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Resource List - Places That Can Help You Heal Your Beautiful Self

  • Writer: ronisharp
    ronisharp
  • Feb 15, 2018
  • 20 min read

Updated: Mar 25, 2019

The picture I chose for today is of me and my beautiful Daddy. I chose this picture, because several of the organizations on this Resource List helped us when I was his caregiver. We met many wonderful people who not only lightened our load but offered us compassionate friendship. We will always be grateful for everything they did for us.


Even though this information is in the Resource List, I want to begin by asking you to please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) if you now or ever feel suicidal.


Some people have ridiculed me for doing a Resource List when a person can call 211 and there are resource lists at many agencies. I can understand that; however, a recent experience reminded me why I started this list. I was, actually still am, helping someone in a difficult situation find resources to help them. The help they needed was outside the scope of this list, so we had to start from scratch. Hundreds of calls, referrals, meetings, broken promises, etc., and we still haven't found any real help. A new search reminded me of the beginning of my journey - a journey that is catalogued in the five shelf book shelf in my office that is stuffed to the gills with paperwork that I filled out in a desperate attempt to get help for the person I was caring for when I was a caregiver. The files in my desk of places we actually found help is about two inches thick or less. Being poor or having a special need is a full-time job. That is why I started a resource list. Every resource that ends up on this list actually helped me, someone I was helping, or someone who was helping me. On the other hand, I understand that funding changes, personnel changes, etc. can change the efficiency of any agency. If you feel one of these resources should be removed from this list, please start a conversation by leaving a comment on this post. Please also do that if you have an agency you feel should be added to the list.


I found that over 90% of the organizations that helped us employed very warm and compassionate people. I wish I could say that every time you reach out for help you will be greeted with that warmth and compassion, but that may not always be the case. I share this warning so you will not have pie-in-the-sky expectations that leave you blind-sided on the rare occasion that you don't receive warmth and compassion. My recommendation is that if something doesn't feel good, separate yourself from that organization so you can figure out in a safe space what your next steps should be. I see a counselor, and one piece of advice she gave me has been so helpful - listen to your gut and not your head. Your head might replay old tapes that will keep you clinging to an unhealthy familiar, but your gut never lies. If your gut is sending you a warning, I recommend you separate and figure out why in a safe space.


I used to believe that organizations that help people would always have my best interest at heart (and most of the time they did) until my father was abused in a nursing home, a church put such legalistic expectations on our illness and caregiver trials that they almost broke us (I guess they hadn't read Luke 11:37-54), and a support group leader triggered and verbally attacked me for no good reason in a support group meeting. I do not say this to deter you from reaching out to the agencies on this list. As I said before, the agencies that I put on this list are not random. They were chosen because they helped me or someone I know well, so most of the time you will receive compassionate support. I only say this so you will be prepared with a Plan B that will allow you to get yourself to a safe space as soon as possible if things don't go the way they should. After having been harmed in a support group, I talked with several trusted counselors and support group leaders to learn the ground rules of how a support group should be run. The main points I took away from that conversation were: * People who attend support groups are vulnerable. Their safety and comfort are the top priority. If anything happens to violate the safety and comfort of the members, the support group leaders and any body who has oversight of the group are responsible, especially if a group leader caused that harm. If that responsibility is not taken and the harmed members are victim shamed, victim blamed, or scapegoated -- find another group. If you are unsure, listen to your gut and not your head. Your head may repeat a similar familiar, but your gut will let you know if you should leave. * Even if the group leader is friends or family with the person they harm, they must be mature enough to know that personal issues must be handled with that person away from the group. In the group, all members are expecting the group leader to act as a group leader who helps them without harming them during the time allotted for the meeting. It is safest to say it is best not to attend groups led by friends or family members, but sometimes friendships arise in the groups. I was in one support group where a marriage even arose from the group, and a good one that lasted until one of the couple passed away almost ten years later. That shows that even family can arise from a support group. If a group leader chooses a meeting as a time to handle a personal conflict and it is not handle by other leaders and any other group oversight that is in place, leave that group. * It is best to have two leaders. This is so one can handle a member who might trigger or become emotional while the other one leads the group. It is also so any group leader who acts inappropriately can be redirected by the other group leaders before vulnerable members are harmed. * Trust must be established, which means anything said in the group must stay in the group. This is especially vital for group leaders. If a member finds out that a group leader has been talking bout them, that member should find another group.

* Any rules should be read before each meeting. Vulnerable people may have enough on their minds that they need the reminder.

