Today, I am launching Natural Healing Hope website and blog in memory of our son Joshua. He would have been 26 today. Sadly his life was cut short by suicide when he was only nineteen.
About Joshua
Joshua was diagnosed with bipolar disorder when he was in 10th grade. Before high school, he was a happy, intelligent, creative and talented boy. Josh had a big heart and a life full of promise. In spite of his struggles with this illness, he still graduated with good grades and a scholarship to study music in college. He loved to sing.
He was so excited to go to college, live on his own, and pursue his dream. Unfortunately, he only lasted two months until things unraveled for him and we needed to bring him home.
How we lost him
We tried everything to get him help with doctors, psychiatrists, counselors, and hospitalizations. We took the advice of all the medical professionals. However, an endless cycle began of trying different prescription drugs that only made him worse and more unstable. All of these drugs had side effects, the worst being suicidal thoughts and ideations. Doctors told us that the benefits outweighed the potential risks. Every mental health crisis led to another hospitalization with more med changes. Then after a short hospital stay, he would be discharged only to be worse and more unstable. There were more suicidal thoughts, ideations, plans, and attempts.
It was a terrible cycle that turned our lives upside down. No matter how hard we tried to help him and no matter how hard we tried to keep him safe, we still lost him. On August 6th, 2010, in a moment we let our guard down because he seemed to be doing better, he took his life. We were completely devastated.
Here we go again
After dealing with grief and trying to keep our family together, we started heading down the same path again with another child. This time with our youngest child who had depression and severe anxiety. Again, we faithfully followed all the medical advice we received, and our daughter dutifully took all her medications. We went through one mental health crisis after another with hospitalizations as well. I became terrified I would lose her as well if I didn’t find another way.
Looking for another way
After doing months of research, I finally discovered there is another way… a natural healing approach to mental illness. I learned so much that made sense to me. It completely changed my view of medicine and psychiatry. The book that started it all for me was Med-Free Bipolar, by Aspen Morrow. (I will write more about this book in future posts. If you are looking for a place to start now, check out her book on Amazon.)
After reading Aspen’s book, we decided to start following a different approach. This new path was long and hard but produced wonderful fruit. We had a whole new daughter who came to life before our eyes. It not only transformed her life but it also changed the lives of our entire family. We went from being hopeless and full of fear to full of hope for a better future and a better life.
- 5 Books That Changed My Mindset on Mental Health Treatment Options
- Psychiatric Drugs & Kids: Think Twice About the RX Option
- How to Safely Wean off Of Psychiatric Medications
- A Nutritional Supplement for Brain Health That Can Change Your Life
- Tips for Getting Started On Your Natural Health Journey
The results of our natural healing path
This journey has changed the direction of our whole family as we have learned a new way to live. So much of what I have learned I had absolutely no idea about before. It feels like I was blind before and now I see. Previously I just blindly trusted so many things from the advice of medical professionals to the food we eat and the water we drink. Boy, I wish I had the chance to do life over again with knowing all that I now know.
So many people are experiencing mental or physical health issues. Sadly, most being led like blind sheep through an endless journey leading to declining health. They are being prescribed meds that are designed to alleviate symptoms without getting to the cause in the first place. Most of these drugs have side effects and long-term health consequences (yet these facts are frequently not mentioned or minimized). For many, it is a never-ending cycle that leads to declining health, more drugs, and more side effects.
Why I started Natural Healing Hope
I feel compelled to share our experience with others and to share what we have learned along the way. Hopefully, I can help inspire others to pursue a path toward natural healing. I don’t claim to have all the answers. Each person has their own unique mental and physical health issues. Everyone’s path of healing will be different. I merely want to inspire people to think outside of the box and think for themselves. I hope to encourage others to do their research and to ask the tough questions. Ultimately, I want others to know there is another way and there is hope.
Wishing you JOY in your journey!
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Oh Laura, thank you so much for sharing the family journey and I pray and hope it helps others and I pray that our other family members read this and take hope.
love you and blessings!!