A Candid Conversation with Serena Menken on Nurturing Her Teenager through Mental Health Challenges

Join us for this episode as Serena Menken, author of SerenaMenken.substack.com, openly shares her personal experience of walking her teenage daughter through a mental breakdown. Her story begins when she saw signs of anxiety and depression in her teenager. Serena graciously allows us to journey with her as those signs deepened, as well as an eating disorder, and suicidal thoughts developed. (Suicide Hotline is 988)She details her family's experience as they received assessments and navigated recommended treatment plans in care facilities and at home. Serena openly shares her experience to encourage others who may face a similar situation. From a parent's point of view, Serena shares topics on:·      Self-blame·      Shame·      Self-confession·      Feelings of abandonment·      Working with a therapist·      Treatment center experience and home treatmentWhere does Serena gain strength through her family's journey? She answers this question with examples of how she has depended on her relationship with Christ throughout her parenting journey, describing it as, “I’ve been blessed with a really strong connection because I chose it.” She elaborates, “It’s something I’ve clung to.” Throughout the conversation, you will hear Serena’s words filled with grace and discover why she titled her Substack, Evidence of Grace, where she pours her heart out in writing, for others to gain from.  This episode is for the parent who feels alone and struggles with despair while parenting a child with anxiety, depression, or an eating disorder. As well as parents who hesitate to share their struggles with others, to ask for help, and who tend to neglect their own self-care while tending to others.   Additional Resources are listed below. There is no affiliation with the resources listed below or mentioned in the episode. As always, you are encouraged to do your research and find resources that best suit you. How to Nourish Your Child Through an Eating DisorderWhen Your Teen Has an Eating DisorderWhat Your ADHD Kid Wishes You KnewFEASTBrave Girl EatingMusic by ShtakalBerry via ⁠Pixabay