Fresh Hope For Mental Health

...empowering individuals with a mental health diagnosis to live a rich, full and faith-filled life in spite of having a mental health diagnosis.
Fresh Hope For Mental Health is a Weekly Podcast
Pastor Brad Hoefs, Host

Finding Emotional Satisfaction

By 4 Comments

Having a mental health issue can be and usually is life altering.  So often after coming to terms with the diagnosis and the side effects of medicine can leave you asking, “Is this as good as it gets?  Really??”  This can lead us to believe that life is “over” as we knew it.  In fact, it can lead us to actually feeling lifeless.

In the edition of Fresh Hope for Mental Health, Pastor Brad and Jason Petersen discuss how Jason found his emotional satisfaction, his “sweet spot” for living after being diagnosed.  Jason talks opening about his journey to finding his passion for life once again. 

Jason is a husband, dad, business owner and video blogger.  Be sure to check out his website at: www.JasonPetersen.com

After listening to this podcast we encourage you to email us at Podcast@FreshHope4MentalHealth.com with a comment or question that we will share on our next podcast.  Or you can leave a voice message for us on the site: www.FreshHope4MentalHealth.com

Pastor Brad Hoefs, host of Fresh Hope for Mental Health, is the founder of Fresh Hope Ministries, a network of Christian mental health support groups for those who have a diagnosis and their loved ones. In other words, Fresh Hope is a Christian mental health support group.

Brad was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 1995. He is a weekly blogger for www.bphope.us(Bipolar Magazine). He is also a certified peer specialist and has been doing pastoral counseling since 1985.

Brad is also the author of Fresh Hope: Living Well in Spite of a Mental Health Diagnosis, which is a available on Amazon or at: www.FreshHopeBook.com

If you are interested in more information about Fresh Hope go to: www.FreshHope.us or email info@FreshHope.us or call 402.932.3089.

For a complete list of where Fresh Hope groups are presently meeting go to: www.FreshHope.us and click on “find a group“.

If you are interested in starting a Fresh Hope group within you faith-community setting contact Julie at: Julie@FreshHope.us 

Fresh Hope for Mental Health is a production of Fresh Hope Ministries. Fresh Hope Ministries is a non-profit ministry.  The copyrights of this program belong to Fresh Hope Ministries and may not be duplicated with out written permission.

All of the podcasts of Fresh Hope Today as well as numerous other videos are all available on our YouTube channel: FreshHopeNetwork.

Fresh Hope Today is also available on iTunes and Stitcher Radio. 

© 2014 Fresh Hope for Mental Health, all rights reserved.

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4 comments
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Brad Hoefs
Brad Hoefs

Hi Moria,


We are so glad you found Fresh Hope!  Hopefully the book has arrived?


We are praying for you!!!  


In the near future we are going to be offering support group meetings online, kind of like using Skype.  Hope you'll be able to participate!


Blessings,

Pastor Brad 

Moira1
Moira1

@Brad Hoefs  Hi Pastor Brad,  Amazing timing with this email, I had stopped medication and been going along and then had another mental crisis and have just been back to doctor and gone back on medication.  I had received your book and got it out and read chapter one and found I could relate straight away.  I was thinking of emailing to see if you had an online support group but wasn't sure how to connect with you about it.  I went onto website but just didn't know what to do.  Then your email arrived as I was thinking I needed a support group.  So I really want to be part of this online support group if at all possible. Thanks Moira



Brad Hoefs
Brad Hoefs

@Moira1 @Brad Hoefs 


Hi Moira,


I will make sure that our program director for Fresh Hope, Perry Root, knows that you desire to be part of the online group.


I hope the book is of encouragement to you.  Praying for you!


Blessings!

Pastor Brad

mandsbennett2
mandsbennett2

I just listened to the podcast. I wanted to thank you for this as I live in Australia and there are no Christian support groups for mental health in Victoria for Bipolar except one secular.  I was diagnosed with Bipolar 1 in 2011. Driven home from work with Mania and straight to doctor and then psychiatrist who wanted to hospitalize me but my beautiful husband took time off work and looked after me at home and made sure I had medication etc.  I had another episode about 6 months later.  My husband broke down when he picked me up from work.  I felt I had to be strong some how for both of us and try my hardest to hide my illness from him as I didn't want to hurt our relationship.  So I tried everything to keep working but finally I gave up work this year and we sold our house to get out of debt so we can live on my husbands wage.  I had been trying to deny having a mental illness and trust God and seek healing through church and have done quite well.  I no longer drink alcohol and anyway I started medication again three days ago because I break down crying all the time with low mood.    I have had friends at church who have comforted me when I break down. I had left the church for a while and gone to a Christian psychologist and then went back to church.  I have just been a mess and today day two of just breaking down I searched the internet  looking for a Christian support group again and found Fresh Hope.  I have ordered the book and at least I have stopped crying for the first time in 2 days.  I love Jesus. Sometimes I just feel so alone.  I pray that God will help me to somehow help others not suffer as much as I have because of the feelings that just overwhelm me.  I keep looking to him to help me and feel he has helped me today through Fresh Hope. I want to be and live well so I can also help others who are suffering in silence.  My mum attempted suicide about two years ago and my stepfather is suffering with depression.  His best friend committed suicide at the start of this year and so mental health is a huge issue in and around my family.  God Bless you.  Moira  Cranbourne West Victoria Australia