Fresh Hope Overcomes the Hopelessness from Mental Health Issues

Omaha, Nebraska (PRWEB) November 18, 2011 According to the National Alliance for Mental Illness, one in four Americans, 57.7 million experience a mental

Despair - When hope is gone.

Omaha, Nebraska (PRWEB) November 18, 2011

According to the National Alliance for Mental Illness, one in four Americans, 57.7 million experience a mental disorder in a given year. Which means another quarter of the population if not more is affected by the mental health issue of someone they love. This is a sobering fact about mental health issues in the United States. Conservatively half of the US population is affected by mental health issues on a daily basis. Yet, its something seldom discussed. There is a shortage of mental health facilities in many states and too few beds while most states are struggling to figure out how to best meet the needs of the mentally ill. Needless to say, all of this can leave some to feel very hopeless.

Fresh Hope is a network of Christian support groups that is making a big impact in Omaha, Nebraska. Since its founding two and half years ago Fresh Hope has been able to help nearly 300 people; offering them hope. On Monday, December 5th, 2011 the next Fresh Hope group is beginning in the Omaha metro area. It will be the fourth Fresh Hope group in the area. The new group will be meeting at Dundee Presbyterian Church here in Omaha each Monday night at 7 p.m.

Pastor Brad Hoefs, founder of Fresh Hope says, The purpose of Fresh Hope is to provide a safe, non-threatening setting for people who have mood disorders, their family and friends. It is a place where they can share insights, progress and setbacks in an effort to exchange information and encouragement within a Christian context so that they might come to a point where they are not only surviving, but enjoying and finding purpose in their lives.

Within this context the participants inspire one another by confronting their problems instead of denying, complaining or blaming. And since spirituality is also part of being emotionally whole, participants also have the opportunity to inspire and encourage one another through sharing how their faith in Christ has helped them and continues to help them. Hoefs says, We find that people who attend Fresh Hope are thrilled to find a faith based recovery group where they might be open about their faith and even encourage one another spiritually. However, Hoefs notes that any sort of religious debate, religious superiority or spiritually condemning someone elses beliefs is not permitted. Hoefs said, There is no judgment, no comparison - only insight, suggestions based on common tools, identification, affection and encouragement shared between peers.

Fresh Hope is not intended to replace professional treatment such as therapy and prescribed medications when needed. Rather, Fresh Hope serves as a supplemental peer support so that members and those who love them might develop tools to help them cope with their illness on a daily basis in order to live with dignity and hope in Christ. The goal is to see people in remission from the disorder they have as a opposed to simply coping with them. Hoefs says, We are encouraging people to not become their diagnosis. Rather, Fresh Hopes approach is to encourage them to live a life of hope and fulfillment in spite of their diagnosis.

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Source : http://imentalhealth.net/mental-health-disorders/mood-disorders/fresh-hope-overcomes-the-hopelessness-from-mental-health-issues

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