it's ok to not be ok

As we know, there are so many struggling with mental health challenges. Everything from anxiety, worry, depression, grief, stress, trauma, and so much more. We all know someone dealing with these challenges on a daily basis. Now it's time for all of us to be honest with ourself and get the help me need. 

Along with our White Flag series, below you will find resources to help you, your family, your friends, whoever is in your life, who needs help in some way. There are organizations you can contact, prayers to help you walk through these times, music playlists to give focus as needed. Bookmark this page as you help others, and as you help yourself, through these challenges. 

*Please note that not every resource below is Christian based. Counselors and others who work in the field of mental health we know have shared most of these resources with us. 

Help resources

NATIONAL RESOURCES

National Suicide Prevention Hotline - 988 (call or text)

National Crisis Hotline - Text 'HOME' to 741741


FAIRFAX COUNTY RESOURCES

Fairfax County Suicide Prevention Hotline - 988 (call or text)

Lifeline Hotline - 800.784.2433

Fairfax County Crisis Response Team - 703.573.5679

Fairfax County Domestic Violence Hotline/Helpline - 703.360.7273 - TTY 711


LOCAL COUNSELING

Safe Harbor Christian Counseling - 800.305.2089 - For quickest response, contact The Journey: office@thejourneynova.org

App Resources

These apps can be helpful as you walk through your mental health challenges. Please note, even though most of these are free to use, to use them to their fullest extent, there may be a paid option. Except for YouVersion as it is all FREE. One other bit of information is that some of these are not Christian based, but are used by some of our Christian counselors in helping with their clients. 


APPS FOR MEDITATION

Sanvello - Free; iOS and Android

Mind Shift - Free; iOS and Android

Calm - Free; iOS and Android

Balance - Free; iOS and Android


APPS FOR JOURNALING

Day One Journal - Free; iOS and Android

Daylio Journal - Free; iOS and Android


BIBLE APPS

YouVersion Bible App - Free; iOS and Android

Abide - Bible Meditation - Free; iOS and Android

Lectio 365 - Free; iOS and Android

book, Music, podcast resources

BOOKS

Unhindered - Thirty Days; Discover Healing, Freedom, & Power Within, by Charity Byers

Anatomy of the Soul, by Curt Thompson

Soul of Shame: Retelling the Stories We Believe About Ourselves, by Curt Thompson

The Deepest Place: Suffering and the Formation of Hope, by Curt Thompson

Boundaries for Your Soul, by Alison Cook

The Best of You, by Alison Cook

Untangle Your Emotions, by Jennie Allen

We Shall All Be Changed; How Facing Death With Loved Ones Transforms Us, by Whitney Pipkin

Altogether You: Experiencing Personal and Spiritual Transformation with Internal Family Systems Therapy, by Jenna Riemersma

Breath As Prayer: Calm Your Anxiety, Focus Your Mind, and Renew Your Soul, by Jennifer Tucker

Anxious For Nothing: Finding Calm in a Chaotic World, by Max Lucado

Reset: Powerful Habits to Own Your Thoughts, Understand Your Feelings, & Change Your Life, by Debra Fileta

Out of the Cave; Stepping Into The Light When Depression Darkens What You See, by Chris Hodges

Our Polyvagel World: How Safety and Trauma Change Us, by Stephen W. Porges

Beyond the Spiral: Why You Shouldn't Believe Everything Anxiety Tells You, by Will Hutcherson

Seen: Despair and Anxiety in Kids and Teenagers and the Power of Connection, by Will Hutcherson

My Name is Hope: Anxiety, Depression, and Life After Melancholy by John Mark Comer

Grieve, Breathe, Receive by Steve Carter

A Grief Observed by C.S. Lewis

A Sorrow Shared by Henri Nouwen

Prayer in the Night by Tish Harrison Warren

Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Peter Scazzero

On Getting Out of Bed by Alan Noble

Train Yourself to Always Show Up (NYT Essay) by Sharon Brous


PODCAST

The One Inside - Tammy Sollenberger

The Place We Find Ourselves - Adam Young

With & For - Dr Pam King

Being Known - Curt Thompson

The Best of You - Alison Cook


VIDEO

Stephen Colbert Interview with Anderson Cooper on Grief


MUSIC PLAYLIST

We put together a playlist with songs to encourage you and help you worship when you're going through difficult times.

White Flag Songs

scripture to focus on

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Philippians 4:6-8 | NIV

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7 | NIV

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28 | NIV

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9 | NIV

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. 
Matthew 6:34 | NIV


“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? 

“And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? 

“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.  “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today. 

Matthew 6:25-34 | NLT


The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, 

for the Lord has anointed me

to bring good news to the poor. 

He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted

and to proclaim that captives will be released

and prisoners will be freed. 

He has sent me to tell those who mourn

that the time of the Lord’s favor has come, 

and with it, the day of God’s anger against their enemies. 

To all who mourn in Israel, 

he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, 

a joyous blessing instead of mourning, 

festive praise instead of despair. 

Isaiah 61:1-3 | NLT