Blueskies Behavioral Health Services, Inc.

01/23/2024

4 out of 10 Americans report symptoms of anxiety. Anxiety is a natural response to stress, but when it becomes overwhelming and persistent, it may indicate an anxiety disorder. Stress, uncertainty, and life changes are common triggers for anxiety, affecting individuals differently. Below we provide various coping mechanisms that can empower individuals to manage anxiety effectively.

Coping Mechanisms:

Mindfulness and Meditation: Practicing mindfulness and meditation can reduce anxiety by bringing attention to the present moment. Try simple exercises like focused breathing or guided meditation.

Deep Breathing Techniques: Deep breathing exercises help calm the nervous system. Inhale deeply through your nose, hold, and exhale slowly through your mouth.

Positive Affirmations: Shift negative thought patterns by incorporating positive affirmations into your daily routine. Repeat affirmations like "I am calm and in control."

Exercise and Physical Activity: Engaging in regular physical activity releases endorphins, reducing anxiety. Find activities you enjoy, whether it's walking, yoga, or dancing.

Journaling: Journaling provides an outlet for expressing emotions. Use prompts to explore thoughts and feelings, gaining clarity and understanding.

Establishing a Support System: Build a supportive network of friends, family, or professionals who can offer understanding and encouragement. Open communication is key.

Therapy and Counseling: Therapy is a valuable resource for addressing anxiety. Different therapeutic approaches, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), can be effective.

Managing anxiety is a personal journey, and it's essential to find coping mechanisms that work for you. Experiment with these strategies, and remember, seeking professional help is a sign of strength. You are not alone on this journey to better mental health.

Additional Resources:
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
Crisis Text Line: Text "HELLO" to 741741.

12/05/2023

Happy December! Are you looking to give back this holiday season?

If so, Blueskies is seeking donations for our 2023 annual appeal campaign.

As a nonprofit mental health clinic, the funding and support we receive from our community partners plays a huge role in our organization's growth and improvement. This year, we have focused on expanding our capacity to serve youth and their families. As we move towards the new year, we hope to continue with this mission by providing accessible, highly developed care for children and teens in the area. All donations will go towards building our youth and family programs and ensuring that our clients receive the individualized care they need to navigate mental health challenges.

Visit our Pledge fundraiser page to read more about Blueskies & our mission.
https://www.pledge.to/blueskies-behavioral-health-services-annual-appeal-campaign-2023

Any donation amount will make a difference and will help us to continue providing the highest quality care for the community. We can't wait to see what is in store for us in the new year.

Thank you!

At Blueskies, we prioritize accessibility, striving to remove barriers to mental health care. We offer flexible scheduling and accept various insurance plans to ensure that quality mental health support remains within reach for all members of our community. Our mission is to create a compassionate a...

12/01/2023

As the seasons shift and daylight dwindles, many people experience changes in mood and energy levels. For some, these seasonal changes can lead to a specific type of depression known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Understanding SAD, its symptoms, and coping strategies can help individuals navigate this condition and find ways to manage its impact on mental health.

What is Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)?

Seasonal Affective Disorder is a subtype of depression that typically occurs during specific seasons, most commonly in fall and winter when there’s less sunlight. The reduced exposure to sunlight can disrupt the body’s internal clock (circadian rhythm) and affect our serotonin and melatonin levels, which play crucial roles in mood regulation and sleep patterns.

Symptoms of SAD

The symptoms of SAD can vary from person to person but often include:

· Persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or irritability

· Low energy and fatigue

· Changes in appetite or weight, often with cravings for carbohydrates

· Difficulty concentrating

· Oversleeping or insomnia

· Withdrawal from social activities

· Feelings of worthlessness or guilt

Managing Seasonal Affective Disorder

If you suspect you might be experiencing SAD, there are several strategies that can help manage its effects:

Regular Exercise: Engaging in regular physical activity is known to boost mood and alleviate symptoms of depression. Exercise releases endorphins, which are natural mood lifters.

Healthy Lifestyle Choices: Prioritizing a healthy lifestyle by eating a balanced diet, getting enough sleep, and avoiding excessive alcohol and substance use can help manage symptoms of SAD.

Seeking Professional Help: If symptoms persist and significantly interfere with daily life, seeking professional help from a therapist or psychiatrist is crucial. They can provide therapy, prescribe medications, or suggest other treatments tailored to individual needs.

