Mental Illness – Mental Health & Faith

81. Navigating the Deep with Dave Nienhuis

By Mental-Health--And- | August 21, 2026

And the Sea was No More

In his new book, And the Sea Was No More, Dave Nienhuis shares his journey of trauma to healing using stories in the biblical text. Dave says, “I wrote this book for me. I needed to discover a faith language that could account for the reality of meaningless suffering. That language was revealed to me in the story of Scripture. And now I want to pass it over to others.” In this compelling interview and discussion Dave shares the contrast between darkness and “the deep,” and contrasts the need to ask “why” with the better question of “how.” The Bible contains the answers.

And the Sea Was No More will be released on September 22, 2026. Find it on Amazon and wherever books are sold.

Amazon Listing

Publisher Site

Dave Nienhuis is professor of New Testament studies at Seattle Pacific Seminary. He has authored and edited several books. To learn more about Dave, visit his substack page and website.

https://beyondtheshallows.substack.com/

https://davenienhuis.com/

Join the conversation!

Join the conversation about this episode by leaving your comments and sharing the episode. And don’t forget to subscribe!

Please email Caroline at caroline@carolinescooper.com if you have questions or suggestions, or if you are interested in being interviewed on the program.

Caroline S. Cooper is a writer, speaker, podcast/YouTube host, and mental health support group leader whose mission is to offer encouragement for life in a complicated world. Her ministry name is Mental Health Connect.

NEED HELP?

Contact the Nationwide (USA) Suicide Prevention and Crisis Lifeline: CALL or TEXT 988 if you are in a crisis or need information to assist someone else in a crisis. Or, CHAT at 988.lifeline.org

Contact and Connect with Caroline

Please post your questions, comments, or suggestions and don’t forget to subscribe! Join the conversation on mental health and faith!

Follow Caroline on social media.

Website – https://www.carolinescooper.com/

YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@MentalHealthAndFaith

Podcast – https://mental-health-and-faith.blubrry.net/

Facebook Mental Health Connect – https://www.facebook.com/CarolineSueCooper

Facebook Author Page – https://www.facebook.com/carolinescooperauthor/

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/carolinesuecooper/

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolinescooper/

Amazon Author Page – Caroline S. Cooper on Amazon Books

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75. Disabilities & Mental Health in the Church.

By Mental-Health--And- | April 25, 2026

Based on personal experience and with information provided at the Disability and the Church Conference, hosted by Key Ministry, Caroline S. Cooper encourages churches to explore establishing disability and mental health ministries.

PLEASE POST OR SEND ME COMMENTS!

We are in this together, and Caroline would love to receive your comments on how the church is doing to provide for the needs of the disability community and individuals experiencing mental health challenges. For more information about Key Ministry, please visit their website. www.keyministry.org.

Contact Caroline at caroline@carolinescooper.com or visit her website. www.carolinescooper.com.

IF YOU ARE IN A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS

Please call or text 988. Or, visit their website to chat with a trained operator. www.988lifeline.org.

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68. Child Therapy Part 1 (3-8 yrs) with Linda McDougal

By Mental-Health--And- | October 20, 2025

Linda McDougal, LPC

Linda is a Licensed Professional Counselor who has worked with children from 3-19 for more than 10 years. Her varied experience includes songwriting, creating a local Christian newspaper, and working as a substitute teacher.

Child Therapy for 3-8 year olds

In Part 1 of a 2-part series, Linda shares how she works with children from ages 3 to 8. She describes four different modalities (approaches or methods) of working with these young children.

Click on a modality to learn more.

Connect with Linda

lindamcdougalwriter@gmail.com

NEED HELP?

Join the conversation!

Join the conversation by leaving your comments or emailing Caroline at caroline@carolinescooper.com. Caroline S. Cooper is a writer, speaker, podcast/YouTube host, and mental health support group leader whose mission is to offer encouragement for life in a complicated world. Her ministry name is Mental Health Connect. Please email Caroline if you have questions or suggestions, or if you are interested in being interviewed on the program.