* Some of the people I talked to said no cross talk. Some said that cross talk actually allowed members to interact more naturally and provide more help to each other. I belong to a group that allows cross talk, and we do have more natural conversation that those who attend find very helpful. Find a meeting that has the format the works for you.


RESOURCE LIST

(Updated November 13, 2018)

IF YOU FEEL SUICIDAL, PLEASE IMMEDIATELY CALL: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Telephone Number: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) (If you are a veteran, Press 1).


If you live in a State that has a Benefits Bank, you can make an appointment with one of their volunteers to get help signing up for any government benefits you are eligible for. The volunteer will help you determine what benefits you are eligible for. I recommend starting here if financial needs put some of the resources on this list out of your reach. They are currently only serving North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia, but keep watching them as I hear they will be expanding to other states. http://www.thebenefitbank.org/states/

NOTE: If you notice any websites or information have changed or are outdated, please let me know in the comments, so I can update this list. As I said before, if you have additional information you found that might help others, please make me aware so I can consider adding it to this list. You are also welcome to share your story in the comments. Thank you.


ADDICTION RECOVERY

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) Alcohol Recovery Alcoholics Anonymous United States: http://www.aa.org/ Alcoholics Anonymous List of International Meetings: http://silkworth.net/info/globalaa.html Alcoholics Anonymous Online Intergroup: http://www.aa-intergroup.org/

Narcotics Anonymous (NA) Narcotics Recovery Narcotics Anonymous United States: https://www.na.org/ Narcotics Anonymous World Services: http://webdata.na.org/events/ Narcotics Anonymous Online Chat: http://na-recovery.org/

Syringe Exchange Programs (Directory By State – National Only): https://nasen.org/directory/ (Although not NA affiliated, this seemed like a good place to share this information in case someone looking for a meeting or who has relapsed needs it. This program is for people addicted to injected substances to trade their needles for clean needles to cut down on the transmission of HIV. They offer others services such as testing, literature, etc. as well. Here is an article about how this helped one family toward recovery: http://www.womansday.com/health-fitness/wellness/a55379/help-for-parents-of-drug-addicts/


ADDICTION RECOVERY – FAMILY SERVICES

Alanon Family Groups (For The Family Members/Friends Of An Alcoholic) Alanon United States: http://www.al-anon.org/ Alanon International: http://al-anon.org/international-meetings Alanon Online: http://www.ola-is.org/

Nar-Anon Family Groups (For The Family Members/Friends Of People With Drug Addiction) Nar-Anon United States: http://www.nar-anon.org/ Nar-Anon Online: http://www.naranon.com/forum/ I apologize that I could not find an international listing for Nar-Anon. I found one for Narcanon but did not include it because it is not related to Nar-Anon but is a separate group started by L. Ron Hubbard. I do not have any experience with that group, so I do not know if it is safe.

Adult Children of Alcoholics Family Groups (National and International): http://www.meetings.adultchildren.org/find-a-meeting-search-results#results

Melody Beattie books on Codependency Here is the URL for all of her books on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Melody-Beattie/e/B00455LE2E/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1465766493&sr=8-2-ent

In alcoholic families, Scapegoating the non-alcoholic family members can be an issue. Please see the section on scapegoating below (in alphabetical order).

ADDICTION RECOVERY – GOVERNMENT RESOURCES

National Institutes (Part of National Institutes of Health) National Institute of Drug Abuse: https://www.drugabuse.gov/ National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA): www.niaaa.nih.gov

Center For Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) – OFFERS REFERALS: www.samhsa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/offices-centers/csat


ADDICTION RECOVERY – ALTERNATE RESOURCES

Rational and Secular Addiction Recovery Programs (Non-12 Step/Non-Religious): http://www.addictionrecoveryguide.org/resources/recovery/rational_and_secular (I am sharing this list of Rational and Secular Programs because the SMART Recovery Program is on it, and I know someone that worked for. I try to only share information that I know something about, so I am sharing this for the SMART Recovery information. If you try some of the other programs and they work, please share that in the comments section. If you look the left, you will also see there is a section for more information on 12-Step programs such as AA. There is also a section for religious programs, but I myself do not recommend those due to the possibility that addiction may be seen as sin or a moral failing. If you want to try them though, the list is there.)


