If you know the story of Noah and his ark, you know he is said to have gathered up all of the animals in the world two by two and loaded them onto his boat. That, we must say, must have been a big job. The paperwork alone had to be a nightmare!
We have done a little gathering two by two ourselves, but we set a much lower—but we hope still useful—bar for ourselves. In this blog entry, we will share two documentaries, two books, and two podcasts that address mental health in one way or another.
This, it probably goes without saying, is far (very, very far!) from a comprehensive list of resources. But we hope it provides some ideas for those moments when you might be looking for more information about issues related to mental health or reassurance that you are not struggling alone.
Two Documentaries
In Nadiya Hussain: Anxiety and Me, the winner of “The Great British Bake Off” and host of “Nadiya Bakes” reveals the ways in which panic attacks disrupt her life. The documentary serves as an important reminder that even folks who seem to have everything going for them might be struggling with a mental health disorder.
The documentary Of Two Minds explores bipolar disorder with an honest—and often heartrending—portrayal of how the disorder impacts the lives of those who suffer from it as well as those who love them. Many people have no real sense of the challenges that come with the disorder, but this documentary reveals those difficulties in detail, thereby affirming the lived experience of those who are diagnosed with the disorder and providing vital education to others who want to be empathetic and helpful.
Want some more documentary suggestions? You can find more options here.
Two Books
Editor Nell Casey pulled together a collection of essays by authors who have struggled with depression. Unholy Ghosts: Writers on Depression provides a range of perspectives and also serves as a reminder that mental health disorders are common and treatable—rather than something shameful that you have to struggle with on your own. The essay format also means you can dip into the book whenever you need a short but powerful reminder that you are not alone.
The late Thích Nhất Hạnh was a Zen Master who published over 100 books in English. It is difficult to choose just one to recommend, but we might suggest starting with You Are Here: Discovering the Magic of the Present Moment. As the title suggests, the book considers the ways in which a commitment to staying in the present moment can improve your daily life and mental health.
Want some more reading options? You can find more memoir options here, and you can find more information about Thích Nhất Hạnh’s many books here.
Two Podcasts
You might not expect a podcast to bear the title The Hilarious World of Depression, but, funnily enough, it exists. Episodes feature comedians talking about their own challenges with depression. There are plenty of laughs—these are comedians, after all—but the topics are serious. This podcast wrapped up several years ago, so if you are looking for something you can start and then actually finish, this might be a great choice for you.
The Daily Meditation Podcast offers up just what the title promises—a daily meditation. Each episode is guided meditation that lasts about 10 minutes, which means you can almost certainly work this podcast into your busy schedule. Doing so is a great way to get the mental health benefits of learning to stay present rather than ruminating about the past or worrying about the future. This podcast might serve as an excellent companion to You Are Here from our book recommendations.
Looking for more podcasts to listen to? You can find more options here.
Johnston Heights Behavioral Health Can Help
Far too often, individuals struggling with a mental health disorder are reluctant to seek out help. They might convince themselves they can power through what they are experiencing. Or they might be afraid that admitting to their difficulties will cause the people closest to them to be disappointed. Or they might simply believe that mental health care is not effective.
At Johnstown Heights Behavioral Health—located in Johnstown, Colorado—we understand that deciding to get help can be hard. But we also know that we provided personalized treatment grounded in evidence, experience, expertise, and empathy—and that we can help you improve your mental health and maintain those improvements over time. If you are struggling with depression, anxiety or panic attacks, a disorder centered on trauma, schizophrenia, or another mental health condition (or if you love someone who is struggling), we can help. Take the first step toward a new beginning.
