TALK IT OUT Most Americans seem to be open to counseling, and many find it to be a good experience, according to Barna research. 4 in 10 American adults (42 percent) have seen a counselor at some point in their lives. A third (36 percent) say they’re open to it. Almost one in four (23 percent) say they would never see a counselor. Americans consistently indicate the experience of see- ing a counselor was very positive (47 percent). Practicing Christians (52 percent) are more likely than non-Christians (43 percent) to recommend coun- seling to friends and family. By all measures, Millennials and Gen X have more interest in counseling than Boomers and Elders. 56 WWW.AGRM.ORG MAY/JUNE 2018 DAY-TO-DAY HURT PEOPLE HURT PEOPLE It’s been said that the people who need love the most show it in the most unloving ways. You probably see most of these behaviors that show past hurts in your homeless friends. 1Hurt people often transfer their inner anger to those around them. 2Hurt people interpret every word spoken to them through the prism of their pain. 3Hurt people interpret every action through the prism of their pain, causing them to suspect wrong motives or evil intent. 4Hurt people often portray themselves as victims and have a “victim spirit.” 5Hurt people often alienate others and wonder why no one is there for them. 6Hurt people have the emotional maturity of the age they received their (un-dealt with) hurt. 7Hurt people are often frustrated and depressed because past pain continually spills over into their present consciousness. 8Hurt people often erupt with inappropriate emotion because words, actions, or circumstances “touch” and “trigger” past woundedness. 9Hurt people often occupy themselves with busyness, work, and/or accomplishments as a way of compensating for low self-esteem. 10Hurt people often attempt to medicate themselves with excessive entertainment, drugs, alcohol, pornography, sexual relationships, or hobbies as a way to forget their pain and run from reality. 11Hurt people have learned to accommodate their private “false self” or “dark side.” 12Hurt people are often self-absorbed with their own pain and are unaware they are hurting others. 13Hurt people are susceptible to demonic deception. 14God often purposely surfaces pain so hurt people can face reality. 15Hurt people need to forgive to be released and restored to freedom. Source: Marriage Missions International MAY IS MENTAL HEALTH MONTH Did you know these facts about mental health? • 1 in 5 adults experience mental illness in the United States. • Nearly 1 in 25 adults in America live with a serious mental illness. • 9.8 million adults 18 or older thought about trying to kill themselves in 2015, according to the CDC. Of those, 2.7 million made suicide plans and 1.4 million made a nonfatal suicide attempt. • 18.1 percent of U.S. adults have experienced an anxiety disorder in the past year, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. • Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S., according to the CDC. • 3.4 percent of adults experi- enced serious psychological distress during the past 30 days, according to the CDC. Source: USA Today