Redemption Church – Healthy New Year – 2 – Mental Health Talk

 

Chris Intro
Healthy New Year

 

Introduction:

1.                       Educational background – Obtained master’s in counseling psychology in 2016, Tarleton State University
2.                       Work background – almost 10 years’ experience – work with an agency that provides mental health services in individuals across six counties. Have worked extensively with justice-involved population – worked across six different county jails

Objective:

*Will not be an exhaustive deep dive into all mental health issues…

*The purpose of our conversation today is to focus on thoughts/emotional issues that we all face in some way in our daily lives. I’ve worked with a lot of inmates across many jails who experience the very same thoughts/emotional struggles that we do.  Depression, isolation, anxiety.

*Today we will focus on five different areas —  so that we can CLIMB to better mental health in 2025

 

CLIMB

C-Change Your Thoughts

Psychological Insights:

Author James Allen in his book ‘As a Man Thinketh’ states: “As he thinks, so he is; as he continues to think, so he remains.”

Psychological research confirms this very sentiment. Our thought life is powerful & important – it acts as a steering wheel which can bring us to all sorts of different destinations, bad or good.

Discuss Reintegration classes at the jail. There is a big focus on helping individuals identify maladaptive thinking patterns & giving them strategies to dispute and change those thoughts. The ABCs of Thinking is a technique where individuals can gain these new skills.

Dr. Albert Ellis developed the “ABCs of thinking” model. This model is used to understand how our beliefs about an activating event influence our emotional and behavioral consequences.

ABCs of Thinking

A. Activating Event

B. Your beliefs about the event.

C. Consequences

How is it possible that two different people can have vastly different responses to the same activating event?

 

Bus Stop example –

 

Failed exam example –

 

What do I believe about what just happened?

After practicing, it is possible to evaluate your belief and reframe in real time to improve the consequence.

 

It is only fitting that Jim Rohn, an influential motivational speaker and thought leader, once famously said: “No one else ‘makes us angry.’ We make ourselves angry when we surrender control of our attitude.

Biblical Foundation:

What does God say about this?

 

Allow God to Transform Your Mind
Romans 12:2 – “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

 

Focus on what is Good- 

Philippians 4:8- “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

How easy is it to focus on things that are negative, unwholesome, and distracting? There is power in filling our mind with God’s word.

 

Bring our Thoughts into the Obedience of Christ

 2 Corinthians 10:5 -“We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,

 

Stay Your Mind on God

Isaiah 26:3  – “You keep him in perfect peace
whose mind is stayed on you,
because he trusts in you.  

 

L-Lean Into Your Purpose

 Psychological insights:

Purpose – Research shows that having a sense of purpose improves mental health, lowers the risk of depression, and enhances overall well-being.

An excerpt from The American Psychiatry Association website states: “What is purpose in life? It means having a central, organizing life aim, an overall sense of direction in one’s life, and a belief that one’s life activities are valuable and important — making a positive mark on the world.1, 2 Research indicates that having a purpose in life is good for mental health. For example, having greater purpose in life was significantly associated with lower levels of depression and anxiety.1

Lack of direction/purpose is predominant among individuals served in the jail – there is a focus with some of our programming to help individuals build purpose & direction.

Exploration of interests with open-ended questions

Setting SMART goals: specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound.

Consider small steps – wins bring confidence and more confidence.

A powerful motivator & and deterrent for re-arrest is when someone can begin to share their recovery story with others who are struggling – why is that?

 

Biblical Foundation:

What does the bible say about having purpose?

 

Have you heard about the incredible story about King Cyrus?

The Jewish people had been in exile for ____ years and Persian King Cyrus assumed control of the kingdom.

 

 

The Story of King Cyrus

Babylonian Captivity of Israelites – Persian King Cyrus conquered the Babylonians.

This is an amazing story of a Persian King whose purpose was to facilitate and allow the Israelites to rebuild their temple. Incredibly, Isaiah prophesies about him 150 years before he was born!

