Pathlight Mood & Anxiety Center

06/18/2024

Some may call them “silly little posts,” but if our content can impact the life of just one person, and help them feel seen, validated, and less alone in their struggles, it means the world to us. 🧡 🧡

06/18/2024

What is emotion regulation? The best way to understand emotion regulation is to start with what emotion dysregulation looks like. When we live in a dysregulated state, we aren’t able to use helpful skills to reduce or moderate negative emotions.

This can look like...

Mood swings: You are extremely happy and then extremely sad, with no sense of balance.
Irritability: You feel triggered and yell at the driver who just cut you off, even though they will never hear you.
Feeling stuck: You can’t move beyond feeling angry or jilted, and it keeps replaying in your mind.

So, emotion regulation is practicing skills to reduce these intense emotional responses to a situation. This is like opening up our brain’s pathways to find new avenues to communicate experiences, fixing the fractured roads so traffic can flow freely.

Head to our latest blog for more tips on emotion regulation: https://bit.ly/44LQPJK

06/17/2024

Mental Health Reminders For Men:

👉 You don’t have to man up

👉 It’s okay to show your emotions

👉 You are not alone

👉 Struggling does not make you weak

👉 There is help out there

👉 You are not a burden

👉 Speaking up is courageous

06/16/2024

No matter what today brings—whether you're celebrating, grieving, or just going through your usual routine—we're sending you all our love. 🧡

06/14/2024

If you've been struggling with loneliness, it can sometimes be hard to realize how easy our brains trick us into thinking we'll always feel this way.

So, just in case no one's told you this yet: you still haven't met all the people who are going to love you... 🧡

06/13/2024

Can anyone else relate? 🙄

If you've been struggling with anxiety and in need of support, head to our website to find mental health resources (free support groups, treatment options, blogs, podcasts).

🔗 https://bit.ly/4a0bGtA

06/12/2024

Did you know men account for 79% of suicides?

👉 Men can struggle with their mental health
👉 Men can have an eating disorder
👉 Men feel insecure
👉 Men have trauma
👉 Men get depressed
👉 Men get abused
👉 Men cry

This , we want to remind everyone that it's not "unmanly" to struggle — it's a human experience.

Instead of telling men to “man up” let’s encourage them to speak up. 🗣️

06/11/2024

"It may seem like a cliche, but the key to accomplishing any goal is to break it down into small, feasible steps. It worked for my sobriety, and continues to work for any major goal I set. When you have small victories, soon they add up and before you know it, you’ve reached your goal."

— Say It Brave Member, Vik Chopra

06/11/2024

Supporting the mental health of the LGBTQIA+ Asian community is crucial. 🧡

We're proud to partner with Asian Mental Health Project for the Out Loud Pride Summit on June 13th, 2024. Join the Asian Mental Health Project in their mission to educate, provide resources and empower the AAPI community. Learn how to create inclusive spaces, expand access to culturally responsive care, and promote mental health awareness.

Register for the summit here: https://bit.ly/3Vn4uUh

06/10/2024

Knowing what to say or how to support a friend that’s struggling with loneliness can be difficult to navigate, but the first step is making sure your friend feels noticed and
acknowledged. 🧡

If you’re struggling to find the right words, here are a few examples of messages you can send to show your support. ☝️

06/10/2024

In honor of , we're partnering with Only7Seconds to combat youth loneliness.

If you have a friend thats struggling with loneliness, we understand it can be hard to find the "right" words to comfort your friend, but the first step is making sure your friend feels noticed and acknowledged.

If you're struggling to find ways to show your support, here are a few examples of messages you can send. 🧡

06/07/2024

Don't miss your chance to take advantage of our advanced early bird pricing for our Annual Conferences on Eating Disorders and Mental Health!

Our can’t-miss virtual event is packed with topics vital to mental health clinicians in 2024, and will provide you with the opportunity to stay ahead of evolving industry trends while earning up to 30 CE/CME/CNE credits.

