Featured Resources
Circle of Control
Use our Circle of Control worksheet to help you reflect on things you ultimately have control over compared to things you don't.
Poetry Slam
From acrostic to free verse, a variety of poetic styles help us explore our feelings with freedom and confidence.
Daily Reflection
Use this sheet to check in on yourself and reflect on the things that support your mental health and well-being each day.Additional Resources
Moon Zappa Found Peaceful Mental Health After a Childhood of Chaos
Author and artist Moon Zappa became famous at age 14, doing a guest vocal on the hit song “Valley Girl” by her dad, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame musician Frank Zappa. It’s a fun song, what isn’t so fun is that the song came about from Moon’s desperate attempt to get some kind of attention and approval from her dad in what she says was a chaotic household. In this wide ranging interview, Moon talks about a mother prone to fits of rage, a father gone nine months out of the year and checked out when he was there, and a childhood of self-harm and desperate people pleasing. She also explains how as an adult she got some good therapy, learned to identify the root causes of her suffering, and gain a deep understanding not just of the events of a traumatic upbringing but how to grow and even thrive.
Dr. Joseph Lee, CEO of Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, on Addiction and Healing
As a young resident at Duke University, Joseph Lee saw the profound change that people were capable of when dealing with addiction. He witnessed how people could become healthier than they had ever been with the benefit of skilled treatment, good support, and a lot of determination. Dr. Lee has been with Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation for 17 years, including serving as President and CEO for the last five years. He joins Nexus Family Healing President and CEO Dr. Michelle K. Murray for an enlightening discussion about how addiction works, the misconceptions about it, and some important, practical ways families can help in the recovery process. Dr. Lee says if families can overcome the guilt and shame that goes along with looking for causes and blame, they can be much better equipped to guide their loved one to a better tomorrow.
Cozy Fall Activities for Your Mental Health
The swift approach of Autumn and the ending of summer can be a brutal adjustment. Days are short and cold, evenings are dark and long, and these changes in the weather can bring on symptoms of Seasonal Depressive Disorder. Because of this, it’s important to find enjoyable ways to combat these symptoms and protect your mental health. Here are a few suggestions to help you get excited for the changing season, all while supporting your mental health.
Loving Families and the Pain of Silence with Meg Kissinger
Award-winning veteran journalist Meg Kissinger grew up as part of a close-knit family in a noisy and active house. That happens in a home with eight kids. Yet there was nothing but silence when it came to the pervasive bipolar disorder, substance use disorder, depression, and anxiety that heavily impacted the Kissingers. Meg, author of the moving memoir While You Were Out, tells how she persevered, found answers that were hard to come by, and got to a healthier place. It’s an inspiring conversation about mental illness, loss, healing, and hope.
In This Family Podcast Trailer
In This Family, a new podcast hosted by Dr. Michelle K. Murray, President/CEO of Nexus Family Healing and licensed marriage and family therapist, explores the impact of mental health within families through honest, candid conversations. The podcast features public and private figures sharing raw, relatable stories about mental health challenges and triumphs. The series highlights how mental health affects the entire family—and how resilience and courage can lead to healing.
Understanding Collective Grief and Mutual Aid
Tragedies are an unfortunate inevitability of life. Grief is the aftermath. It’s the fear and sadness and impending sense of doom as we look into a future where something we loved is missing forever. While collective grief happens to large groups of people, each person’s experience or ability to cope is unique. However you feel about the tragedy, it’s important to take care of yourself and the people you care for. You are not alone in your grief.
There Is No Right Way to Grieve
Last summer my mom passed away. She was sick with cancer for a long time, so in theory, I had plenty of time to prepare for her passing. And yet, I will tell you now, there is no way you can ever prepare for the loss of a parent. While I grieve, I have learned that the stages of grief don’t always apply to every instance of grief or loss, and I will explain why.
The Power of Empathy in Making Meaningful Connections
Empathy is a critical part in what makes us human: the ability to understand things from another person’s point of view helps us to better understand each other. It’s vital in creating safe spaces for our friends and loved ones to feel understood, making it an essential part of mental health care.