Contact and Connect with Caroline

Please post your questions, comments, or suggestions and don’t forget to subscribe! Join the conversation on mental health and faith!

Follow Caroline on social media.

Website – https://www.carolinescooper.com/

YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@MentalHealthAndFaith

Podcast – https://mental-health-and-faith.blubrry.net/

Facebook Mental Health Connect – https://www.facebook.com/CarolineSueCooper

Facebook Author Page – https://www.facebook.com/carolinescooperauthor/

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/carolinesuecooper/

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolinescooper/

Amazon Author Page – Caroline S. Cooper on Amazon Books

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67. Mental Health & Christianity with Charlene Giles

By Mental-Health--And- | October 15, 2025

Charlene Giles

Charlene Giles is a licensed marriage and family therapist with a passion to minister to people who are ready to grow in their relationship with God and others. According to her website, she is recently retired from her leadership position at Asbury Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma. For over 28 years she was responsible for the care and marriage ministries of one of the largest Methodist churches in Oklahoma.

On today’s episode, Charlene boldly encourages Christians to seek help from therapists, psychiatrists, or other professionals when experiencing mental health challenges. She shares many insights on how people get out of the downward spiral that occurs when such issues are not addressed. Charlene also encourages individuals to turn to their pastors, lay counselors, support groups, or other resources that may be available in the local church.

To learn more about Charlene, visit her website at https://charlenegiles.com/.

NEED HELP?

Join the conversation!

Contact and Connect with Caroline

Please post your questions, comments, or suggestions and don’t forget to subscribe! Join the conversation on mental health and faith!

Follow Caroline on social media.

Website – https://www.carolinescooper.com/

YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@MentalHealthAndFaith

Podcast – https://mental-health-and-faith.blubrry.net/

Facebook Mental Health Connect – https://www.facebook.com/CarolineSueCooper

Facebook Author Page – https://www.facebook.com/carolinescooperauthor/

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/carolinesuecooper/

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolinescooper/

Amazon Author Page – Caroline S. Cooper on Amazon Books

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62. Support Group Success

By Mental-Health--And- | August 12, 2025

This episode is a presentation that was given at a virtual workshop for the Faith+Mental Health conference in May 2025. Caroline has nearly 20 years of experience as a leader for a Christ-centered mental health support group where she emphasizes hope, transformation, and victory. This approach is based on the Spirit-led process God revealed to Caroline in reflecting on her own recovery journey. This unique perspective will challenge leaders of support groups, small groups, Sunday School classes, etc., to encourage their group members to choose hope in the midst of challenging situations, experience God’s transformation as they grow and heal, and recognize victory in their daily lives. The presentation will include definitions of key terms; how to incorporate hope, transformation, and victory in each meeting; tips for encouraging holistic transformation; sample scenarios that might occur in a group setting; and the use of a confidentiality covenant.

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61. RESPECT Speakers – Share Your Story!

By Mental-Health--And- | May 10, 2025

THE RESPECT INSTITUTE

“The Missouri Mental Health Foundation (MMHF) is proud to offer certified speakers through the RESPECT Institute of Missouri. Our speakers bravely share their lived experiences with mental illness and substance use disorders, providing powerful insights and inspiration.”

As a RESPECT speaker, Caroline knows firsthand the importance of sharing your story to provide hope, encouragement, and insights to others. RESPECT Speakers share in a variety of setting such as schools and colleges, hospitals, behavioral health organizations, and more. The individuals on today’s episode are all trained RESPECT Speakers who volunteer their time to courageously share their lived experience with others.

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!

NEED HELP?

Nationwide (USA) Suicide Prevention and Crisis Lifeline: Call Or Text: 988
SAMHSA’s National Helpline: (800)-662-HELP [4357]
National Child Abuse Hotline: 800-422-4453
National Child Trafficking Hotline: 888-373-7888
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233
National Veterans Crisis Line: 800-273-8255 or Text to 838255
National LGBT Help Line: 888-843-4564

A MORE COMPLETE LIST OF MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES CAN BE FOUND ON CAROLINE’S WEBSITE.