Session topics will range from:

👉 Radically open dialectical behavior therapy (RO DBT) for anxiety

👉 GLP1s, binge eating disorder and the bariatric community

👉 The impact of GLP1 messaging in the African American community

👉 Ethical treatment at higher levels of care

👉 Exercise integration at all levels of care

Secure your spot here: https://bit.ly/4ceHVa9

06/07/2024

There can be so many moments throughout a recovery journey that feel *impossibly* hard, like it'd just be easier to give up, give into old patterns and old behaviors, than to work through the hard stuff.

If you've had these thoughts or feelings before, first know that this is completely normal. That's part of recovery "not being linear." When this kind of stuff comes up, remind yourself why you've stuck it out this long, try and remember your "why" for sticking with recovery. And always remember, you *can* do hard things! 🧡

06/06/2024

“Hi I’m Vik Chopra. I’m a q***r, South Asian, formerly incarcerated filmmaker, actor and writer.

I’m also an addict in recovery who recently celebrated 11 years of sobriety.

One thing I’ve learned over the years is that my scars are something to be celebrated and embraced.

If you listen to this, I hope you are inspired to do the same.”

- Say It Brave Member, Vik Chopra

06/06/2024

We're honored to partner with Trans Lifeline for our annual Out Loud Pride Summit on June 13th, 2024. 💙

The trans community faces significant obstacles in accessing mental health and transition support — Trans Lifeline provides essential peer support, financial aid, and gender-affirming resources.

Connect with our community resources by registering for the summit here: https://bit.ly/3R6KqTx

06/05/2024

The stigma surrounding men’s mental health can create significant barriers for men in need of mental health support.

Phrases like “men don’t cry” and “man up” can often lead men to feel ashamed of showing their true emotions, which ultimately leads to fewer men reaching out for the support they need and deserve.

In honor of Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, let’s take a moment to dispel common myths surrounding men’s mental health. ☝️

06/05/2024

The stigma surrounding men's mental health can create significant barriers for men in need of mental health support.

Phrases like "men don't cry" and "man up" can often lead men to feel ashamed of showing their true emotions, which ultimately leads to fewer men reaching out for the support they need and deserve.

In honor of , let's take a moment to dispel common myths surrounding men's mental health.👇

06/04/2024

Sending love to those who are currently struggling with their mental health while also trying to juggle all the responsibilities that life throws at us.

You got this. 💪

06/03/2024

LGBTQ+ youth are three times more likely to have an eating disorder when compared to their peers. Unfortunately, many q***r individuals feel isolated, alone, and face unique barriers to accessing mental health and eating disorder care.

ANAD - National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders and Pathlight Mood & Anxiety Center believe everyone should have a supportive space where they are safe, seen, and heard. In addition to the Eating Disorders Helpline and peer mentorship program, ANAD is proud to offer a free peer-led support group specifically for LGBTQ+ individuals, which meets every Monday at 5 PM ET.

Visit https://bit.ly/4bDADwH now to find the community of hope and healing you deserve. And head to our website to register for our annual Out Loud Pride Summit: https://bit.ly/3R6KqTx

05/31/2024

Unresolved childhood trauma can have lasting effects and spill over into the relationships we form in our adult lives.

Here are a few ways it can show up.🔻

05/31/2024

Unresolved childhood trauma can have lasting effects and spill over into the relationships we form in our adult lives.

Here are a few ways it can show up. ☝️

05/31/2024

What are ways that you honor your own mental health?

Share what works for you below! 👇

05/30/2024

Has anyone else experienced this? 😔 😳

This is an example of how NOT to respond... While it can be hard knowing what to say or how to support a loved one struggling with depression, phrases like these are usually never helpful, and can actually make someone feel worse by invalidating their feelings.