CAREGIVER SUPPORT

Community Medicaid versus Institutional Medicaid (differences in property retrieval laws): http://www.eldernet.com/lawover.htm

National Family Caregiver Support Program: https://aoa.acl.gov/aoa_programs/hcltc/Caregiver/index.aspx

What Caregiver Support Is Available In My Area section on this Medicare website: https://www.cms.gov/Outreach-and-Education/Outreach/Partnerships/Downloads/AskMedicareCaregiverSupport.pdf

Tips on how to be paid for being a family caregiver so you can maybe leave your job and have more balance: https://www.caring.com/articles/payment-for-family-caregiver AND http://www.aoa.gov/AoA_programs/HCLTC/Caregiver/index.aspx

Article About Supporting Caregivers (share this with your family and friends): http://www.createthegood.org/articles/supportingcaregivers

Article About What Caregivers Really Need (share this with your family and friends): https://theimperfectcaregiver.com/2015/05/30/dr-phil-you-let-caregivers-down-and-i-challenge-you-to-do-better/ Road Scholars Caregiver Support Grant (pays for elder care to allow caregivers to go on a Road Scholar vacation to get a rest): https://www.roadscholar.org/about/financial-assistance/caregiver-grants/

Catholic Charities of Southwestern Ohio (Sorry - SW Ohio only) Caregiver Support Groups: https://ccswoh.org/cansupport/


CAREGIVER SUPPORT - ALZHEIMERS ASSISTANCE

Bayley Place Adult Day Care (Cincinnati, OH Only) Memory Care Unit: https://www.bayleylife.org/BayleyServices/AdultDayProgram


CAREGIVER SUPPORT – ELDER ABUSE REPORTING

Video of young man who recovered from a coma and explained that every care facility had abuse: https://www.littlethings.com/martin-pistorius-coma-12-years-ghost-boy/ US Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Community Living: http://www.aoa.acl.gov/AoA_Programs/Elder_Rights/EA_Prevention/WhatToDo.aspx (Report Elder Abuse, especially in care facilities, here).

State Medical Board: If a doctor is involved in abuse, google State Medical Board of (name of your state) complaint, and guidelines for filing a complaint should be offered to you.

State Nursing Board: If a nurse is involved in abuse, google (name of your state) state nursing board complaint, and guidelines for filing a complaint should be offered to you.

In my State (and I hope all States) it is the law that nursing homes must post in a common area the guidelines on how to make a report, so look for that information before you even admit your loved one into a nursing home. Also, if you have trouble moving your loved one from an abusive nursing home, a hospital social worker helped move my Dad while he was in the hospital. She moved him to another home instead of returning him to the old one. The hospital social worker also gave me these guidelines on the statistically best homes: 1. Church homes are usually the safest. 2. County homes are usually the second safest and best maintained. 3. Corporate owned for profit are the least safe and have the highest incidents of abuse.

When reports are made, staff may try to scapegoat the people reporting or the resident/patient. Please see the information on Scapegoating below (in alphabetical order).

ELDER ABUSE FACEBOOK GROUPS A person who is affiliated with all of the following Facebook groups who has helped me a lot is Debbie Dahmer. Following is a video of her story where she was interviewed on America Tonight: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKItMR3fSTI ElderLaw Advocates: https://www.facebook.com/groups/475120122603811/ ElderAbuse Must Stop!!!: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ElderAbusemustSTOP/ Foundation Aiding The Elderly: https://www.facebook.com/4fate.org/?fref=ts World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (sorry, only International source I could find): https://www.facebook.com/SilverInningsWorldElderAbuseAwarenessday/?fref=ts Elders Against Guardianship: https://www.facebook.com/groups/EldersAgainstGuardianship/

GUARDIANSHIP ABUSE GROUPS Kasem Cares (started by daughter of Casey Kasem after he was targeted): http://www.kasemcares.org/ Glen Campbell Is Loved (started by Glen Campbell’s children): https://www.facebook.com/groups/GlenCampbellisloved/ Mickey Rooney Video (video only; no group): http://www.cnbc.com/2014/04/10/the-double-life-of-mickey-rooney.html

MEDICAL MALPRACTICE GROUPS (3rd leading cause of death in the US) Pro-Publica Patients Safety: https://www.facebook.com/groups/patientharm/ National Medical Malpractice Advocacy Association: Contact Deirdre Gilbert-Dickson through the Pro-Publica Patient Safety Group or https://www.facebook.com/nmmaa2015

Pro-Seniors: http://www.proseniors.org/ (Sliding-fee scale to free legal services for elder care issue and elder abuse resolution. Even if not in Ohio, find out how you can support getting it expanded to other cities and states.)


CHILD ABUSE REPORTING

(See section in this post "Sexual Abuse Recovery" if you are an adult who was a victim of childhood sexual abuse and need help recovering.)


