The Anxiety/Depression Support Group is a safe place for you to encounter God's healing during your journey to a healthier life, free from anxiety and depression. During the meetings, we explore strategies for overcoming anxiety and depression through education, self-exploration, book studies and group discussions. We support each other by sharing personal challenges in this small caring community as we strive for healthier lives. No registration required.

Please email Victoria Edmondson for more information.

This support group offers resources for people affected by mood disorders. Our support groups are a great place to regain self-confidence, find emotional support and simply be among people who understand.

We are meeting online Thursdays at 7 pm in person at Resurrection Leawood and via Zoom. Email Denise.Mersmann@cor.org for more information.

We believe investing in physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being is crucial to living into God’s call for your life. When we find ourselves amid challenging seasons, it can take a community to remind us that God’s plan for us includes a “future filled with hope.” Remember:

1. You are loved by, and matter to, God.
2. No pain lasts forever.
3. There is always hope.
4. Others can help – just ask.

If you are concerned about your safety or the safety of others, we encourage you to call 911 or visit the nearest emergency room. In addition, there are several other crisis resources available to you. Several are listed below.

Sermons & Videos

• Sermon: When Hope Seems Lost (2019)
• Sermon: Like a Broken Vessel (2017)
• Sermon: Christianity & Suicide (2012)
• Suicide Prevention Panel (2017)

Resources for Times of Crisis

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255

The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals.

Crisis Text Line: 741741

Crisis Text Line is a United States nonprofit organization providing free crisis intervention via SMS message. The organization’s services are available 24 hours a day every day throughout the US by texting 741741.

Johnson County Mental Health Emergency Services: (913) 268-0156

Johnson County Mental Health Center maintains professional clinical staff on duty 24-hours-a-day to provide mental health Emergency Services to Johnson County residents.

Shawnee Mission Medical Center, Behavioral Health Assessment Center (913) 789-3218

Assessments provided by appointment.

Resurrection Resources

Our Congregational Care pastors are here to offer support for all aspects of life, including those times that feel the darkest. To get connected with pastoral care, please call (913) 544-0712. If there is an urgent need for pastoral care after office hours, please call our pager number: (913) 544-0799. The pastor on call will return your page as soon as possible.

Our Counseling Ministries also works to help connect our church family and community with mental health resources. This includes referrals to mental health professionals on our approved referral list as well as on-site counseling with graduate interns. Submit a request for a counseling referral here.

Family Discussion Guide

This guide is designed to give you and those around you the tools to make sure you’re planning, collaborating, and expending energy in a way that draws you closer together. We hope that by using this guide, families are better equipped to identify and share their emotional experiences with each other. We hope people will be more comfortable reaching out for help and more comfortable extending a hand to help others. If this sounds like something you’d appreciate, this guide is for you. Download it here.

Anxiety/Depression Support Group

The Anxiety and Depression Support Group is a safe place where God's healing can take place during your journey to a healthier life, free from anxiety and depression. During the meetings, we explore strategies for overcoming anxiety and depression through education, self-exploration, book studies, and group discussions. We support each other by sharing personal challenges in this small caring community as we strive for healthier lives. No registration required. We look forward to seeing you. Visit our webpage for details.

Books & Miscellaneous

The books below are recommended by the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention.

After Suicide Loss: Coping with Your Grief

Bob Baugher, Ph.D., and Jack Jordan, Ph.D., 2002.

This excellent handbook is organized chronologically to follow the days, weeks, and months after a suicide loss. It includes straightforward information about psychiatric disorders, when to seek professional help, and practical strategies for coping and healing.

Remembering Garrett: One Family’s Battle with a Child’s Depression

U.S. Senator Gordon H. Smith, 2006.

A personal account by the U.S. Senator from Oregon, whose 21-year-old son took his own life, and whose speech on the Senate floor led to overwhelming bipartisan support for the passage of the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act, which increased federal funding to prevent youth suicide.

Suicide Survivors’ Club: A Family’s Journey through the Death of Their Loved One

Rebecca Anderson (Author/Suicide Loss Survivor), Laurie Phillips (Artist/Storyteller), 2016.

This beautifully illustrated 5-book set depicts the aftermath of a husband/father’s suicide through the eyes and in the words of his wife and children (ages 19, 7, and 5).

The brief books Becky, Pattie, Aidan, and Will explore the feelings of suicide loss survivors of any age and the healing power of art. The fifth book, Parenting the Suicide Survivors’ Club, is a short memoir by mom Rebecca that reflects the challenges of holding a family together as the sole remaining parent.

Reaching Out After Suicide: What’s Helpful and What’s Not

Linda H. Kilburn, M.S.W., 2008.

A clinical hospice social worker and survivor of her daughter’s suicide, Kilburn offers practical advice for well-meaning friends and family who want to reach out and be supportive after a suicide, but aren’t sure what to do or say.

Silent Grief: Living in the Wake of Suicide

Christopher Lukas and Henry Seiden, 2007.

Co-authored by a psychologist and a survivor of multiple suicide losses, this book is written with sensitivity and understanding. The authors offer simple, constructive suggestions for healing, along with straightforward information and a message of hope.

We offer two ongoing support groups for those affected by cancer. Both groups meet via Zoom at this time.

CANCER SUPPORT FOR MEN

1st Thursdays | Feb. 4 - May 6 | 5:30-7 pm | online

The Men's Cancer Support Group is a monthly ministry for men in all stages of cancer treatment, offering emotional and spiritual support. This group is led by Congregational Care Minister David Contag and meets online.

Please register here.

CANCER SUPPORT FOR WOMEN

4th Thursdays | 6:30

The Women's Cancer Prayer Support Group, or Glow Girls (God Loving Optimistic Women), is a monthly ministry for women who are currently experiencing cancer treatment or learning to adjust to life after treatment. The ministry offers women of all ages prayerful comfort, encouragement, support and the compassion of new friendships. God walks with us as we journey through cancer and we feel this presence as we travel through both dark valleys and bright meadows. This group is led by Congregational Care Minister Sharon Lovell.

For more information, email Denise.Mersmann@cor.org.

It's really hard providing long-term health care for loved ones, and we want to be here to support you. We currently have two caregiver support groups - a general caregiver group (online option) and a group more specific to those caring for loved ones experiencing dementia (in person only). Please refer to the information below for how to gain access to those meetings.

*Due to the rise in Covid-19 cases, KU Caregiver Support Groups will not be held in January.

For All Caregivers

2nd Tuesdays, 2-3:30 pm: Join us in person at our Leawood location in Room B158 or online through Zoom – we are offering a hybrid class, having some folks join in person and some join online. This group is led by Reverend Emily Stirewalt and is a general caregiver support group which includes faith-based resources for support, prayer, and a brief devotional.

For information about these meetings, please email Emily at or call her at 913-232-4126.

For Caregivers of Those with Early-Stage Dementia

2nd Tuesdays, 2-3:30 pm: Meets at the Leawood location in Room B152. This is a dementia specific caregiver support group for those care partners with a loved one in the early stages of dementia. This class is led by Amy Yeager, LMSW KU ADC, from KU Alzheimer’s Disease Center. A coordinating support group for those experiencing mild cognitive impairment or early-stage Alzheimer’s or Dementia meets at the same time. Learn more about that support group here.

For more information about these meetings, please call Amy at (913) 945-7663.