Where is help available for those who have family challenges? No one is immune from challenges in this life. When social or emotional challenges arise, help is available. Sisters and their families who encounter the following challenges are encouraged to work with their bishop, who can put them in contact with professionals from LDS Family Services. LDS Family Services is here to help us. Their website is: www.providentliving.org There are 16 LDS Family Services offices in Utah: Link: http://www.lds.org/maps/index.jsf?lang=eng#x=find&m=microsoft&lat=6.489983332670639&lng=- 60.55664062500001&z=3&t=3&places=familyservicecenters&legend=1 LDS Family Services has so many resources available: Counseling and Resources Information about counseling services and a library full of articles dealing with social, emotional, and spiritual challenges. Birth Parents Assistance for birth parents, including unwed mothers, and others facing an unplanned pregnancy. Adoptive Couples Help for couples interested in adoption. Addiction Recovery Program LDS Family Services sponsors addiction recovery support meetings to assist individuals who desire freedom from addiction and a better life through gospel fellowship. How to Contact LDS Family Services A comprehensive list of LDS Family Services agencies in the United States, Canada, and abroad. Here are many of the areas where LDS Family Services can help: Link: http://www.providentliving.org/ses/emotionalhealth/0,12283,2130-1,00.html If you follow the link above you will see the following topical index of articles that may help you answer questions regarding your challenges and concerns. You are encouraged to contact one of our offices for additional assistance. Click a topic to view articles on: Abuse Family Self-Esteem, Self-Worth Adoption Fatherhood Single Parenting Adversity Grief and Loss Single-Adult Issues Anger Management Homosexuality (Same-Sex Attraction) Special Needs (Disabilities, Chronic Illness) Anxiety and Fear Infertility Stress Management Blended (Step) Marriage Families Substance Abuse Mental Health Caring for the Elderly Suicide Military Relations Communication Unwed Parents Parenthood (Child Rearing, Teaching and Conflict Resolution Training) Womanhood Depression Parenting (Discipline and Behavior Problems) Divorce Peace Eating Disorders Pornography (sexual addiction) There is counseling available with LDS Family Services: Counseling Services LDS Family Services has 57 offices throughout the United States and 12 international offices in Canada, Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Mexico, Chile, and Brazil available to provide counseling services to individuals, couples, and families. The professional counseling staff hold a master's degree in the behavioral sciences at a minimum. Professional counseling can assist members in a variety of situations. Common reasons for counseling include, but are not limited to, marital conflict, parent-child conflict, addiction, abuse, depression, anxiety, and same-gender attraction. Working with the member and the member's bishop is often helpful in changing destructive behaviors and creating healthier relationships. A bishop and member can often determine together if professional counseling might be helpful. To receive counseling services, members may be referred by their bishop or branch president, or they may contact the agency directly. There is a fee for counseling services. Strengthening the Family: Resource Guide for Parents Link: http://www.providentliving.org/content/display/0,11666,6676-1-3456-1,00.html Ask yourself: What challenges do I face as a parent? How can I help my children to be happy, well-adjusted, and to get along with others? How can I help them fulfill their divine potential? Strengthening the Family is a new course developed by LDS Family Services to help you understand the principles of effective parenting, improve your parenting skills, rear happy and successful children, and foster harmonious and loving relationships in the home. What Topics Are Covered? The course covers nine topics. Gospel principles provide the foundation and framework for each topic. Parenting Principles and Practices Understanding Child Development Communicating with Love Nurturing Children Fostering Confidence Overcoming Anger Resolving Conflict Teaching Responsible Behavior Applying Consequences Who Teaches This Course and Where? This course is taught at LDS Family Services’ agencies and by volunteer instructors in wards and stakes under the direction of LDS Family Services, Course instructors are knowledgeable about relationship skills and the challenges faced by parents. When courses are taught by volunteers in a ward, stake or agency a minimal fee is charged, covering only the cost of materials. Find Out More or Sign Up for a Class Contact the nearest LDS Family Services agency for information on when the next course will be taught and how to obtain the study guide. There are many other resources available that you can link to thru LDS Family Services that include help for abuse, eating disorders, disabilities, mental health, substance abuse and more: Link: http://www.providentliving.org/ses/emotionalhealth/links/0,12340,2131-1,00.html There is an additional website and free help established specifically for pregnancy: www.itsaboutlove.org .