Teen Depression and Self-harm – 348

How can we use our recovery tools to help us when our loved ones are suffering from mental illness? Is it harder when our loved one is our child? Roberta shares her experience, strength, and hope around these questions. Our conversation was guided by these questions. * How/when did you come to Al-Anon?* Give as much or as little of that journey as you wish.* How and when did you realize your daughter’s problems?* What was your initial reaction / response to them?* What program tools are you using to support her and to keep your own “sanity”?* Serenity Prayer* A place to go — program friends* Meetings — Zoom!* “This too shall pass” — the wave comes in and then it goes out* Podcast.* Loving Detachment* Acceptance* Boundaries (around what we can do)* Live in the moment — One day at a time.* Prayer* Hope (without expectations?)* What else?* How is this experience similar to your earlier experience with alcoholism?* How is it different?* How does the fact that she is your child and still a minor make a difference in * What you do?* What you feel you should do?* What you can do?* What others are telling you you should do?* What are your fears?* Where are you today, emotionally and spiritually?* What might you say to other parents who have similar struggles? Readings and Links We read from the Al-Anon pamphlet 3 Views of Al-Anon, the section titled :”An Open Letter from an Alcoholic”, and the book Discovering Choices, Chapter 10. A couple of listeners wrote about the podcast Poetry Unbound. A listener wrote in response to a question about using recovery to deal with food issues, recommending Overeaters Anonymous. Upcoming topics Upcoming topics include “Service”, and “What qualifies your for Al-Anon?” Please call us at 734-707-8795 or email [email protected] to share on either of these topics. Music from the Show https://youtu.be/mI3au4KM4xM Nina Simone – Feeling Good Rachel Platten – Fight Song Eminem – Not Afraid (Explict) Eminem – Not Afraid (Clean)