Faith Partners

Faith Partners is a national program. Find out more by visiting the Faith Partners website.

Internet Safety

Tuesday, February 11, 2025 was Safer Internet Day. 
ConnectSafely is a Silicon Valley, Calif.-based nonprofit organization dedicated to educating people about online safety, privacy, security and digital wellness. Resources available include research-based safety tips, parents’ guidebooks, advice, news and commentary on all aspects of tech use and policy.

Here are four signs that you are dealing with a scam:
1. Scammers PRETEND to be from a government agency, business, or other organization you know. Technology is used to change the phone number that appears on you caller ID resulting in a fake name and number.
2. Scammers tell you about a PROBLEM or a PRIZE.  They might say you are in trouble with the government, that you owe money, that someone in your family had an emergency, or that there is a virus on your computer.
3. Scammers PRESSURE you to act immediately. They push you to act before you have time to think. They may threaten to arrest you, take away your driver’s license, or deport you. They may say your computer is about to be corrupted.
4. Scammers tell you to PAY in a specific way.  They often insist you purchase a gift card and give them the redemption number on the back of the card.  Some will send a check to you, tell you to deposit it, and then send the money back to them. Some may ask you to purchase cyber cash at an ATM and send it to them.

Avoid being scammed. Never give out your personal or financial information in response to a request that you did not expect. If you have any concerns about what is being asked of you then take a minute. Ask someone else what they think about it.

Mental Wellness

Psalms 23:3 (God) restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake. Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God;
Isaiah 41:10 I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.
Proverbs 17:22 A cheerful heart is a good medicine, but a downcast spirit dries up the bones.

What Is Mental Wellness?
So, what’s the difference between mental wellness and mental health? According to the Global Wellness Institute, mental wellness is “an internal resource that helps us think, feel, connect, and function; it is an active process that helps us to build resilience, grow, and flourish.” Thinking of mental wellness as a “resource” can be really useful in distinguishing it from mental health. Mental wellness is more of a skill you can strengthen over time. It’s a quality you can draw upon when you are going through something difficult.

Wondering about your own mental wellness?
Here are some signs of mental wellness you can look for to gauge how you’re doing:

• Maintaining a sense of purpose
• Expressing and regulating emotions in a healthy way
• Forming and maintaining healthy relationships
• Recognizing your own strengths and weaknesses
• Having a desire to learn and grow
• Feeling generally positive or satisfied about your life

Often, mental health issues occur due to factors beyond our control, like genetics and difficult life circumstances. Mental wellness, on the other hand, is something that you can work to cultivate regardless of where your mental health is at. While strong mental wellness won’t necessarily overcome mental health challenges, it can definitely help as you try to manage things like stress, anxiety, or depression.

Helpful Mental Wellness Tips: 
There are several mental health wellness tips that can be used to improve mental wellness.

1. Take care of your body. Exercising is a great mental health tip because exercise helps burn anxious energy and prevents muscle tension.
2. Maintain a healthy diet and weight. 
3. Make sure that you take breaks to rest during the day.
4. Challenge your brain by learning new skills and engaging in new activities.).
5. Remember to spend quality time with family and friends.
6. Be sure to take care of sleep hygiene. A major component of mental wellness is to be sure to sleep well.
7. Take time to meditate or PRAY. Meditation and prayers help you relax the body and the mind.
8. Practice deep breathing exercises. Deep breathing helps the body and mind stay healthy by providing oxygen to the brain and muscles.

Caregiver Stress

If you’ve ever taken care of a chronically ill spouse or elderly parent, you know how stressful and exhausting it can be. If you’re living through the experience right now, you might be feeling overwhelmed or even at a breaking point—even if you love the person you’re caring for very much. Providing this type of care can place a great deal of pressure on a person, and caregivers are often surprised by the amount of stress they experience. Many caregivers have trouble taking care of their own needs as they provide so much care for the needs of others. Whether you feel guilty for taking time out for yourself, or if you just feel like you don’t have the time to take, consider this perspective: If you don’t take care of yourself, you won’t have anything left to give. Being in the position of being a caregiver usually carries some heavy responsibility and sometimes scary situations.

Some ways to lessen the stress include staying connected to others, finding some social support or a person to talk with about your feelings. Accept help from others, even if they don’t “do it the way I do” You need a break! Find some time to be alone, even if it is for 10 to 15 minutes, again you need a break! Stay Spiritually Grounded, studies show having faith helps immensely with stress relief, your health and being more satisfied with life. Take care of yourself, eat well, get adequate sleep, and find some time to relax.

Did you know that the Nebraska legislature passed “The Caregiver Tax Credit” which takes effect in January 2025. Nebraska is the second state in the union to adopt this expansive tax credit for caregivers. Contact the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging or AARP to find out more. Pamphlets for Family Caregiver Resource Guide and Nebraska Caregiver Tax Credit are in the Faith Partners Bulletin Board in the Fellowship Hall.

Suicide Awareness

September is National Suicide Awareness month.
According to the CDC, over 49,000 people died by suicide in 2022. That is one death every 11 minutes. Suicide isn’t just about the person who takes their own life, it’s also about the impact it has on their families and communities. If you or someone you know needs support now, call 988, the 24 hour suicide and crisis lifeline. See the bulletin board in the fellowship hall for more information and resources.