Instead, try listening to them, ask how they would like to be supported, and let them know that you’re there for them. 🧡

05/30/2024

Join us for a profound and insightful conversation, "A Seat at the Table: Community, Faith, & Recovery," proudly hosted in collaboration with Rock Recovery on June 13, 2024!

“At Rock Recovery, we value inclusivity and affirm the dignity, value, and worthiness of each and every person. We strive to be a safe haven for all who are impacted by disordered eating, and meet people where they are, as they are. We know that for many, identity, faith, and spirituality are integrally connected to navigating a path towards recovery. In the spirit of these values, we are honored to host this year’s panel for the Out Loud Pride Summit.”

Register here: https://bit.ly/3Klyvxk

05/29/2024

In honor of Senior Health Day, let's take a moment to address the growing issue of loneliness among seniors, how it affects their mental health, and ways we can help.👇

05/28/2024

What are ways that you honor your own mental health?

Share what works for you below! 👇

05/28/2024

Ever wondered why some people remember past experiences as more positive or enjoyable than they actually were?

They may be experiencing “euphoric recall”, a psychological phenomenon where individuals remember past experiences, particularly negative ones, in a more positive light than they actually were.

And while being optimistic can sometimes be helpful, this particular thought pattern can be a toxic defense mechanism that doesn’t truly serve us.

Learn more about "euphoric recall" from our Clinical Manager, Leah Young, LCPC, in the HuffPost article here:

Therapists explain the signs of this particular thought pattern, and what to do if it's interfering with your life.

05/27/2024

Part two of our substance use disorder discussion with Leah Young is now available on our Mental Note Podcast. 👀

In this episode, we talk all about what to do once you realize you have a problem with substances or addictive behaviors. We discuss topics like:

- Different strategies for ending destructive behaviors spanning from abstinence to harm reduction
- How to develop boundaries to enable healthier behaviors
- Easy ways to measure the success of your approach

Find this episode (and part one) on our website or your favorite streaming platform: https://bit.ly/3UQ44V3

05/24/2024

Our ✨ fourth annual ✨ is right around the corner! This summit, happening on 6/13, is virtual event dedicated to education, advocacy, and elevating the voices of the LGBTQ+ community. This event offers continuing education opportunities for mental health professionals alongside powerful stories and lived experiences from members of the LGBTQ+ community

Here's a peek at our agenda...
🗓 Stepping into the Light: Navigating Coming Out in Individual Therapy
🗓 Finding Solidarity: The Power of Group and Connection in LGBTQ+ Healing Spaces
🗓 A Seat at the Table: Community, Faith, & Recovery with Rock Recovery

RSVP here: https://bit.ly/3WOHmiK

05/23/2024

📚 Children’s Books to Heal Your Inner Child Part 8:

“The Girl Who Makes a Million Mistakes, by Brenda Li, is a story about a girl named Millie who criticizes herself for things big and small, for squeezing too much toothpaste on her toothbrush or falling down in the middle of a track race.

I relate to sweet Millie, and her false belief that her lovability is in direct proportion to what she does and how well she does it.

When I was a little girl and learning how to alphabetize, I confused my letters in class, perhaps stating something like K came before H.

After my teacher corrected my error, I went to the bathroom and cried for a few minutes alone.

I don’t remember any details on the outside — what grade I was in, who my teacher was, or what the bathroom looked like.

I just remember this feeling of deep shame, like all of my worth was bottled up inside of a correct alphabet.

I wish I could go back in time and give that little girl a hug.

I wish I could remind her of what I still sometimes forget today: I am not the girl who makes a million mistakes. I am not defined by what I do or fail to do.

I am loved simply because I am.

Just the other day, my son tripped and fell while running during baseball practice.

He got up, wiped the dirt off his uniform, shrugged his shoulders and said, “Ah well,” two of the sweetest words I’ve ever heard.

Ah well.

With “mistakes” big and small, may we all say “ah well!” or our own equivalent of … That’s okay, love… and keep on going.”

- Say It Brave Member, Shannon Kopp