Kim Longbottom LCSW, LCAS, CCS, MAC

14/08/2025

NASW Responds to President Trump's Executive Order on Homelessness
President Donald Trump's July 24 executive order titled "Ending Crime and Disorder on America's Streets" targets individuals who are unhoused by framing homelessness as a public safety threat.

The order states: "The overwhelming majority of these (unhoused) individuals are addicted to drugs, have a mental health condition, or both. Nearly two-thirds of homeless individuals report having regularly used hard drugs like methamphetamines, co***ne, or opioids in their lifetimes. An equally large share of homeless individuals reported suffering from mental health conditions."

NASW responded with a blog post and a news release strongly opposing the executive order, which includes language in direct conflict with social work's purpose and ethics, including the approach of "meeting people where they are."

"This order criminalizes poverty and does little to address mental illness, economic distress and other issues that cause homelessness," NASW stated. "Social work is rooted in the belief that every person, regardless of mental health, addiction or housing status situation, deserves dignity, compassion and the right to thrive. Homelessness is not a crime. Mental illness and addiction are not moral failings, and systems-level solutions must be grounded in care, not punishment."

In my professional opinion a significant amount of homelessness is related to job loss and layoffs. Approaching this situation with curiosity and care could go a long way in rectifying their circumstances, not cutting programs, laying people off and criminalizing homelessness.

20/07/2025

Laughter is the best medicine! Nate Bargatze

02/06/2025

I borrowed this from a friend:

This needs to be shared, needs to be read, and most importantly heard.

Sertraline- Zoloft
Venlafaxine- Effexor
Citalopram- Celexa
Mirtazapine-Remeron
Fluoxetine- Prozac
Duloxetine- Cymbalta
Seroquel- Quetiapine
Lamictal- Lamotrigine
Lexapro- Escitalopram
Wellbutrin- Bupropion
Lorazepam- Ativan
Klonopin- Clonazepam
Abilify - aripiprazole
Tegrotal - carabamezipine
Buspar - buspirone

You may know what these tablets are or know a loved one who takes them, but in case you don't, I will fill you in. That medication allows people to deal with a normal day to day life. Although most days it leaves them tired, spaced out, emotionless, or even super emotional.
Crazy right? Why would anyone want to feel like that?
Well this is why!!
You see, some people suffer from severe depression and anxiety.
In their brain it doesn't sit right, something seems different. They notice little differences that other people wouldn't. Most days they wake up sick and feel sleepless.
They consistently overthink every situation.
Was a comment about them; was it a joke?
Was that person supposed to laugh?
Or did they mean it?
Are they being nice?
Are they talking about them?
Do they talk about them?
They then think, I bet they don’t like me really.
They say sorry all the time. They feel like they annoy everyone.
And for all those questions they will spend hours trying to answer. Let it all build up in their mind, until it sends them to tears...... it's mental that they see things that way.
It's not only mental changes, but physical changes. They don't eat a lot or they eat way too much. Insomnia, up all night answering questions to situations that don't even exist, or sleep too much and waste half their day still feeling tired.
They still smile and they have every excuse for when you ask why.
But the tablets can help them. Because they know when they start to feel this way or think this way, they need help.
They know that when their behavior starts to change, They need guidance. And they understand that they don't need to be ashamed. They don't need to be understood. They just need to be accepted. Everyone is fighting a battle and sometimes you need to be kinder.
So I may just be another person who's talking about mental health....
Living with this illness is hard, but trying to understand it, is even harder. It’s also 100 times harder if they have another condition on top of this.
Don't suffer in silence.
Mental health is just as important as physical health.
Be part of the healing.💚
Be understanding.💚
Be kind. 💚
Sometimes don’t even try to understand, just simply love that person, support them, and be there when they need you. Some people in my life have truly mastered this, and for you I will forever be grateful! (unknown author) Shared by a friend.

12/05/2025

Sunset!

09/05/2025

07/05/2025

Just going to leave that right there!

10/04/2025

This is such an important message

05/03/2025

Be who you are.

01/03/2025

Just a little humor for your weekend! ☺️

19/02/2025

You may be dealing with a narcissist if they are communicating in this way.