Childhelp USA (National Child Abuse Hotline) 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453)

www.childhelpusa.org


513-241-KIDS (5437) (This is the number for Cincinnati, Ohio. Call your local Job and Family Services office or local police department to see if they have a similar offering in your city.)



CULT MEMBERSHIP RECOVERY (OR FAMILY MEMBER ASSISTANCE)

Also see Religious Abuse Recovery and Religion Books That Helped Me Heal From Fundamentalism)

International Cultic Studies Association (ICSA): www.icsahome.com


FOOD

No Kid Hungry Program (Summer program for free breakfast and lunch while kids are out of school) (United States Only): To use the service, text “FOOD” to 877-877 and enter your zip code when prompted, and you will receive a location near you where where the children can go. Spanish-speakers can also text “COMIDA” to 877-877. You can also find locations on this database: https://www.fns.usda.gov/summerfoodrocks


FUNDING OPTIONS

(If your financial need is for hospital bills, contact your hospital's financial department and talk to them about available programs to write off a portion of your bill (based on income and financial need) and monthly payment plans. The financial department at the hospital who treated my father were very helpful as long as I stayed in communication so they knew I was trying.)

Hilarity for Charity Alzheimer's At Home Care Grant: http://www.caregiverstress.com/dementia-alzheimers-disease/new-grant-program-delivers-alzheimer%e2%80%99s-care-to-families-in-need/ Road Scholars Caregiver Support Grant (pays for elder care to allow caregivers to go on a Road Scholars vacation to get a break): https://www.roadscholar.org/about/financial-assistance/caregiver-grants/ GoFundMe Crowdfunding: https://www.gofundme.com/ Fundly Crowdfunding: https://doublethedonation.com/gofundme-alternatives/#fundly Booster Crowdfunding: https://doublethedonation.com/gofundme-alternatives/#booster IndieGoGo Crowdfunding: https://doublethedonation.com/gofundme-alternatives/#indiegogo GiveForward Crowdfunding: https://doublethedonation.com/gofundme-alternatives/#giveforward Pursuit Crowdfunding: https://doublethedonation.com/gofundme-alternatives/#pursuit


GRIEF SUPPORT

Online Grief Support Group: www.onlinegriefsupport.com

Local (to my area) Cincinnati, Ohio Resource, Sheila Munafo-Kanoza at Companions on a Journey: http://companionsonajourney.org/

Neidhard Minges Grief Support Group - first Sunday of every month from 1 to 3 pm (Cincinnati, Ohio area only). Contact is Janet McGrath: http://www.neidhardminges.com/ If these resource don't meet your needs, ask your local hospital social worker, a Hospice nurse, and/or the funeral director at whatever funeral home you use for their recommendations on grief support groups. They should be able to help you find a local group.


GRIEF SUPPORT - PET LOSS

Three Articles About Emotional Impact of Pet Loss: http://www.aol.com/article/2016/06/24/study-finds-losing-a-pet-is-as-hard-as-losing-a-family-member/21401437/ AND https://medium.com/@caroleraphaelle/the-loss-of-a-non-human-child-the-legitimacy-of-avegan-mothers-pain-e79404e43739#.1g0x9kwlm AND https://theconversation.com/why-losing-a-dog-can-be-harder-than-losing-a-relative-or-friend-68207?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=facebookbutton

Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement (APLB): www.aplb.org Offers online grief support both during pet's final illness and after pet passes away.

Online Grief Support Group for Pet Loss: http://www.onlinegriefsupport.com/group/lossofapet

Palliative Care and Hospice For Pets: https://www.iaahpc.org/ Palliative Care and Hospice For Pets In Cincinnati, Ohio: http://angelspaws.com/

HOMELESSNESS

Interfaith Hospitality Network (Cincinnati): http://www.ihncincinnati.org/ Phone: 513-471-1100

Will help homeless families get back in a home. Cincinnati is the city where I live, so I have their information. They are available in most large cities, but they do not yet have a list of all of their locations. I tested it today with the names of several major cities and found that if you type into Google: Interfaith Hospitality Network (add name of your city here without parentheses) and information for your local group will come up if there is one in your city. If you can't find them that way, contact the Cincinnati group and ask for help.

The ShelterHouse (Cincinnati - formerly The Drop Inn Center): http://www.shelterhousecincy.org/

The Shelter House has David and Rebecca Barron Center for Men 411 Gest Street Cincinnati, OH 45203 513.721.0643

AND

Esther Marie Hatton Center for Women 2499 Reading Road Cincinnati, OH 45202 513.562.1980

The ShelterHouse helps with shelter, employment services, and helping people get back into permanent housing for single people.