Isaiah 45:1-6 –“Thus says the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus,
whose right hand I have grasped,
to subdue nations before him
and to loose the belts of kings,
to open doors before him
that gates may not be closed:

“I will go before you
and level the exalted places,
I will break in pieces the doors of bronze
and cut through the bars of iron,

I will give you the treasures of darkness
and the hoards in secret places,
that you may know that it is I, the LORD,
the God of Israel, who call you by your name,

For the sake of my servant Jacob,
and Israel my chosen,
I call you by your name,
I name you, though you do not know me.

I am the LORD, and there is no other,
besides me there is no God;
I equip you, though you do not know me,

that people may know, from the rising of the sun
and from the west, that there is none besides me;
I am the LORD, and there is no other.

 

In the first year of his reign he was prompted by God to decree that the Temple in Jerusalem should be rebuilt and that the Jews might return to their land for this purpose.

The historian Josephus stated that Cyrus was informed of the biblical prophecies written about him and it was this circumstance that motivated the ruler to fulfill what was written.

 

Wouldn’t it be amazing if you could also open up your bible and see a prophecy about your purpose?

Ephesians 2:10 “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

What an incredible promise from God!

What does this mean? 

There is a bible study waiting for you with your name on it!

There is an act of mercy for you with your name on it!

There is a unique spot for you to serve with your name on it! Everyone is a ten in something.

I truly believe that deep deep down inside, nobody actually wants to take the time, effort, energy to just come to church and sit down.

Change Your Mind. Lean Into Your Purpose. I

 

I-Immerse Yourself in Community

Psychological Insights:

Loneliness is linked to mental health challenges like depression, anxiety, poorer sleep quality, and even impaired cognitive functioning.

Experience working with justice-involved people who continually cycle through the jail with repeated arrests. Program participants say all of the right things & are eager and complete all assignments. They vow to never again touch substances. After they are released, they are nowhere to be found – there is no engagement in our community program. Oftentimes, they will appear back in the jail in a handful of weeks and/or months and the same pattern seems to emerge: they went back into their environments & surrounded themselves with the same friends who are using… Guess what happened?

Common denominator emerges for individuals who live in active recovery – they have support from community – AA/NA and other support groups. Hobby groups. etc

Biblical Foundation:

Hebrews 10:24-25: “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Acts 2:42-47: “And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.”

“Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles.”

“All who believed were together and had things in common;”

“They would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need.”

“Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts,”

“Praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.”

[Testimony of Starting a Small Group] – Connect Group Picture

Galatians 6:2 – “Bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ.”

1 Thessalonians 5:11 – “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”

Godly community allows for accountability (confession), moves of His Spirit, and transformation.

 

Manage It:

Psychological Insights:

Another word for this would be to deal with it.

SAMHSA – Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website: “It is estimated that 63% of people in jail and 58% in prison have a substance use disorder.

[general anecdotal story of interviewing someone who is in denial of their substance use]

Through my experience in working in the justice system, many individuals are stuck in the denial phase. An example of this would be an individual who refuses any recent substance use during an interview despite there being clear evidence to the contrary (such as a positive drug test, criminal charge involving drug possession with an iron clad arrest affidavit).

Motivation for Change

Psychological concept and research

Transtheoretical Model (aka Model for Change) was developed by James O Prochaska and Carlo DiClemente in the late 1970’s. They found there are five stages in making change and many of us are familiar with these from our own lives. At first, I’m not even thinking about change (Pre-contemplation) until something causes me to reflect, “Well, maybe I should…” (Contemplation). Once I decide to make a change, I must plan how I’ll do it (Preparation), then put that plan into Action. In Maintenance, I continue to deepen my commitment and motivation to keep my plan rolling until the change becomes the new normal.

Pre-contemplation:

Contemplation:

Preparation:

Action:

Maintenance:

The Courage to Change Interactive Journaling® System is an evidence-based supervision/case management model developed in collaboration with several United States Probation Offices. Use the curriculum in our jail program to address:

• Substance Use – The Substance Use Journal helps participants evaluate the impact of substance use on their lives. They identify their own motivations for changing their substance use behavior and the strengths and abilities they can tap into to achieve their goals for change. Participants then develop a plan to help maintain their efforts toward recovery.