You can also sign up for her quarterly newsletter at the bottom of each page. https://carolinescooper.com

CONNECT WITH CAROLINE!

YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@MentalHealthAndFaith
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/CarolineSueCooper
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/carolinesuecooper/
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolinescooper/
Amazon Author Page – Caroline S. Cooper on Amazon Books

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56. Wellness and Wellness Tools

By Mental-Health--And- | January 9, 2025

wellness and wellness tools

What is wellness? In this episode Caroline will define “wellness” and discuss the importance of using wellness tools to find peace and calmness in the midst of chaos. The episode includes scripture and other suggestions for pursuing wellness from a Christian perspective.

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!

NEED HELP?

A MORE COMPLETE LIST OF MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES CAN BE FOUND ON CAROLINE’S WEBSITE.

You can also sign up for her quarterly newsletter at the bottom of each page. https://carolinescooper.com

CONNECT WITH CAROLINE!

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55. Fighting Goliath with Jesslyn McCutcheon

By Mental-Health--And- | October 29, 2024

Facing The Giant: Bipolar Disorder

Jessyln McCutcheon spent twenty years battling a giant in her life. A diagnosis of bipolar I revealed the giant’s name, and then the real work began. Hear Jesslyn’s story of how finding the right treatment plan brought her relief from symptoms. The more powerful story is how God transformed Jesslyn by revealing his purpose for her life resulting in the establishment of Fighting Goliath for Mental Illness, Jesslyn’s ministry. This episode will include Jesslyn’s story as well as many tips and suggestions to aid anyone who lives with a mental illness. It will also provide important information for those wanting to learn more about what it is like to live with a mental health condition. Finally, you will hear about Jesslyn’s new book to be released in early 2025.

Jesslyn’s Bio

Jesslyn McCutcheon is a member of NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) NW Piedmont and the AACC (American Association of Christian Counseling). Since being diagnosed with bipolar 1 disorder 24 years ago, she actively advocates and speaks regarding mental illness to normalize and destigmatize conversations around mental health. Her ministry, Fighting Goliath for Mental Illness helps and empowers women who live with bipolar disorder manage their symptoms more effectively through resources, lived, experience and incorporating God’s word in order to live a more fulfilling life.

Connect with Jesslyn

Fighting Goliath Support Group: www.facebook.com/groups/986621275666764/
www.jesslynmccutcheon.com
instagram.com/@fightinggoliath4mentalillness
instagram.com/@jesslynmccutcheon
linkedin.com/in/jesslynmfgfmi
www.youtube.com/@FGFMI
TikTok.com/@jesslynmccutcheon

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO THE MENTAL HEALTH & FAITH: A CLOSER LOOK PODCAST.

Join the conversation by leaving your comments or emailing Caroline at caroline@carolinescooper.com. Caroline S. Cooper (Owner of Mental Health Connect) is a writer, speaker, and podcast/YouTube host whose mission is to offer encouragement for life in a complicated world. Please email your comments, questions, or suggestions to caroline@carolinescooper.com.

NEED HELP?
Nationwide (USA) Suicide Prevention and Crisis Lifeline: Call Or Text: 988
SAMHSA’s National Helpline: (800)-662-HELP [4357]
National Child Abuse Hotline: 800-422-4453
National Child Trafficking Hotline: 888-373-7888
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233
National Veterans Crisis Line: 800-273-8255 or Text to 838255
National LGBT Help Line: 888-843-4564

A MORE COMPLETE LIST OF MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES CAN BE FOUND ON CAROLINE’S WEBSITE.

You can also sign up for her quarterly newsletter at the bottom of each page. https://carolinescooper.com

CONNECT WITH CAROLINE!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

49. Surviving Suicide with Chris Morris

By Mental-Health--And- | September 10, 2024

Caroline’s guest, Chris Morris, has a story to tell. In episode 48, he shares important tips for finding a therapist based on his challenging experience. Additionally, Chris talks about the importance of having a support network for accountability. Episode 49 goes deeper into Chris’s story as he shares about his suicide attempt. This important episode offers hope and encouragement in recognition of September as Suicide Prevention Awareness month.