For services needed outside Cincinnati, here is a list of agencies by State: http://www.homelessshelterdirectory.org/ The Benefits Bank (To set you up with a volunteer who can help you apply for what help you are eligible for. They are currently only serving North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia, but keep watching them as I hear they will be expanding to other states): http://www.thebenefitbank.org/states/

Obama Phone (to help you make contact with the agencies who can help you): http://www.obamaphone.com/get-obama-phone Libraries now have free internet access to help you make online contact with agencies that can help you until you get an Obama Phone. Stop in a library and ask a librarian to help you. MANIPULATION = PROTECTION FROM


SEE MORE ARTICLES IN THIS BLOG (https://ronisharp.wixsite.com/mysite/blog/ ), especially those posted during the first half of 2018 that talk about learning how to protect yourself.


See Section on this list PERSONAL GROWTH - STRENGTHENING BOUNDARIES


Learning About LOGICAL FALLACIES so people can't trick you: https://yourlogicalfallacyis.com/


Google COGNITIVE DISSONANCE - Read as much as you can on this subject.


MEDICAL

See also Grief Support - Pet Loss for information on Palliative and Hospice care for pets.



MENTAL ILLNESS RESOURCES – ALTERNATIVE THERAPY POSSIBILITIES

Book: "Hypoglycemia, A Better Approach: https://www.amazon.com/Hypoglycemia-Better-Approach-Paavo-Airola/dp/093209001X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1466654549&sr=8-1&keywords=hypoglycemia+a+better+approach (Early chapters share stories of patients who were released from mental hospitals after receiving a diagnosis of and treatment for hypoglycemia).

Book: "Saving Sammy: A Mother's Fight To Cure Her Son's OCD": https://www.amazon.com/Saving-Sammy-Mothers-Fight-Cure-ebook/dp/B002MY9HMY?ie=UTF8&redirect=true (In the book you learn he was later diagnosed with Tourettes Syndrome as well.)

Dr. Ted Cole, The Cole Center For Healing: http://www.colecenter.com/


MENTAL ILLNESS - CLUSTER B PERSONALITY DISORDERS

(See information under this Mental Illness Heading on Borderline Personality Disorder, Narcissistic Behavior Disorder, Sociopaths, and Histrionic Disorder)



MENTAL ILLNESS RESOURCES - GENERAL Where mental illness is an issue, the loved ones of the person with mental illness may find themselves being scapegoated. Please see the information on Scapegoating below (in alphabetical order). Also see information on Proxy Abuse.

If the person with mental illness is self-medicating with alcohol or drug, please see the section on addiction above. Also, many of the categories under the Mental Illness headings may overlap – for example, someone with PTSD may be helped by general resources as well.

National Association for Mental Illness (NAMI) (National): https://www.nami.org/ (Family and Patient Resources) * Family: Ask for information on the Family to Family Class * Family: Ask for information on monthly LENS meetings

World Federation of Mental Health (WFMH) (International): http://wfmh.com/ (Family and Patient Resources)

National Institutes of Health: https://www.nih.gov/ (Family and Patient Resources)

National Institute of Mental Health: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/index.shtml (Family and Patient Resources)

Help Guide.org: http://www.helpguide.org/ (Patient Resource for many types of mental, emotional, and social health)

For people whose church has told them mental illness in their family/loved one is a sin and want support without that judgment: FACEBOOK GROUP CHRISTIANS AND MENTAL ILLNESS: https://www.facebook.com/groups/christiansandmentalillness/?pnref=story

Movie: The Snake Pit (This movie started legislation that improved conditions in mental hospitals.)

Book: Melody Beattie books on Codependency: http://www.amazon.com/Melody-Beattie/e/B00455LE2E/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1465766493&sr=8-2-ent (Geared toward family but could be helpful for patient if they are also codependent, i.e. living their life for the patient instead of themselves.)

Book: She Sits Up . . . After They're Gone by Linde Grace White: https://www.amazon.com/She-Sits-After-Theyve-Gone-ebook/dp/B010U9KAPA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1468031878&sr=8-1&keywords=She+Sits+Up (Family Resource – pay special attention to her chapters and references about Triggers and Transference and it may help the family member deal with behaviors; may be helpful to family and patient if childhood abuse is an issue.)