• Social Values- This journal helps participants identify their values and the impact on themselves and others. Participants are encouraged to take responsibility for their choices and make amends for the harm they have caused. Values that promote a healthy lifestyle including honesty, tolerance, caring, respect and responsibility are explored and participants will create an action plan for strengthening their values. 

• Seeking Employment – Seeking Employment helps participants identify education and training they may need to reach their employment goals. Participants consider their interests and skills related to employment and begin strategic planning for their job search. Practical tips and exercises are offered to help them overcome obstacles and achieve success along their chosen career paths

• Responsible Thinking – In the Responsible Thinking Journal, participants consider the connection between their thinking and their involvement in the criminal justice system. They weigh the payoffs and costs of their negative behavior and consider possible errors in thinking that lead to irresponsible and criminal behavior. Participants learn how to challenge and change their self-talk and practice decision-making and problem-solving skills.

• Recreation and Leisure- Part of successful supervision involves managing your time in a responsible way. Recreation & Leisure provides participants with an opportunity to explore how they spend their free time. Participants identify positive activities to engage their mind, body and spirit and set goals for spending their free time in healthy, fun ways that support their goals for positive change.

• Self-Control – The Self-control Journal focuses on feelings participants experience most often and addresses risks related to low self-control. Five big feelings of anger, boredom, sadness, fear and resentment are explored. Participants have an opportunity to practice strategies for managing difficult feelings and impulses and build a self-control action plan.

• Peer Relationships – The Peer Relationships Journal centers on building and maintaining positive connections with peers. Participants consider their past and present peer relationships, learn the differences between healthy and unhealthy relationships, practice handling social peer pressure and learn how to build a positive support network.

Learning new coping skills – Seeking Safety Coping Skills- evidenced based treatment that was developed by Dr. Lisa Najavitis to help people with PTSD and Substance Use Disorders.

Biblical Foundation:

[My recovery story] – spent a lot of time in pre-contemplation myself. Then got stuck in contemplation.

 

Where do you fall within The Motivation to Change?

 

Jesus often talks about the subject of stewardship which is management. We are called to be good stewards of our resources and one of our greatest resources is our mind.

The Parable of the Talents –

Where are you on the Motivation for Change?

Build Resilience

Theodore Roosevelt once said: “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”

The former President is saying that we must be resilient. You gotta get up and go. You gotta fight.

[Story of George Washington and Miracle of the Fog]

It is hard to not consider George Washington and his army’s resilience in the face of almost certain defeat. Author Paul Batura writes:

“But for some summer rain and dense fog, an independent America may never have been. It was late in the day on Thursday, August 29, 1776 – 246 years ago. General George Washington and his fledgling Continental Army were trapped in Brooklyn Heights, NY., along the East River, across from the island of Manhattan. Great Britain’s Redcoats, a well-trained army twice in size and far better fortified than the colonists’ ragtag militia, had been pummeling the Americans for days during what would become known as the Battle of Long Island. General William Howe’s British forces were positioned on Staten Island, and on 400 ships across New York Harbor – readying and raring to ignite the fatal and final blow. During this most recent attack, nearly twenty percent of Washington’s troops had been either killed, injured or captured. Only 9,000 American soldiers remained. Barring a miracle, the Revolutionary War was all but over. And a miracle is exactly what happened next. Just as the American troops fell back in Brooklyn, likely assuming their sorry fate sealed, the clouds rolled in, the skies darkened, rain began to fall, the wind shifted – and a dense fog rolled in as day became night. Recognizing an opening to escape across Manhattan, Washington ordered his troops to seize the moment. Soldiers were ordered into boats. The oars were wrapped in towels in order to help muffle the sound of the wood smacking the water. According to accounts of that night, the fog was so thick the men couldn’t see more than six feet in front of them. By the time morning came and the fog had lifted, all 9,000 troops were safely across the East River and into Manhattan and points beyond.In the days following the daring escape, George Washington and his troops talked up the “providential” and “miraculous” fog. Previously bedraggled and demoralized, they took the night’s turn as a sign that God’s favor was upon them – and it gave them energy and hope to keep going.”

 

All of our favorite stories are about resilience.

Psychological Insights:

I’ve encountered individuals who seemed to have given up hope on ever being able to stay out of jail or find deeper meaning in their life.

