UU Mental Health Network

UU Mental Health Network As a starting point, a covenant and a mission were written, and a decision was made to apply to the UUA to become an official “related organization”.

The UU Mental Health Network promotes inclusion of people affected by mental health issues in the life and work of our congregations and in the society at large. In 2018 a number of individual Unitarian Universalists who were interested in mental health started meeting and jointly decided that the time was right to form a UU Mental Health Network to work collectively on mental health issues that a

ffect our congregations and society at large. Later we decided to incorporate and seek non-profit status with the IRS. In May of 2019 we created a set of bylaws and submitted paperwork to become incorporated in the state of Michigan. Karl Pannanen, one of our members who is an attorney lives in Michigan and handled these matters on a pro-bono basis. In June of 2019 we presented a “poster session” at the UUA’s General Assembly in Spokane in which we discussed our newly forming organization with attendees at the General Assembly. As a result, we doubled the number of people who wanted to be part of this effort! In July of 2019 our incorporation was successfully obtained, and paperwork for our application to become a UUA “related organization” was submitted to the UUA. In March of 2020, we received 501 (c)(3) Non-profit status from the Internal Revenue Service, meaning that donations to the UU Mental Health network are tax exempt.

09/03/2026

Read through this graphic...
How many of these felt "normal" to you?

That's the thing about self-invalidation. It doesn't feel harmful.
It feels like survival.

When you've lived through trauma, it's easy to learn that your needs, feelings, or voice should come last.

But surviving and healing aren't the same thing.

The good news is that these patterns can change. Healing starts with treating yourself with the same patience, kindness, and understanding that you so freely give to everyone else.

09/03/2026

Anxiety does not look the same for everyone, so it makes sense that therapy is not one-size-fits-all either.

For one person, it may help to spot the thoughts that keep anxiety growing. For another, it may be about slowly facing a fear with support, learning ways to cope with big feelings, understanding how past experiences still affect them, or noticing how stress shows up in the body.

CBT, ACT, mindfulness, DBT, exposure therapy, talking therapy and body-based approaches can all offer something different. There is no “best” type of therapy for every person. The right support is often the one that feels safe, practical and suited to what is happening in real life.

If you or your young person are feeling stuck, it is okay to ask a counsellor, therapist or healthcare professional: “What approach do you use, and how could it help with anxiety?”

That question can be a really good place to start.

FREE ANXIETY THERAPY TYPES: CBT, ACT, DBT AND MINDFULNESS

LIKE the photo and comment "THERAPY" and we will send you a message with a link to a free PDF of this resource.

08/17/2026

Everyone talks about triggers.
Not enough people talk about glimmers.

They’re small moments that help your nervous system feel a little safer.
A little calmer.
It might be quiet.
Fresh air.
Music you love.
A person you feel safe around.

Nothing big. Nothing complicated.
Just small things your nervous system recognizes as “okay.”

They’re easy to miss.
When you’re in survival mode, your brain is wired to focus on what feels wrong or unsafe.

But once you start noticing glimmers, you realize they’re there more often than you thought.
And paying attention to them can help you understand what your system needs to come back to calm.

Join us for the next UUMHN Book Club on Saturday, October 24 at 6pm Eastern/3pm Pacific where we'll discuss "An Unquiet ...
08/12/2026

Join us for the next UUMHN Book Club on Saturday, October 24 at 6pm Eastern/3pm Pacific where we'll discuss "An Unquiet Mind" by Kay Redfield Jamison. The Zoom link is on our website here:

08/09/2026

One of the hardest lessons after trauma is learning that your needs matter too.

Trauma teaches us to survive. To do that, we often...

• ignore our exhaustion.
• dismiss our feelings.
• apologize for having needs.
• keep going long after we've run out of energy.

Healing often begins when we pause and check in with ourselves.

Ask: "What do I need today?"

Showing up for yourself doesn't mean you'll get it right every day.
It means choosing, over and over again, not to leave yourself behind.

Because your needs matter, too.

08/06/2026

We are not meant to find our way entirely on our own.

In “Co-regulation,” Elizabeth Mount reminds us that connection is part of our nature. From our earliest breath, we learn who we are through relationship—through the people who offer love, care, and a steady presence when life feels uncertain.

The poem appears in “How Could Anyone—Loving All of Who We Are,” a worship service created by Rev. Cindy Terlazzo and Cass Darrow and offered by the UU Mental Health Network. The service reflects on mental health as part of our shared human and spiritual lives—and on the importance of creating communities where people can speak honestly, receive care, and know they are not alone.

The UU Mental Health Network offers worship materials and other resources to help congregations deepen understanding, compassion, connection, and belonging around mental health and well-being.

Read the full poem, explore the service, and find more resources at the link in the comments.

08/06/2026

DBT Skills. Module : Distress Tolerance. Skill : Radical Acceptance.
'Radical Acceptance Statements'

08/06/2026

You don’t always need a big life change to support your mood.

Sometimes it’s a walk outside. Finishing one small task. Laughing with someone you love. Petting your dog. Listening to a song that makes you feel understood.

Your brain responds to everyday moments of motivation, connection, movement, rest and joy. Think D.O.S.E.:

Dopamine: set a tiny goal and celebrate progress.
Oxytocin: connect, hug, compliment, share how you feel.
Serotonin: get outdoors, move your body, breathe, notice nature.
Endorphins: laugh, dance, exercise, create, enjoy life.

There’s no perfect formula—and one small habit can support more than one part of your wellbeing. The goal isn’t to feel amazing every day. It’s to give yourself a little more support today.

What’s one tiny thing that helps you feel more like yourself?

FREE GET YOUR DAILY DOSE: BRAIN CHEMICALS HABITS PDF

LIKE the photo and comment "DOSE" and we will send you a message with a link to a free PDF of this resource.

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19429 Breezedale Lane
Oakland, CA
20876-2746

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