Resources
Critical Connections
Suicide Hot Lines
We wish we had known these lines are not just for the individuals considering suicide. We who love and care for them can also call for help and consultation.
1.800.273.TALK and 1.800.SUICIDE – National Suicide Prevention phone lines.
Find a number for your county’s mental health agency, as well. They are not only in your region, but they may know of other resources and support groups in your area.
For website addresses of additional suicide prevention organizations, see Concerns about Suicide.
Online References
Helpguide – Our current favorite, at www.helpguide.org, provides a clear, easy to use website full of countless amazing articles on almost every topic. Best of all, a lot of heart and unique insight is presented.
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) – A veritable powerhouse, their website, www.nami.org, is packed with information. We can look up symptoms, read about specific disorders, discover useful articles, educational opportunities, and find local contacts.
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) – Another strong source of information and connection, their website address is www.dbsalliance.org.
(Note: Both NAMI and DBSA facilitate local support groups.)
Support Groups
Finding even one other person who experiences and understands our challenges can provide immeasurable comfort and companionship. Connecting with others brings a fresh strength and promise.
Books*
Excellent Books on Mental Illness
Bipolar Disorder Demystified: Mastering the Tightrope of Manic Depression
by Lana R. Castle (Marlowe & Company, New York, NY, 2003).
The Depression Cure: The 6-Step Program to Beat Depression without Drugs**
by Dr. Stephen Ilardi, Ph.D. (Da Capo Press, a member of the Perseus Books Group, Cambridge, MA, 2009).
The Essential Family Guide to Borderline Personality Disorder: New Tools and Techniques to Stop Walking on Eggshells
by Randi Kreger (Hazeldon, Center City, MN, 2008).
The Family Guide to Mental Health Care
by Lloyd I. Sederer, MD (W.W. Norton & Company, New York, NY, 2013).
Helping Someone with Mental Illness: A Compassionate Guide for Family, Friends, and Caregivers**
by Rosalynn Carter with Susan K. Golant (Times Books, a division of Random House, Inc., New York, NY, 1998).
How I Stayed Alive When My Brain Was Trying to Kill Me: One Person’s Guide to Suicide Prevention**
by Susan Rose Blauner (Quill, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, New York, NY 2002).
Loving Someone with Bipolar Disorder: Understanding and Helping Your Partner**
by Julie A. Fast and John D. Preston, Psy.D. (New Harbinger Publications, Inc., Oakland, CA, 2004).
Overcoming Borderline Personality Disorder: A Family Guide for Healing and Change**
by Valerie Porr, M.A. (Oxford University Press, Inc., New York, NY, 2010).
Manageable Psychology To Help Us Help Our Children
The Dialectic Behavior Therapy Skills Workbook: Practical DBT Exercises for Learning Mindfulness, Interpersonal Effectiveness, Emotion Regulation & Distress Tolerance
by Matthew McKay, Ph.D., Jeffrey C. Wood, Psy.D., Jeffrey Brantley, MD (New Harbinger Publishers, Inc., Oakland, CA, 2007).
Extra Titles for Parents with Younger Children
The Bipolar Child: The Definitive and Reassuring Guide to Childhood’s Most Misunderstood Disorder
by Demitri Papolos, MD and Janice Papolos (Three Rivers Press, New York, NY, 2007).
The Difficult Child
by Stanley Tureki, MD, with Leslie Tonner (Bantam Books, New York, NY, 1985).
Not Specific to Mental Illness, but Supportive for Parenting through Tough Times
Sticking with Your Teen: How to Keep from Coming Unglued No Matter What
by Joe White with Lissa Halls Johnson (Tyndale House Publications, Inc., Carol Stream, IL, 2006).
In A Class by Itself– Should be Read by Every Parent, Educator, and Human
Emotional Intelligence
by Daniel Goleman (Bantam Books, New York, NY, 1995).
Top Reads for Compassionate, Relational Parenting
Between Parent and Child: The Best Selling Classic That Revolutionized Parent-Child Communication**
by Dr. Haim Ginott (Three Rivers Press, Random House Inc., New York, NY, orig. pub. 1965, revised and updated by Dr. Alice Ginott and Dr. H. Wallace Goddard, 2003).
The Power of Validation: Arming Your Child Against Bullying, Peer Pressure, Addiction, Self-Harm & Out-of-Control Emotions
by Karyn D. Hall, Ph.D. and Melissa H. Cook, LPC (New Harbinger Publications, Inc., Oakland, CA, 2012).
Raising an Emotionally Intelligent Child
By John Gottman, Ph.D., with Joan DeClaire (Simon & Schuster Paperbacks, New York, NY, 1997).
Additional Titles for Compassionate, Relational Parenting
How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk
by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish (HarperCollins, New York, NY, 1999).
Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids: How to Stop Yelling and Start Connecting
by Dr. Laura Markham (A Perigree Book Published by the Penguin Group, New York, NY, 2012).
For Our Own Personal Strength, Support, Acceptance, and Coping
Acceptance Therapy
by Lisa Engelhardt, illustrated by R.W. Alley (One Caring Place, Abbey Press, St. Meinrad, IN, 1992).
The Chemistry of Joy Workbook: Overcoming Depression Using the Best of Brain Science, Nutrition, and the Psychology of Mindfulness
by Henry Emmons, MD, Susan Bourgerie, MA, LP, Carolyn Denton, MA, LN, and Sandra Kacher, MSW, LICSW (New Harbinger Publishers, Inc., Oakland, CA, 2012).
The Depression Cure: The 6-Step Program to Beat Depression without Drugs**
by Dr. Stephen Ilardi, Ph.D. (Da Capo Press, a member of the Perseus Books Group, Cambridge, MA, 2009).
For Advocacy and Hope on a Broader Scale
Within Our Reach: Ending the Mental Health Care Crisis
by Rosalynn Carter with Susan K. Golant and Kathryn E. Cade (Rodale, Inc., New York, NY, 2010).
For Inspiration and Positive Forward Motion
Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead
by Brene Brown, Ph.D., LMSW (Gotham Books, a member of Penguin Group, Inc., New York, NY, 2012).
*The internet provides numerous additional resources. Also, most books offer lengthy book lists in an appendix. Our page lists only those with which we have had personal and positive experience, not an exhaustive list of everything read or available.
**Highlighted in Vital Books.
Additional Offerings
How to Cope When Your Loved One Is in the Psychiatric Hospital by Kimberly Griffin
How to Help and Encourage Your Child Who Has Been Diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder, Major Depression, or Borderline Personality Disorder: Speaking to the Heart of Your Hurting Child by Kimberly Griffin