Mayo Clinic offered the following take on Resilience:

“When something goes wrong, do you tend to bounce back or fall apart? When you have resilience, you harness the inner strength that helps you rebound from a setback or challenge, such as a job loss, an illness, a disaster or a loved one’s death. If you lack resilience, you might get stuck on problems or feel like a victim. You might feel burdened or turn to ways to cope that aren’t healthy, such as drug or alcohol use, eating disorders, or risky behaviors. Resilience won’t make your problems go away. But resilience can help you see past them, find ways to enjoy life and better handle stress. If you aren’t as resilient as you’d like to be, you can learn skills to become more resilient.

Adapting to tough times

Resilience means being able to cope with tough events. When something bad happens, you still feel anger, grief and pain. But you’re able to keep going, both physically and psychologically. Resilience isn’t about putting up with something tough or coping on your own. In fact, being able to reach out to others for support is a key part of being resilient.

Resilience and mental health

Resilience can help protect you from mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety. Resilience also can help you deal with things that increase the risk of mental health conditions, such as being bullied or having trauma. If you have a mental health condition, being resilient can help you cope better.

Tips to improve your resilience

If you’d like to become more resilient, try some of these tips:

• Get connected. Building strong, healthy relationships with loved ones and friends can give you needed support and help guide you in good and bad times. Connect with others by volunteering or joining a faith or spiritual group.
• Make every day have meaning. Do something that gives you a sense of success and purpose every day. Set clear goals that you can reach to help you look toward the future with meaning.
• Learn from the past. Think of how you’ve coped with troubles in the past. Think about what has helped you through tough times. You can even write about past events in a journal to help you see the patterns of how you behave and to help guide you in the future.
• Stay hopeful. You can’t change the past, but you can always look toward the future. Being open to change makes it easier to adapt and view new challenges with less worry.
• Take care of yourself. Tend to your own needs and feelings. Do activities and hobbies you enjoy. Include physical activity in your daily routine. Get plenty of sleep and make bedtime rituals. Eat a healthy diet. Practice how to manage stress. Try ways to relax, such as yoga, meditation, guided imagery, deep breathing or prayer.
• Take action. Don’t ignore your problems. Instead, figure out what you need to do, make a plan and take action. It can take time to recover from a major setback, trauma or loss. But know that your life can improve if you work at it.

 Biblical Foundation:

Biblical stories of resilience: Job, Jacob wrestling, Noah building in the face of mockery and criticism, the apostle Paul w/ Silas in Prison.

Nobody is more resilient than Jesus.

Jesus when he was in the garden.

He modeled resilience.

 

Conclusion:

CLIMB

C-Change Your Thoughts

L-Lean into Your Purpose

I-Immerse Yourself in Community

M- Manage it

B- Build Resilience

Review of CLIMB

As we progressed through our talk today, I want each of you to think about one aspect of CLIMB that really resonated with you?

C- Change Your Thoughts -Do you struggle with thoughts that tell you can’t do something or you are not good enough? Are those thoughts acting as a blockade in an area of your life where God wants to do something? Like leading a small group… or serving on the Dream Team… or encouraging someone with your testimony….?

L – Lean Into Your Purpose – What is something that you are passionate about? What would it look like to walk in your passion in the kingdom of God? I’ve heard it said before: “everyone is a 10 in something.” What is your 10? Where are you in bringing your 10 to God.

I – Are you connected? If no, what is stopping you – are you willing to ask God to help you get connected so that you can thrive. If yes, are you willing to take the next step – become a facilitator of connection (leading a small group, co-lead a small group).

M – What is something in your life, if changed, would bring positive emotional and/or physical benefits? Same question, but in relation to God, what change would bring you closer to God? What is your current motivation to change? Are you willing to ask God for help and guidance today?

B – What is an area of your life that you want to build resilience in?

 

 

Chris Returns

Call to Action

#1 CLIMB

 -What will it take for you to win you thought battle?

#2 Move from PRE-CONTEMPTAION

 -Your Decision is necessary

#3 God cares about your thoughts.

 -Change your thoughts right now.

 -Pray & Worship