Southern Dutchess Behavioral Group

01/24/2022

No matter how cold it is outside, a kind word can always warm your heart❄️❤️

01/04/2022

🎉Happy New Year from all of us at Southern Dutchess Behavioral Group 🎉

09/03/2021

07/14/2021

All about the balance.

Life is all about the balancing act.
How you spend your time.
What you focus on.
Where you put your values.
How you shed your tears.
On the other side of every hard time is a beautiful time…patiently waiting for you.
Never lose hope.
But you will certainly lose your balance.
But find the things that bring you back and let them guide you to where you need to go.
Never come back the same way for it is those lessons that teach us the most.
Living and learning instead of pain and suffering.
Release me.💚

07/08/2021

This...

Such a circle of pain. In the very beginning of my journey,I remember my grief counselor saying you will lose friends. In my head I was like great how much more loss can I take? I also remember a couple of times when I said no to things, people would say its best if you go out, maybe not understanding that its a chore to get ready, pretending to listen to conversations but you can’t because your brain has you worrying about everything, and doubting why you came out at all. Then if you stay home you see the pictures on social media, and feel lonely. You start to doubt who you are anymore, Who would want to be around me, I am not fun, I am sad, I am in pain, I hurt. I did lose friends. Those who could not understand my grief. Those who couldn’t understand I need to be with my grief alone and it had nothing to do with them. And I also realized that it was ok to feel this way. I would say to people please continue to ask me to do things. I want to be there and laugh and dance but somedays its to hard. Please don’t forget about me, I am struggling, my needs change constantly. I am trying to hold my friendship together but its hard because I can barely breathe on somedays.
So for those who are struggling , it is ok to feel a million things. You feel like a hypocrite. I want to do something, no I want to stay home. Remind your Friends of your battles. If you lose friends its ok. It doesn’t mean they are bad people, they are just not able to support you. You will find others will!! You are not a burden! You are in transition!! Love and Light my Friends!💕

05/22/2021

This...

One of the biggest stigmas associated with mental illnesses, medication.I hear it a lot. I am afraid to go to therapy because they may want me to take medication . People sometimes are more terrified to take medication then possibly feel better. When you have an organ that is not working properly you may have to take medication to feel better. Like an inhaler for asthma, insulin for diabetes etc. All of our brain chemistry is different. You may need medication in the beginning to stabilize you. You may not need medication at all. I just want people to know, that its ok either way. Get the help that you need.
If you are friend of someone who takes medication please do not say comments like, they must be off their meds...
This makes people uncomfortable to share their lives. No one wants to be known as the crazy person. No one would chose to live a life with depression, anxiety. This is not a choice for them.
For those who are struggling, with treatment and tools you can live a happy and healthy life!!
Love and Light My Friends!💕

05/19/2021

Signs of Anxiety...

I think for me dealing with my anxiety I have to check myself. My anxiety onset there are usually signs I need to focus on ,before I get overridden or overwhelmed. People ask how I deal with these feelings. I use tools to help me. I know you may think how could that stop you from feeling stress. I meditate to calm myself and focus. I go outside to allow my eyes to focus on the beauty, I write in my journal to get thoughts out of mind or to see all things I am grateful for.
Learn to know yourself without judgment. Respect the signs. And if you are supporting someone with mental illness, know that these signs have nothing to do with you, its their mind crying out through their body.
Love and Light my Friends!💕

04/06/2021

This...

High functioning anxiety

04/01/2021

This...

To change the stigma associated with mental illnesses,we need to stop stereotyping. I know before James’s death what I thought a person with mental illness looked like, it was not James. What he presented to the world was different from what was inside his mind!Now I know not everyone is happy on the inside!!! There are many degrees. Be kind, be attentive, you don’t know who may be struggling!!
Love and Light My Friends!💕

03/25/2021

02/14/2021

Finding yourself...

02/05/2021

Check-in on your people.

Those who knew James knew he was very funny and a goof ball. His smile always remembered !!!Check in on your goof balls! Love and Light My Friends!!💕

02/04/2021

This.....

It is so hard to reach out to people when you have a chronic disorder. It feels like your wasting peoples time by saying the same things over and over. Sometimes you feel like you are using your tools and you are still going through the same thoughts. This is normal. Commit to the journey. Reach out to different people. I think that having outside resource like a therapist is great. I still go to grief therapy every week. Sometimes I think I don’t need it and I realize it is a big help in keeping my thoughts on the right track. When you feel you just can’t talk then write. I keep a pad next to my bed. When I lay down at night full of anxiety because this is always a great time for my brain to remind me that James is dead, I write out what is going on in my mind. I then sometimes analyze and realize most of the time these fears can wait for tomorrow. Love and Light My Friends 💕

01/28/2021

Being a Mom is hard sometimes...

01/13/2021

One of the questions we have been asked at our speaking engagements, How to help a friend? When forming James’s Warriors one of the main purpose was to start conversations about mental illnesses. The more we talk the more comfortable we get. Talk does saves lives. We may be listening to a friend but we all need to be comfortable in asking those hard and uncomfortable questions? Are you thinking about su***de, and do you have a plan? Here is just a couple of things to do when talking as a friend. If you are a child or a teen its best to get help with getting a adult involved. Remember its sometimes better to overreact than under.
Love and Light my Friends!💕

01/05/2021

This....

James’s Warriors wants to bring you facts and maybe changes of thoughts. I know now that I myself before James’s su***de believed in many myths about someone who is suicidal. I never thought my son would die by su***de. I have learned so much and we hope to get the opportunities to teach others, so we can save a lives.
I have heard over and over, they are not going to kill themselves, they are looking for attention. If they were really going to do it they would not say it. We never know what is going on in someones mind. If someone is saying these things for attention, they also in need of love, listening and attention. Be kind, its hard for people who are battling themselves. Love and Light my Friends!💕

12/29/2020

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