Book: The Sociopath Next Door: https://www.amazon.com/Sociopath-Next-Door-Martha-Stout/dp/0767915828/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1465766706&sr=8-1&keywords=the+sociopath+next+door (Read if you are dealing with someone who seems to lack emotions or feelings of compassion.)


MENTAL ILLNESS RESOURCES – BORDERLINE PERSONALITY DISORDER (BPD)

(See Mental Illness Resources - Cluster B Personality Disorders)

Also see information on Mental Disease - General and Mental Disease - Narcissistic Personality Disorder and information on Scapegoating. Also see information on Proxy Abuse.

BPD Family: http://www.bpdfamily.org/ (Family Resource Only) Support for loved ones of people with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)

DBT Therapy Information (believed to be helpful with BPD): http://psychcentral.com/lib/an-overview-of-dialectical-behavior-therapy/

Beverly Banov Brown: https://www.facebook.com/beverly.b.brown.73?fref=ts (Geared More Toward Family/Loved One Support) Life Coach with Facebook page whose videos have helped me a lot.

Book: Stop Walking on Eggshells: Taking Your Life Back When Someone You Care About Has Borderline Personality Disorder: https://www.amazon.com/Stop-Walking-Eggshells-Borderline-Personality-ebook/dp/B004DNXGFQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1465767064&sr=1-1&keywords=walking+on+eggshells

The Sociopath Next Door: https://www.amazon.com/Sociopath-Next-Door-Martha-Stout/dp/0767915828/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1465766706&sr=8-1&keywords=the+sociopath+next+door (For Family members – recommend reading if your patient shows an inability to feel or show compassion for others – a counselor told me this often is a factor with BPD and Borderline diagnosis.)


MENTAL ILLNESS RESOURCES - HISTRONIC DISORDER

(See Mental Illness Resources - Cluster B Personality Disorders)



MENTAL ILLNESS RESOURCES - NARCISSISTIC PERSONALITY DISORDER

(See Mental Illness Resources - Cluster B Personality Disorders)

Also see information on Mental Disease - General and Mental Disease - Borderline Personality Disorder and information on Scapegoating. Also see information on Proxy Abuse.

Narcissism Support Group on FB: https://www.facebook.com/NarcissisticFamilySupportGroup/ (Family Resource Only) Support for loved ones of people with Narcissistic Behavior Disorder

Narcissism Support Group: http://narcissist.supportgroups.com/(Family Resource Only)

Resources For Books, Online Counseling, And Support Groups: http://www.narcissismsurvivor.com/resources.html (Family Resource Only)

Article About The Behavior of Narcissists: http://ideaspots.com/things-narcissists-do/ Article About Why Empathic People May Attract Narcissists Repeatedly: http://themindsjournal.com/dear-empaths-4-types-of-narcissists-you-may-be-attracting/ MENTAL ILLNESS RESOURCES – POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (PTSD)

Adverse Childhood Experience(s) (ACES) from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) (Test to help you determine if child abuse was a factor in your PTSD): http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/acestudy/index.html AND www.cdc.gov

US Department of Veteran Affairs (VA): http://www.ptsd.va.gov/

VETERANS CRISIS LINE: 1-800-273-8255 (Press 1).


MENTAL ILLNESS RESOURCES - SOCIOPATHS

(See Mental Illness Resources - Cluster B Personality Disorders)


The Sociopath Next Door: https://www.amazon.com/Sociopath-Next-Door-Martha-Stout/dp/0767915828/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1465766706&sr=8-1&keywords=the+sociopath+next+door (For Family members – recommend reading if your patient shows an inability to feel or show compassion for others – a counselor told me this often is a factor with BPD and Borderline diagnosis.)



PERSONAL GROWTH – SELF CARE (POSSIBLE DAILY ROUTINES) In addition to the typical recommendations such as good nutrition, exercise, meditation, prayer, etc., these are some other possible recommendations that have been working for me):

Article about using creativity to heal after trauma: http://upliftconnect.com/healing-creativity/

Article about bibliotherapy and how reading can make you happier: http://www.newyorker.com/…/cul…/can-reading-make-you-happier


PERSONAL GROWTH – STRENGTHENING BOUNDARIES When a person tries to create stronger boundaries and recover, they may find themselves being scapegoated by those who don't want anything to change. Please see the information on Scapegoating below (in alphabetical order).


PETS

See also Grief Support - Pet Loss for information on grief support groups for pet loss and information about palliative and hospice care for pets.


