Featured Resources
Creating Coping Skills
Arts and recreation activities build skills that can help young people by providing a sense of community, building connections, creating purpose and meaning, helping to process trauma and become more resilient. All important tools in preventing suicide and building resilient mental health in youth.
Art as a Therapeutic Tool
Youth at our agencies often engage in art projects as part of treatment, education, or recreation while in our care. Here are some inspiring pieces created by our talented youth.
Finding Inspiration in Textiles
Knitting, embroidery, quilting, and other textile hobbies can be incredibly beneficial for mental health. The repetitive motions and focus create a calming experience that can reduce stress and anxiety. This form of art fosters creativity, offering a sense of accomplishment and pride as you see your work come together.Additional Resources
Kris Jamieson Was Unclear On Her Own Identity But Very Clear On Her Mom's
Growing up as the only person of color in her adoptive family, Kris Jamieson always knew she was different, but understanding her identity proved far more complicated. From reconnecting with her birth mother to navigating painful family estrangement, Kris shares how race, belonging, and loss have shaped her mental health journey. It’s a powerful conversation about complicated families, clarity around who “Mom” is, and learning to live with depression and anxiety while holding onto your sense of self.
NPR’s Peter Sagal On Breaking Cycles and Learning From His Past
NPR’s Peter Sagal joins Dr. Michelle K. Murray for a candid conversation about mental health, family history, and personal growth. Known for his humor on Wait Wait... Don’t Tell Me, Peter shares his experience with undiagnosed ADHD, anxiety, and depression, and how reflection and therapy helped him break unhealthy patterns and build stronger family connections.
Best of "In This Family" Episodes
Nexus Family Healing’s "In This Family" podcast brings together powerful voices who share how mental health, addiction, and recovery have shaped their lives and families. This best-of roundup highlights four impactful episodes that spark honest conversations, reduce stigma, and remind us that healing begins when stories are shared.
Dessa on the Importance of Taking Care of Family, Body, Mind, and Curiosity
Rapper, singer, and author Dessa shares how she faced big feelings as an adolescent and how she got the help she needed when she needed it. Dessa tells us how family support and a curiosity about health and medicine have served her well.
Bill Corbett on Anxiety, Being a Son, Being a Dad, and How He’s Breaking Cycles
Actor and writer Bill Corbett shares an honest look at his journey with anxiety, addiction, and recovery, reflecting on how growing up without conversations about mental health shaped his life. He opens up about his breakdown in New York City, his path to sobriety, and the work it took to regain balance.
Clancy Martin Unlocked the Secret of How Not to Kill Himself
Author and professor Clancy Martin tells Dr. Michelle K. Murray about what a lifetime of trying to die feels like, about his own complex family, and how just in the last few years he has managed to finally lose that urge to make the worst decision one can make.
Breaking the Silence on Mental Health While Keeping Cultural Identity with Vivien Lee
Vivien Lee recalls the first inklings of an existential crisis when she was eight years old. As she grew older, Vivien endured severe trauma. As the oldest of several children in a family that was part of Minnesota’s Hmong community, mental health was not something that was discussed in her family.
Gender Identity and Mental Health in the Family with Aaron and Asher
Dr. Michelle K. Murray sits down with her brother Aaron and nephew Asher to discuss Asher’s journey with depression, anxiety, and OCD, and how discovering his gender dysphoria helped him find clarity and self-acceptance. Aaron shares how he and Asher’s mom supported him along the way, guiding him toward a more peaceful and confident place.