Mental and Physical Wellness: Resources & Support

In the darkness of my mental health struggles, the pursuit of wellness emerges as a guiding light of hope and resilience. Along this journey from grappling with mental health challenges to navigating disordered eating behaviors and finding strength and resilience through fitness, I’ve discovered invaluable guidance and support in an array of resources. From organizations dedicated to mental health advocacy and eating disorder awareness to essential fitness tools for motivation, these resources serve as beacons, illuminating the path toward empowerment and self-discovery.

Below, I share a glimpse of my go-to resources and why they hold such profound value to me. Whether you’re navigating your own mental health struggles, seeking healing and recovery, or drawing inspiration for your fitness journey, I hope you’ll find solace and support in the insights shared here.

Mental Health Resources

Note: The resources listed below are not exhaustive but have helped me throughout my mental health journey. Through advocacy, awareness, education, research, and community, these organizations seek to advance mental health and initiate change.

Mental Health Organizations

Mental Health America (MHA)

• Who?: Founded by Clifford W. Beers, who struggled with bipolar disorder and suicidal ideation.
• What?: A nonprofit organization that provides educational resources on mental health issues and supports individuals in getting treatment and finding recovery.
• When?: Established in 1909.
• Why?: Committed to destigmatizing mental illnesses and connecting people to resources.

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

• Who?: Founded by Harriet Shetler and Beverly Young, mothers of sons with schizophrenia.
• What?: An organization focused on raising awareness and advocacy on mental illnesses.
• When?: Founded in 1979.
• Why?: Dedicated to shaping the future of mental health through public events and outreach.

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

• Who?: Harry S. Truman signed the National Mental Health Act, which led to the founding of NIMH.
• What?: A federal agency that researches mental disorders and maintains a comprehensive database of clinical information.
• When?: Established in 1949.
• Why?: Their efforts aim to raise understanding and develop knowledge on mental disorders to prevent and treat them. I’ve used NIMH extensively to gain insight into my own mental health and its connection to the body.

Brain and Behavior Research Foundation

• Who?: Led by Jeffrey Borenstein, M.D. — associated with the American Psychiatric Association and a Fellow of the New York Academy of Medicine.
• What?: A global nonprofit providing grants to fund research for mental illnesses to treat brain and behavior disorders.
• When?: Established in 1987.
• Why?: All donations go toward research, aiming to understand and prevent mental illnesses.

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP)

• Who?: Founded by a small group of individuals who each lost someone to suicide.
• What?: A health organization dedicated to education and advocacy in suicide prevention.
• When?: Founded in 1987.
• Why?: Committed to connecting people with resources, including a 24/7 lifeline for help.

Other Organizations

• International Association for Suicide Prevention
• Active Minds
• American Psychiatric Association
• American Psychological Association
• Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA)

Mental Health Book Recommendation

No Mud No Lotus by Thich Nhat Hanh

• Author Credibility: Zen Buddhist monk
• Topics: Spirtuality, Mental Health, Mindfulness
• Messages:
  • Suffering is necessary for happiness. 
  • We must train our bodies and minds to cultivate this happiness. 
  • He emphasizes the connection of mind and body and its importance in healing.

Eating Disorder Support and Resources

Note: Through my journey with disordered eating, I’ve discovered the resources below. These have been instrumental in learning more about disordered eating, finding support, and discovering the stories of others. As I’ve recognized my own barriers to getting a diagnosis and/or treatment, I’ve used these resources for other avenues of support and community.

Eating Disorder Organizations

National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA)

• Who?: Formed as a result of a merger between Eating Disorder Awareness and Prevention (EDAP) and the American Anorexia Bulimia Association (AABA).
• What?: A nonprofit organization that provides educational resources and connects those struggling with eating disorders to care.
• When?: Established in 2001.
• Why?: Offers a wide range of support programs and events to raise eating disorder awareness and outreach.

Project HEAL

• Who?: Founded by Liana Rosenman and Kristina Saffran—both women struggled with anorexia nervosa.
• What?: A nonprofit dedicated to helping everyone receive access to treatment for their eating disorder.
• When?: Established in 2008.
• Why?: Provides free resources to break down barriers to seeking treatment.