POVERTY:

(Also See SOCIAL EDUCATION FOR IMPROVED COMMUNICATION AND RELATIONSHIPS)


Any books by Ruby K Payne (an expert in the area of the often misunderstood social implications of poverty): https://www.amazon.com/Ruby-K.-Payne/e/B001JOWHRK/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1518795266&sr=8-1-spell



PROXY ABUSE


RELIGIOUS ABUSE RECOVERY (Also see Cult Membership Recovery [or Family Member Assistance]. Also, this may cross with mental illness if the patient is having religious delusions. If that is the case, see the section on mental illness.)


Any time you start to recover from anything, you may find yourself being scapegoated by those who are threatened by change. Please also see the section on Scapegoating below (in alphabetical order). Professional Groups I am pleased to discover that the International Cultic Studies Association (ICSA) is now branching out into the area of religious and spiritual abuse. My advice is to start with them, because they have a team of professionals who have focused on the area of cults and religious abuse for decades. They have the expertise, experience, and oversight necessary to keep you safe. Anyone can start a group for any purpose, and my hope is that most of them have ground rules that will keep you safe. Unfortunately, that is not always the case; therefore, my top recommendation is ICSA. Their religion network that is branching out to spiritual and religious abuse can be found at this link: https://www.icsahome.com/helpothers/religion-network. Their home page can be found at this link: https://www.icsahome.com/home Lay Groups GOODBYE ABUSIVE CHURCH - HELLO HOLY SPIRIT HEALER - EKKLESIA: https://www.facebook.com/groups/goodbye.abuse/

Ekklesia: Biblical Gatherings of Believers 1 Cor. 14:26: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1756282128027517/


Unchurching Group: https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=unchurching%20group


Religious Recovery: Their organization is not necessarily Christian, although Christians are welcome. My experience with their approach would lead me to classify it as New Age, but all religions are welcome. I personally don't have a problem with their New Age approach. If I did, I wouldn't recommend their literature. l can in good conscience recommend their literature, which can be found on Amazon under the author name Wayne Holmes, especially any literature published prior to 2017 that was edited in a way that provided a balance between forgiveness and boundaries. I am not aware of the content of any books published after 2017. My goal in creating this Resource List is to share places that helped people instead of giving them the runaround as well as sharing places that proved to be safe. I found their literature to be safe.

For people whose church has told them mental illness in their family/loved one is a sin and want support without that judgment: FACEBOOK GROUP CHRISTIANS AND MENTAL ILLNESS: https://www.facebook.com/groups/christiansandmentalillness/?pnref=story and MATTERS OF THE MIND COMMUNITY GROUP: https://www.facebook.com/groups/mattersofthemind360/

For people who have been ostracized because of divorce: DIVORCE HOPE: http://www.divorcehope.com/godhatesdivorce.htm


For people who want progressive Christian education (Progressive Christian Education helped me heal from religious abuse, because they are usually less legalistic) and retreats:

The Transfiguration Spirituality Center (TSC)

495 Albion Avenue

Village of Glendale

Cincinnati, OH 45246

513-771-2171

Fax: 513-771-2170

AND

Education for Ministry Distance Learning at: http://efm.sewanee.edu/

Books and Videos that helped me heal from religious abuse and fundamentalism: Book: Crazy for God: How I Grew Up As One Of The Elect, Helped Found The Religious Right, And Lived To Take All (Or Almost All) Of It Back: https://www.amazon.com/Crazy-God-Helped-Religious-Almost/dp/0306817500/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1496891736&sr=8-1&keywords=crazy+for+God The Brainwashing of my Dad Documentary: https://www.amazon.com/Brainwashing-My-Dad-Matthew-Modine/dp/B01C6AFEQG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1496891046&sr=8-1&keywords=the+brainwashing+of+my+dad

"Misquoting Jesus" by Bart Ehrman (this is where I started, but I recommend any books by Bart Ehrman): https://www.amazon.com/Misquoting-Jesus-Story-Behind-Changed/dp/0060859512/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1495853797&sr=8-1&keywords=misquoting+jesus

Tape Series "How Lutherans Interpret The Bible". This is currently unavailable on Amazon, although it does show up used from time to time. This seems to be a nice supplement in the interim: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYxQsgchTT8

The Joshua Series by Father Girzone (I recommend starting with Joshua, A Parable For Today): https://www.amazon.com/Joseph-F.-Girzone/e/B000APBFFO/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_2?qid=1492830419&sr=8-2


SCAPEGOATING

SEXUAL ABUSE RECOVERY

Connections, A Safe Place: www.connectionssp.org This group is located in Cincinnati, Ohio where I live, but they offer online classes and support. I recommend you contact them to see what they can offer in your city. They are very helpful and trustworthy.


