RESOURCES

RESOURCES

Everybody will experience a tragic moment at one point in his or her lives.
That moment doesn’t have to define you!
When you are out and about in public, and you see that kid or adult who looks different, or speaks different, or behaves differently, don’t stare. Did they ask God to make them who they are? No. Did they do something wrong to be considered different? No. These unique and exceptional people have the right to live their lives just as you and I do. They just have to work harder for things that might come easy to you and me. However, I can guarantee you they have a gift that you’ll find fascinating and possibly, envy. See, God created everyone with their own personality, quirks and interests. You and I are different. So why discriminate against someone? You are just as different as anyone else is. It might be tucked away and hidden, but you are different, too. Let’s accept everyone. Let’s be tolerant of each other’s differences and not judge. You aren’t hurting just that person by your lack of tolerance. You’re hurting the individual’s parents, friends, family, and even yourself.
I included a number of these resources in the back of Destructive Silence and Destructive Choices. I have provided these once again because so many women and men face domestic violence every day. It is hard for those who have not walked in the shoes of the victim to understand how difficult it is to gather the courage to finally leave. I applaud everyone who has taken that step, and I pray that someone who is reading this and going through a similar situation will take a leap of faith. You are not alone, and you do not deserve to be treated with anything but the utmost respect!
Alcoholism and codependency were thought to go hand in hand until recently. This addiction affects every race, religion, and social class. It is serious and can lead to immoral activity such as child abuse, domestic violence, assault, and more. Persons afflicted with the disease usually isolate themselves from their loved ones as well as the world around. Many people turn to alcohol to cope with grief and stress. When a spouse or parent drinks to cope, they are unknowingly putting a wedge between alcohol and the ones they love. This person becomes dependent on something innate to feed their need for comfort. People with codependency often form one-sided relationships, and it can be a learned behavior often from a dysfunctional family member. A dysfunctional family member can be deemed as chemically dependent, by either alcohol or drugs, victim of physical or sexual assault or untreated mental health. Most people who fall into these categories come from families who didn’t deal with the issue they faced in a healthy way. These individuals are at risk of adapting by disengaging themselves from healthy relationships.

SUICIDE
You are NOT alone!
1.800.SUICIDE (1.800.784.2433)
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1.800.273.8255
Please learn the risk factors and warning signs so that you can help someone. When there are multiple risk factors, the risk of an attempt is much greater.
Suicide.org
·      Suicide.org's mission is to prevent suicides, support suicide survivors, and educate the public about suicide.
·      http://www.suicide.org/index.html
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP)
·      AFSP is the nation's leading organization bringing together people across communities and backgrounds to understand and prevent suicide, and to help heal the pain it causes.
·      http://www.afsp.org
BIPOLAR DISORDER
You are NOT crazy and you cannot change your genetic material!
Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is a brain disorder. Those who suffer from the disorder and are left untreated can have poor school and/or job performance, damaged relationships, unproductive lives that can all lead to suicide. The normal ups and downs that everyone experiences are much stronger, even severe.
International Bipolar Foundation
·      International Bipolar Foundation's mission is to eliminate Bipolar Disorder through the advancement of research; to promote and enhance care and support services; and to erase associated stigma through public education.
·      http://www.internationalbipolarfoundation.org
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
·      NIMH's mission is to transform the understanding and treatment of mental illness through basic and clinical research, paving the way for prevention, recovery, and cure.
·      http://www.nimh.nih.gov
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
·      NAMI is the nation's largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of American affected by mental illness. NAMI advocates for access to services, treatment, supports and research and is steadfast in its commitment to raise awareness and build a community for home for all of those in need.
·      http://www.nami.org
CHILD ABUSE
Because it is NOT okay to hurt a child - they may hurt MORE than you realize!
CHILDHELP
·      Prevention and Treatment of Child Abuse
·      Their mission is to meet the physical, emotional, educational, and spiritual needs of abused, neglected, and at-risk children. We focus our efforts on advocacy, prevention, treatment, and community outreach.
·      National Child Abuse Hotline: 1800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453). Calls are taken 24/7.
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
It is NOT okay-There are NO excuses!
U.S. National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) and TTY 1-800-787-3224.
The National Domestic Violence Hotline
·      Providing advocacy, safety planning, resources and hope.
·      http://www.thehotline.org/
DomesticViolence.org
·      Domesticviolence.org offers information for those who have lived with abuse and those who are currently being abused.
·      http://www.domesticviolence.org
Many abusers are so controlling their victims are not allowed to use the phone or internet. If you are in need to use the internet to report abuse and cannot get to a safe computer, both of the links above have quick access to the information you need. But remember, there is always a trail.
BE safe, but most of all, BE smart!
CODEPENDENCY
You do NOT need someone else to make you happy!
Co-dependency is an emotional and behavioral condition that affects an individual’s ability to have a healthy relationship. It is also known as “relationship addiction” because people with codependency often form or maintain relationships that are one-sided, emotionally destructive and/or abusive.
Mental Health America
·      1-800-273-TALK http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/go/codependency
ALCOHOL AND DRUG ADDICTION
You do NOT have to use it to cope!
The main symptom that defines an alcoholic is if the person continues to drink once it’s caused problems with work, relationships, drinking and driving occurring on a continued basis. If you have concerns, there are a number of resources out there that can help.
·      Alcoholics Anonymous - www.alcoholics-anonymous.org
·      Al-Anon/Alateen - www.al-anon.org
·      National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism - http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohol-health
·      Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration - www.samhsa.gov
TEEN PREGNANCY
You have options. You have support. You are NOT alone!
Centers for Disease Control offers resources for parents and teens from prevention to parenthood. CDC advocates a national campaign to prevent teen and unwanted pregnancies. You can find more information on the link below.
The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services can help you find a family planning clinic. Use the link below.
MISSING AND EXPLOITED CHILDREN
Report crimes against children!
24-Hour HOTLINE 1.800.THE.LOST (1.800.843.5678)
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC)
·      NCMEC is the leading nonprofit organization in the U.S. providing assistance to law enforcement and families to find missing children, reduce child sexual exploitation and prevent child victimization.
·      http://www.missingkids.com/home
DISABILITIES
Being unique is a beautiful blessing!
If you or someone you know has a disability or learning difference, I cannot stress enough about the importance to learn the law and their rights. Do not expect information to fall into your lap.
Americans with Disabilities Act
·      The U.S. Department of Justice provides information about the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) online and through a toll-free
·      ADA Information Line. 1-800-514-0301 (voice) 1-800-514-0383 (TTY)
·      http://www.ada.gov
National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities
·      For more than 2 decades, NICHCY has been the center providing information to the nation on: disabilities in children and youth; programs and services for infants, children, and youth with disabilities; IDEA, the nation’s special education law; and research-based information on effective practices for children with disabilities.
·      http://nichcy.org after September 2014 visit http://www.parentcenterhub.org
Wrights Law

·      For legal advice regarding Special Education, please speak to an attorney. Valuable facts regarding the law can be found http://www.wrightslaw.com

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