient programs. Talk with your doctor or counselor for referrals. This website has some information on some local rehab centers.
Some people benefit from outpatient programs that offer Medication-Assisted Treatment or Opiate Treatment Programs. Please refer to your doctor or a counselor for more information to determine what would be best for you.
RECOVER is a great place for community and help through the 12 steps of recovery, but for those actively struggling to get and stay sober, one meeting a week may not be enough. Finding an appropriate 12-step program and support group in addition to RECOVER can be highly beneficial. We’ve placed some suggestions below. You can try several different meetings until you find one that feels right. Like at RECOVER, what you put into any program is what you will get out of it.
Addiction Support Groups
RECOVER At Willow Creek • Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) • Narcotics Anonymous (NA) • Overeaters Anonymous (OA) • Al-Anon and Alateen support for families of alcoholics
Helplines
Illinois Helpline for Opioids & Other Substances • SAMHSA’s National Helpline
Addiction Experts | Get addiction treatment help from addiction experts
Sexual Addiction Support
Christmas & Holidays
Not so Merry: Christmas with Depression | How one woman sits in the “both/and” of life to cope with Christmas and find peace.
Dealing With Grief at Christmas | Christmas can be a tough time when a loved one is missing. We learn from the leader of the REBUILD workshops how she copes with this time of year after her own loss.
Moms at Christmas: Resisting Expectations of Perfection, Avoiding Burnout and Staying Connected | Feeling overwhelmed at Christmas with ALL that has to be done? Here’s how one mom lifts the pressure and stays present with her family.
Christmas as a Blended Family: Experiences, Challenges, and How God Uses It All | When living in a blended family, Christmas can present additional challenges. One woman shares her story, her challenges, and how she has attempted to find joy in the hard times.
Counseling
How to Find a Counselor & What to Expect | Learn three steps for finding a counselor that’s best for you—and how to get the most out of your counseling experience.
What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy? | A Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor walks us through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. What it is, how it works and how it can help you with reframing negative thought patterns.
Black Female Therapist Directory | This comprehensive online directory lists Black women therapists in the United States. The site notes whether therapists accept new clients, accept your insurance, or offer sliding-scale payments.
Depression
Overcoming Depression | One woman’s story of being raised in the church and discovering that simply ignoring depression and anxiety—or having more faith—didn’t make it disappear.
Living With Depression and Hope: Sav’s Story. | Sav’s journey of living with depression, and how she has coped, through therapy, support, and faith.
Symptoms of Depression: Identifying if You Might Have Depression | Learn the SIG-E-CAPS acronym to identify the signs of depression.
Light in the Darkness: Finding Hope in the Shadow of Depression | Many Christians struggle with the dark shadows depression can cast over our lives. Too often, our depression is compounded by a sense of personal shame or guilt. Light in the Darkness shows us how, rather than a sickness or a sin, depression is actually a signal, warning us of emotional damage that needs repair.
If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, have thoughts of hurting yourself or others, or need help right away, please call or text 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Do not hesitate to get help! You are not alone.
Everyday Mental Health Practices and Resources
Grief
Processing Grief: How To Get Through Life With Grief and Seek Hope | Learn how losing her son consumed one woman with grief and how REBUILD helped her find a way forward.
REBUILD | Attend a grief-support workshop, offered twice a year, where you can create space for your grief and gain practical tools for moving forward.
Jesus & Therapy
What Does God Think About Mental Health | Learn from a pastor and professor what the Bible says about mental health and answer the questions ‘is faith enough?’ and ‘can Christians seek help for mental health?’
Overcoming Depression | One woman’s story of being raised in the church and discovering that simply ignoring depression and anxiety—or having more faith—didn’t make it disappear.
Living With Depression and Hope: Sav’s Story | Sav’s journey of living with depression, and how she has coped, through therapy, support, and faith.
Mental Illness
Mental-health crisis centers and NAMI affiliates are listed below. For a full list of mental health crisis centers in Illinois, please visit the Illinois Department of Human Services. For a full list of NAMI affiliates in Illinois please visit their website.
Panic Attacks
Relationships
Coming soon!
Trauma
ACE Test | Are you suffering from trauma?
The Place We Find Ourselves | The Place We Find Ourselves podcast features private practice therapist Adam Young (LCSW, MDiv) and interview guests as they discuss all things related to story, trauma, attachment, and interpersonal neurobiology.
The Body Keeps The Score: Brain, Mind and Body in The Healing of Trauma by Bessel van der Kolk M.D.
The Drama of the Gifted Child: The Search for the True Self by Alice Miller
National Resources
If you’re looking for resources available to everyone in the United States to help with various kinds of mental health issues, here’s a list of national mental health resources. These resources can help with finding out more about mental health, mental illness, treatments, local resources and national helplines.
If you’re experiencing a mental health emergency, please call 911 or 988 immediately. Do not wait.
- National Alliance on Mental Illness NAMI website
- US government website mentalhealth.gov
- US Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services (SAMHSA)
- Call, text or chat on the website National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline dial 988
- Call 911
Talk or pray with a pastor
Not sure where to start? Speak with one of Willow’s skilled, compassionate response pastors—and take your first step toward finding the help you need.
A conversation with a response pastor can provide you with:
- A wise, confidential sounding board for your situation.
- Coaching to help find a suitable therapist.
- Information about a workshop or class that might benefit you or your circumstance.
- Clarity on what to do next.
- Someone who will pray with you or for you.
- Help in planning a funeral for your loved one.
Not sure what you need? Contact Us