Eating Disorder Hope

• Who?: Founded by Jacquelyn Ekern who battled and recovered from an eating disorder and is a licensed eating disorder therapist.
• What?: An online community dedicated to eating disorder recovery.
• When?: Established in 2005.
• Why?: Offers a plethora of free information and resources to help individuals heal and recover.

National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD)

• Who?: Founded by Vivian Meehan—her daughter struggled with anorexia.
• What?: The leading nonprofit for eating disorders, focusing on peer support.
• When?: Founded in 1976.
• Why?: Provides free guides, blogs, webinars, and support groups for recovery.

Multi-Service Eating Disorders Association (MEDA)

• Who?: Founded by Rebecca Manley who suffered and recovered from an eating disorder.
• What?: A nonprofit organization that provides therapy, support groups, and educational resources to prevent and treat eating disorders
• When?: Established in 1994.
• Why?: Focuses on compassion, community, and inclusivity to reject weight stigmas and biases.

National Alliance for Eating Disorders

• Who?: Founded by Johanna Kandel who struggled with various eating disorders over a ten-year period and achieved recovery.
• What?: A nonprofit with qualified professionals to help individuals find care and recover.
• When?: Established in 2000.
• Why?: Dedicated to driving eating disorder change. Johanna wrote a book on her journey with eating disorders. She also leads weekly support groups and has been involved with numerous outreach efforts.  

Eating Disorder Books

Sick Enough by Jennifer L. Gaudiani

• Author Credibility: Board-Certified internal medicine physician
• Topic: Eating Disorders, Health
• Messages:
  • Anyone suffering from an eating disorder is worthy of recovery and support. 
  • Eating disorders cause serious medical complications, and they can affect anyone, at any size. 
  • Weight bias, the belief that one is not “sick enough,” and a flawed healthcare system are just a few of the barriers that keep individuals from seeking treatment and getting the support they need to recover from an eating disorder.

Life Beyond Your Eating Disorder by Johanna S. Kandel

• Author Credibility: Personal experience with an eating disorder; founder of The National Alliance for Eating Disorders
• Topic: Eating Disorders
• Messages:
  • Through personal anecdotes, Johanna details the profound impact of eating disorders, highlighting that full recovery is possible. 
  • She addresses the link between perfectionism and disordered eating behaviors. 
  • Eating disorders offer a false sense of control and an escape from reality. 

Fitness Essentials

Throughout my mental health journey, fitness has served as beacon of light. Beyond physical strength, fitness is a metaphor for inner strength, perseverance, and resilience as I grow mentally and physically stronger with each passing day.

Below are two of the apps I use for fitness inspiration and guidance, as well as a fitness apparel brand I support. 

Fitness Apps

Hevy

• What?: An app to track fitness workouts.
• Why?:
  • Allows creation of custom workouts.
  • Tracks fitness metrics (reps, sets, volume, etc.).
  • Uses charts and graphs to easily measure progression over time.

MuscleWiki

• What?: Fitness tool with a large database of exercises and workouts.
• Why?:
  • Interactive body for targeted muscle groups.
  • User-friendly navigation.
  • Helpful videos and tutorials for all fitness levels.

Fitness Apparel

Vital Apparel

• What?: An active wear brand.
• Why?: Supports mental health—a percentage of their profits go to The Brain and Behavior Research Foundation.

Continuing the Journey: The Path to Wellness

As I navigate my own journey towards self-discovery, healing, and wellness, I leverage the various tools and resources that are available. While the list shared here offers a solid foundation, my journey, much like yours, is unique and ever-evolving. Thus, I continue to seek our resources and support to guide me on the path forward. Every day presents an opportunity to learn more about mental health, disordered eating, and fitness and, ultimately, discover insights into myself.

Striving towards mental and physical wellness, I acknowledge that this journey, with its ups and downs, is integral to my growth. Each step brings me closer to healing and uncovering the real me. So, here’s to embracing the journey, finding strength in vulnerability, and supporting one another along the way.