S.O.A.R. (Survivors of Abuse Recovery) Family Nurturing Center (Non-Religious): http://familynurture.org/programs-of-the-family-nurturing-center/s-o-a-r-survivors-of-abuse-recovery/

This group is located in Northern Kentucky and I am not aware of any outreach they have beyond the Greater Cincinnati area.

Linde Grace White: https://www.facebook.com/lindegrace789/?fref=ts. (Linde Grace sadly passed away on January 24, 2017. Even though personal contact is no longer an option, her books can be very helpful.) Author of Dollbaby (her own recovery story): https://www.amazon.com/Dollbaby-Triumph-Childhood-Sexual-Abuse-ebook/dp/B01E1WCBOA/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8 Author of She Sits Up . . . After They've Gone (an intermediate level healing book for survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse): https://www.amazon.com/She-Sits-After-Theyve-Gone-ebook/dp/B010U9KAPA/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

SOCIAL EDUCATION FOR IMPROVED COMMUNICATION AND RELATIONSHIPS

Book: A Framework For Understanding Poverty: https://www.amazon.com/Framework-Understanding-Poverty-Ruby-Payne/dp/1929229143/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1466751520&sr=1-3&keywords=a+framework+for+understanding+poverty (Poverty was a big issue in my book “The Blood Moon Sealed My Fate”) AND

Any books by Ruby K. Payne (an expert in the often miscunderstood social implications of poverty): https://www.amazon.com/Ruby-K.-Payne/e/B001JOWHRK/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1518795266&sr=8-1-spell

Article About Poverty In The Appalachian Mountains: http://abcnews.go.com/2020/story?id=6865077 (Some Appalachian people inspired my book “The Blood Moon Sealed My Fate.”)

Article About Poverty Among Appalachian People Who Migrated From The Appalachian Mountains: http://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2014/11/15/girls-of-lower-price-hill-cincinnati/18090143/ Article About One Girl's Success: http://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2016/06/16/girls-lower-price-hill-revisited-kelsey-graduates/85285392/ (Some similar Appalachian stories inspired my book series “The Blood Moon Series," which currently includes "The Blood Moon Sealed My Fate" and "Escape Under A Waning Crescent Moon.")

Learning About Logical Fallacies so people can't trick you: https://yourlogicalfallacyis.com/


SOCIAL EDUCATION FOR IMPROVED COMMUNICATION AND RELATIONSHIPS – RESOURCES FOR VETTING NEWS SOURCES TO AVOID HARMFUL INFORMATION AND/OR VOTING AGAINST YOUR BEST INTERESTS

A great textbook I used in college to help me better understand news speak, "Understanding News," so I could better understand the true message and not be fooled: https://www.amazon.com/Understanding-News-Studies-Culture-Communication/dp/0415039339/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1472613404&sr=8-2&keywords=understanding+news

Learning About Logical Fallacies so people can't trick you: https://yourlogicalfallacyis.com/

Snopes: www.snopes.com Article to prove snopes is an objective and accurate source: http://www.factcheck.org/2009/04/snopescom/

Politifact: www.politifact.com (Won the Pulitzer Prize)

Factcheck: www.factcheck.org OpenSecrets: www.opensecrets.org

TruthorFiction: www.TruthorFiction.com HoaxSlayer: www.hoaxslayer.com


SUICIDE PREVENTION

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Telephone Number: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) (If you are a veteran, Press 1).

International Association for Suicide Prevention Crisis Contact Information: http://www.iasp.info/resources/Crisis_Centres AND http://www.suicide.org/international-suicide-hotlines.html Mobile Crisis Units (can call in a crisis to get a crisis intervention team to come to you - the person is a danger to themselves or others, needs medical assistance, etc.) Cincinnati: http://hamilton.oh.networkofcare.org/mh/services/subcategory.aspx?tax=RP-1500.3400-650 Phone Number for Cincinnati: (513) 584-8577 Called CIT's In Other Cities. Here is a National Listing: http://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/2015_National_Directory_of_Mental_Health_Treatment_Facilities.pdf

National Institutes of Mental Health Information On Suicide Prevention: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/suicide-prevention/index.shtml Information on the semi-colon wrist tattoo suicide prevention movement: http://dailysignal.com/2015/07/09/the-moving-meaning-behind-the-viral-semicolon-tattoo/


 
 
 

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