IT'S OKAY TO NOT BE OKAY
You are not alone. More of us than ever are facing mental health challenges – thoughts of worry, stress, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, shame, self-harm, or suicide. Whether you’re struggling personally or supporting someone who is, these challenges can feel overwhelming. It is time to get honest about our mental health.
What to expect:
- Practical tools for your mental health journey
- Resources for supporting loved ones
- Hope and guidance through Scripture
- Real stories of healing and growth
Find a location and time that works for you at eastside.com/locations. If you are joining us for the first time, maybe you have a few questions before you come. Click on the “What To Expect” button below. You can also check out this two-minute video to learn more about this series.
Don’t forget to bookmark this page – we’ll be adding new resources and tools each week to support you and your loved ones throughout this series.
Hear from others who have traveled
this journey and found hope
The Weeds in My Garden: A Testimony of Redemption and Healing
the weeds in my garden testimony My life has often felt like a garden overrun with weeds—shame, guilt, and pain that seemed impossible to uproot. These weeds took root early, shaped by a childhood of rejection and trauma. I was adopted at 10 years old after being in the foster ...
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Crossing The Bridge To Find Freedom And Recovery
The miracle is that God shows up in our lives. Greg was fifteen when he tried meth for the first time. It took hold of Greg right away and put him on a dangerous path. The next thing he knew, he was at rock bottom. He was in and out ...
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No More Lies
It’s okay to not be okay. Have you ever felt trapped behind the words “I’m fine” when you’re anything but fine? Maybe you’ve spent years hiding your pain, looking for a safe place to be honest about your struggles and trauma. Maybe you’re seeking healing but don’t know where to ...
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A Mothers Sustaining Faith
A Mothers Sustaining Faith. My husband, Sam, and I have been married for almost eight years. We have a five-year-old son, George, and a three-year-old, John, and that sweet bear in the middle is our Maezie bear. Maezie, our daughter, would have turned one-year-old last month, but she entered heaven ...
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Freedom From Depression
I was molested as a child but not allowed to talk about it. So, it was something I had to keep to myself. I felt very isolated, scared, and alone. I had very low self-esteem and found myself experiencing depression and suicidal ideation. Even as a child, I just wanted ...
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Finding Support During Grief
My name is Nadia. I started coming to Eastside about six years ago. My husband and I became pregnant, and we were looking for a home church after I lost both my parents. My mom was diagnosed with a brain tumor and a week later she died. This sudden tragedy ...
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My Journey Towards Hope And Redemption
My Journey Towards Hope and Redemption Kyra shares her story **Trigger warning – sexual assault and suicidal thoughts.** In November I found myself in a place of deep despair and contemplated ending my life. I was very suicidal. I told my mom, and she immediately took me to the hospital. ...
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In Oceans Deep My Faith Will Stand
Joshua shares how the lyrics “In Oceans Deep My Faith Will Stand” helped him find hope & healing **Trigger warning – suicide attempt.** As a child, I was very outgoing and funny….. well I think I was funny. I also felt like the black sheep of the family. I have an older brother who seemed to get ...
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From Desperation To Finding Hope
OVERCOMING TRAGEDY: JUDAH SHARES HIS STORY OF GOING FROM DESPERATION TO FINDING HOPE. I remember I woke up in the emergency room, and all I hear are whispers. I heard words like broken back… broken neck…. and I have no idea what is going on. The hospital I am in ...
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You Are Never Alone
Armando shares his story of finding support during a difficult season During this season, it was tough for me to go to work or sometimes to be able to focus. The feeling of grief was all-consuming and overwhelming. A friend recommended GriefShare at Eastside. The first time I came, I ...
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God Leaves The 99
God leaves the 99 We had hit rock bottom and were both struggling with addiction and living in a hotel room. We were eating in a soup kitchen one Monday evening and told a friend about our situation. She said, go to the little place up in Fullerton, call Eastside, ...
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I Found God At The Lowest Point Of My Life
I FOUND GOD AT THE LOWEST POINT OF MY LIFE On April 10, 2021 I made one of the biggest mistakes of my life, and I found myself in jail. I remember sitting in the back of a cop car with my hands handcuffed behind my back thinking ‘What is ...
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Journey To Motherhood And Recovery
The road to recovery. I started going to Eastside when I was in junior high by a classmate. I loved the people. However, during college, I drifted around from church to church, but I came back about three years ago and have called Eastside home ever since. Even though I ...
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Practical Tips For Dealing With Anxiety And Depression
Practical tips for dealing with anxiety and depression Dr. Paul Alexander is the President of Hope International University in Fullerton, CA. He, his wife, and their kids have been attending Eastside Christian Church for over twenty years. Dr. Alexander has a passion for teaching and encouraging those who are struggling ...
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Learning My True Identity
LEARNING MY TRUE IDENTITY *trigger warning – sexual assault and suicidal ideation* As a child, I was a victim of incest. I was never allowed to talk about it or seek help for fear of retaliation. I was so afraid of being at home, but I knew Jesus was with ...
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THERE IS HELP. THERE IS HOPE.
There’s no need to pretend that you’ve got it all together. We believe that Jesus cares deeply about our journey, and through Him, we can discover the help and hope. This mental health series, Weeds In My Garden, is for you whether you are struggling or supporting someone who is.