Creating a Supportive Environment: Surrounding yourself with a supportive network of friends, family, or support groups can be immensely helpful in managing SAD. Sharing experiences and seeking understanding can alleviate feelings of isolation.

Planning Ahead: Knowing that SAD might recur in specific seasons, planning ahead by incorporating coping strategies into daily routines can be beneficial. This could involve scheduling enjoyable activities or setting up a routine that prioritizes self-care during darker months.

Seasonal Affective Disorder is a legitimate condition that affects many individuals during specific times of the year. By understanding its symptoms, seeking appropriate treatment, and incorporating coping mechanisms, individuals can effectively manage SAD and lessen its impact on their mental health. Remember, you’re not alone, and help is available to navigate through the challenges posed by SAD

10/03/2023

Our mental health is integral to our overall well-being. Just like we take care of our physical health, it's crucial to nurture our minds and hearts. Mental Health Awareness Month reminds us that mental health is not a personal matter but a collective responsibility. When we support one another, offer a listening ear, and show kindness, we contribute to creating a world where everyone feels understood and accepted, regardless of their mental health status.

World Mental Health Day, observed on October 10th, takes this awareness a step further by uniting people across the globe to emphasize the importance of mental health advocacy, education, and awareness. It’s a day dedicated to spreading knowledge about various mental health conditions, the available treatments, and the resources that can aid those in need. By educating ourselves and others, we can reduce the stigma, encourage early intervention, and promote a more supportive society for everyone affected by mental health issues.

At Blueskies, we are committed to serving the community by providing accessible, high quality outpatient counseling for children, teens, adults, and couples. Seeking professional help is a crucial step towards healing and growth. If you or a loved one is seeking counseling services, please take a look at our website at https://blueskieswellnessinc.org/

The World Health Organization (WHO) shares more information on Mental Health Awareness Month, including this year’s theme which is -

“Mental health is a universal human right”.

Find more details & ways to show your support this month by visiting the WHO website here > https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-mental-health-day/2023

Find out about this year's World Mental Health Day campaign (10 October) and how you can get involved.

07/19/2023

Did you know...

Blueskies Behavioral Health Services is now apart of Handshake!

Check out our company profile and browse our current career opportunities for licensed clinicians and graduate level interns here > https://app.joinhandshake.com/emp/employers/900268

We look forward to connecting with you :)

06/18/2023

To all the dads, step-dads, grandfathers, brothers, uncles, cousins, and anyone who takes on the role of father - Happy Father’s Day 💙 You are so important & appreciated.

05/22/2023

According to Cross River Therapy, the average American spends 7 hours and 4 minutes looking at a screen each day.

Technology has its advantages, but too much phone and internet usage comes with damaging effects to your physical and mental health.

Plus - if you’re always looking at a screen, you’ll miss the present moment!

Good Rx Health says that those who spend 6 or more hours looking at a screen each day were more likely to experience symptoms of depression.

They also share some of the physical effects of too much screen time such as weight gain and vision problems, to name a few.

As our world becomes more and more technologically driven, it is essential that we become mindful of how much time we are spending on our smart phones, tablets, computers and similar devices.

One way to manage screen time is by setting personal boundaries around when and how much you spend behind the screen.

Taking conscious steps to limit your screen time will allow you more time and energy to experience life and connect with others in real time.

Eyes up, phones down. It’s time to disconnect to connect! 🙌

Sources:

https://www.goodrx.com/health-topic/mental-health/too-much-screen-time-looking-at-your-phone-is-bad #:~:text=Increased%20eye%20strain%2C%20dry%20eyes,even%20for%20a%20few%20minutes

https://www.goodrx.com/health-topic/mental-health/too-much-screen-time-looking-at-your-phone-is-bad #:~:text=Increased%20eye%20strain%2C%20dry%20eyes,even%20for%20a%20few%20minutes

05/19/2023

"Rapid social learning, increased sensitivity to respect, and a drive toward new experiences are just a few of the factors that make adolescence a key window of opportunity." - UCLA

Did you know that according to UNICEF, there are approximately 1.3 billion adolescents in the world today?

It is essential that we, as a society, provide the proper guidance, care, support, and encouragement for our young people to help them grow into the best versions of themselves.

Our youth are the leaders of tomorrow!

Research from UCLA presents 6 Fast Facts about adolescent development, reminding us that adolescents are "a force for good".

