Resources


even the darkest night will end

and the sun will rise

Victor Hugo's Les Miserables

As always, if you are in an emergency, please call 911.

Local Resources

Check out these wonderful resources to help answer questions or for more immediate support.  

couple arguing in background with young girl clutching teddybear looking away in foreground

Problems in relationships?

Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence - for relationship abuse and/or violence

Faith House - for relationship violence in the Acadiana area

Hearts of Hope - sexual assault and response for children and adult survivors 

Louisiana Foundation Against Sexual Assault - education, support, and information about sexual abuse, trauma, and exploitation

Codependents Anonymous - for those feeling overwhelmed, neglected, and out of control in relationships

Al-Anon - for friends and family members with a loved one dealing with substance use

mental health word storm

Unstable mental health/recovery?

Healing House - grief/loss

National Alliance for the Mentally Ill - support for clients and families coping with a major mental health issue

Alcoholics Anonymous - follows the 12 Steps of recovery for those with problem drinking

Narcotics Anonymous -  follows the 12 Steps of recovery for those with substance abuse concerns

Oceans Behavioral Hospital - support for psychiatric emergencies, inpatient and outpatient psychiatric stabilization

Victory Addiction Recovery Center - support for addiction recovery; detox, inpatient, and outpatient services available

Celebrate Recovery -  follows the 12 Steps of recovery for those desiring a more Christian-focused recovery path

Refuge Recovery - offering an alternative to 12 Steps though similar recovery focus

Coping Skills

There are lots and Lots and LOTS of coping skills that can be used to help live a stable, healthy life.  Below are some of our favorites.  The best thing about coping skills is that they can change over time depending on what your needs are and/or what season of life you might be in.  So even if something didn't work for you 10 years ago, you might decide to try it again and it fits perfectly into your life.

Meditation

Guided meditation uses directions to guide the listener to a specific point of focus, image to visualize, or even a sense of connection/ reconnection with a Higher Power.

Mindful meditation is a practice of being in the moment, practicing stillness, and is frequently done by beginning and ending with bells with limited audio stimulation.

Yoga is a body-mind-spirit way to connect.  With numerous styles of practice, it can support mental focus and stability as well as deepen a spiritual connection.

Exercise

Almost especially when we don't feel like it, exercise is one of the most beneficial things we can do for our mental health and mind-body-spirit health.  Getting active can be as simple or complex as you want it to be.  Some activities to try:

Go for a walk

Hike a nature trail

Bike ride through your neighborhood

Play basketball with some friends

Go swimming

Try a barre, yoga, or Zumba class

Hit a punching bag

Start kickboxing or martial arts

Distraction

Give your mind and heart a break by giving yourself some space and focusing on something totally different.  You may decide to do that with others or by yourself.

Watch a funny movie

Work on a puzzle

Read

Play a game

Create art

Listen to music

Explore a new hobby

Work on a craft

Mindfulness

Practice an "attitude of gratitude" by journaling about what you're grateful for on a daily basis.

Incorporate daily reflections at the end of your day, or start each day with an inspirational quote to set the stage for the day ahead.

Have daily - or more frequent - conversations with your Higher Power

Drink a hot cup of fragrant tea or fresh coffee and notice the warmth and smell fill you with peace

Books that Help


Addiction Recovery:

The "Big Book" of Alcoholics Anonymous

Narcotics Anonymous

NA Step Working Guide

Drop the Rock by Sara S. and Todd W. 

When the Servant Becomes the Master by Jason Z.W. Powers 

Finding Yourself:

Burnout by Emily Nagoski & Amelia Nagoski 

The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown

Braving the Wilderness by Brené Brown

Rising Strong by Brené Brown

The Gift: 12 Lessons to Save Your Life by Edith Eger

Relationships:

Codependent No More by Melody Beattie

Facing Codependency by Pia Melody

Facing Love Addiction by Pia Melody

Spirituality:

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

The Shack by Wm. Paul Young 

Siddhartha by Herman Hesse

The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz

Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis

Trauma Recovery: 

Getting Past Your Past by Francine Shapiro

Tapping In by Laurel Parnell 

The Body Keeps The Score by Van der Kolk*

*some descriptions may be triggering for readers, so proceed with caution