According to statistics, a large number of us struggle with anxiety and depression, but the evangelical community hasn’t always handled issues related to mental illness well.

Jennifer’s daughter, Ashley, joins the discussion today. She shares her struggle with anxiety and depression, and Jennifer shares her experience with OCD. Here’s what else they talk about:

1. Discerning the best way to address anxiety, depression & OCD
2. Cognitive behavior therapy and why it works
3. Self-care tools you can start today
4. Finding a good counselor

Resources:
Anxious for Nothing by Max Lucado: http://urlme.cc/2Jm6

Find Jennifer at:
https://www.jenniferslatterylivesoutloud.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JenSlatte
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/slatteryjennifer/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jenslattery

Find her ministry, Wholly Loved, at: https://www.whollyloved.com

Group Discussion Questions:
1. How comfortable are you discussing mental health issues with your friends, faith community, or peers? What makes this challenging, and what helps make this easier?
2. How would you describe the differences between normal anxiety and anxiety disorder?
3. Have you ever sensed that perhaps your worries were disproportionate to the event that triggered them?
4. Can you share a time when you’ve experienced anxiety that had a spiritual cause?
5. How alert are you to your thoughts?
6. How alert are you to how your thoughts affect your emotions?
7. What are some indications a person’s anxiety might have a medical cause?
8. What are some ways you normally deal with your anxiety? Are these healthy or unhealthy coping mechanisms?
9. In what ways has your anxiety or related condition negatively impacted those you love?
10. Do others feel the need to “manage” your emotions? How might this effect the health of your relationships? How might this affect their mental health?

Episode Image Credit: Getty/nadia_bormotova

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