Check out the article here >

Rapid social learning, increased sensitivity to respect, and a drive toward new experiences are just a few of the factors that make adolescence a key window of opportunity. We review these research-based factors and a few more in this quick overview.

05/18/2023

Mental Health Matters!
& Therapy can help.

Read about the benefits of psychotherapy here ⬇️

05/17/2023

Burn-out has become a common phenomenon in today’s fast-paced world. According to the APA Dictionary of Psychology, burn-out is described as “physical, emotional, or mental exhaustion, accompanied by decreased motivation, lower performance, and negative attitudes towards oneself and others”. Without proper awareness and self-regulation, the warning signs of burn-out can be dismissed, and you may find yourself reaching burn-out more frequently.

Cleveland clinic shares that other signs of burn-out may include frequent headaches, sleep disturbances, changes in appetite, and feeling dissatisfied. Dr. Borland warns that “it’s usually once burn-out has really taken hold, that’s when you might say ‘something’s off here’”. This highlights the growing need for mental healthcare providers to further educate clients on how to avoid burn-out and maintain consistent wellbeing.

The following suggestions are from Cleveland Clinic -

1. Seek a therapist
2. Build in breaks and personal check-ins into your schedule
3. Exercise and stay active
4. Practice mindfulness
5. Establish a daily routine
6. Set and enforce healthy boundaries
7. Explore a hobby
8. Cultivate balance

If you or a loved one is facing burn-out on a regular basis, it may be time to take intentional action to incorporate more consistency, balance and rest into your daily life.

05/16/2023

“Children must have at least one person who believes in them. It could be a counselor, a teacher, a preacher, a friend. It could be you. You never know when a little love, a little support will plant a small seed of hope” ~ Marian Wright Edelman

05/15/2023

Happy Monday! We wanted to start the week off with a reminder that May is Mental Health Awareness Month. During this time, articles, statistics, and resources on mental health care will be easily accessible. Take a moment this month to make sure you are up to date on all things mental health & don’t be afraid to ask for help! You are not alone. 🤍

05/14/2023

Wishing you a day of joy, love, remembrance, and peace.

Happy Mother’s Day from Blueskies! 💐

05/13/2023

Take a moment this month to learn some mental health tips using the video link below -

05/13/2023

May Is Mental Health Awareness Month

11/04/2022

Happy November from Blueskies! 💙💛

Keep reading for exciting announcements from our clinic -

WE ARE HIRING FOR MULTIPLE POSITIONS!

LMHC
LISCW
LSCW
Part-time and full-time Administrative roles
LISCW part-time Clinical Supervisor
Remote-only Licensed Mental Health Counselors
Master’s Level Interns

For more details on these positions and to apply, visit our career page at blueskieswellnessinc.org/careers/

WE ARE NOW OFFERING SHORT-TERM TELEHEALTH ONLY COUNSELING

3-4 month treatment plans
Entirely virtual process
Shorter waitlist
For relationship disputes, general anxiety, depression, etc.

CHECK OUT OUR 2022 YEAR END GIVING CAMPAIGN ON GO FUND ME

If you haven’t yet, please visit our Go Fund Me page to learn more about our Year End Appeal. This year, we are focusing on supporting our youth. Any donation amount is greatly appreciated and will contribute to making a difference in the community.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/blueskies-behavioral-heath-year-end-giving

Please feel free to share this link with your connections!

LASTLY, THANK YOU!

Blueskies is so thankful for the continued support we receive from our community and beyond. Thank you to our clients, families, partners, and community for all that you do.

Join the Blueskies team! Blueskies Behavioral Health Services, Inc., is growing and we’re seeking licensed professionals who value a positive work environment, are committed to providing excel…

10/21/2022

BLUESKIES BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES 2022 YEAR END APPEAL

As we wrap up the year of 2022, we reflect on the outstanding level of care we were able to provide to the community thanks to our stellar team of clinicians, administrative staff, clinical directors, volunteers and partners. THANK YOU!
We are so grateful & we could not do it without all of you.
Here at Blueskies, we are planning and preparing to enter the new year well equipped to serve the community. For our 2022 Year End Giving Campaign we are focusing on the youth of America. We plan to use donations to provide resources and clinical mental health care to local teens struggling with their mental health or challenging life circumstances. See below for more details on how we plan to use this year’s donations:

$20 can…

* Provide 100 youth with mental health resources to identify warning signs of teen depression & anxiety.

$50 can…

* Provide youth with educational material on the dangers of teen isolation

* Contribute to anti-drug and alcohol campaigns geared towards our youth

* Provide teens with guidance in learning the tools needed to help them establish healthy coping mechanisms

$75 can…

* Fund family counseling & provide parents with the support they need to best support their struggling teen

* Contribute to teaching our youth about the importance of internet safety

$100 can…

* Allow us to hire administrative support to support our clinic’s overall functionality

* Fund Blueskies’ public service announcements made via social media and local radio stations

$150+ can…

* Provide one teen with weekly, hour long therapy sessions with one of our trained clinicians

* Allow us to hire additional licensed mental health counselors to serve a larger portion of the community

💙 Blueskies remains dedicated to growing, evolving and expanding to meet the needs of our diverse range of clients. In order to reach our goal and continue providing exceptional service to the community, we are asking for your help! Do you want to get involved in building the future of mental healthcare? Do you want to give back to the community? Any donation amount is greatly appreciated and will contribute to making a difference. 💙

DONATE HERE https://gofund.me/d94d71aa

09/12/2022

September means it’s Back to School time! This adjustment period can be challenging for both the adolescent and their family, especially in a post-pandemic environment. While the beginning of the school year brings in new routines and fresh starts, it can also bring feelings of stress and anxiety. In this post, you will find helpful tips, tricks and routines intended to support you/your child in making this school year a success.

Create Routines

Children thrive when provided with a consistent routine. Implementing routines can increase feelings of security and ease. This could mean predictable morning and bedtime routines, or designating specific times for tasks like homework and chores. Healthy routines lead to healthy living habits and can provide both the child and the family with more organization and structure.

Teaching Your Child About Emotional Regulation

One of the most important traits a parent or guardian could exercise with their children is active listening. When a child is free to voice their emotions, opinions and experiences with the people they are closest to, this creates a foundation for improving communication skills and building strong relationships. It is important that you give your child your full attention when they come to you with challenges, and to validate the feelings they are experiencing. Emotional regulation can be taught and practiced through breathwork; pausing to take three to five deep breaths when feeling overwhelmed, and identifying the emotion so that we may respond, instead of react. Calming tools and open communication are just two ways to help you or your child manage difficult emotions, especially those which may come with school anxiety.

Developing a Plan for School Related Conflicts

With each new school year, comes a unique set of challenges for children as they navigate life outside the home. Peer conflicts, fluctuating grades, and school-related stresses are common, and likely to occur at some point in a child’s life. Developing a plan to face these conflicts with your child can help the both of you feel well equipped to manage, or even prevent these challenges. Having a plan in place to help your child cope with potential school related conflicts will also aid them in becoming independent young adults.

Getting a Good Night’s Sleep and Eating Healthy

As most of us probably know by now, sleep is SO important, not only just for children, but for all of us. It is essential that children get at least 8-10 hours of sleep a night, combined with a healthy diet and an ample amount of exercise. These healthy habits will only support your child in their overall well being - physically, mentally and emotionally.

Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help

Sometimes school related conflicts need a more rigorous intervention, and that’s okay! There is a great amount of resources out there to help improve your child’s experience at school. Some options include inquiring about an Individualized Education Program (IEP), scheduling sessions with the school counselor, or receiving mental health/behavioral services outside of school.
Below you will find a list of resources that could be of benefit to you and your child during this school year :

CBHI Key Program Inc.
Offering therapeutic mentoring & in-home therapy for youth under 21 years of age.
https://www.key.org/programs/childrens-behavioral-health-initiative

JRI Services
Therapeutic mentoring, in-home therapy, family support & training, and more.
https://jri.org/services/community/childrens-friend-and-family-services

Massachusetts Parents Sharing Resources Page
A list of local resources to help & support families
https://jri.org/sites/default/files/inline-files/Family%20Sharing%20Resource%202022%20R5.pdf

Community Day Learning
Before & after school enrichment programs for children in the Lawrence & Methuen area
https://www.thecommunitygroupinc.org/community-day-learning/programs/school-age

Blueskies Behavioral Health Services offers outpatient therapy for individuals of all ages. If you or your child could benefit from counseling services, join our waitlist today! Call 978-655-1823.
To learn more about us, please visit www.blueskieswellnessinc.org
You Deserve to be Happy.