Resilience Lab

Disability Pride Month originated in the United States to commemorate the passing of the July 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Today, it’s a global event that celebrates people with disabilities, their cultures, and their contributions—aiming to shift perceptions, end stigma, and affirm disability as natural human diversity. This month and always, let’s keep in mind: "Words are powerful." Scroll to learn a few points from the ADA National Network on how to write and speak about people with disabilities:

Feeling stressed or overwhelmed? Take a Mindful Minute to meditate with this simple drawing exercise, shared by Stav Koinis, LMSW on our team, and inspired by Richland Library 1️⃣ Gather supplies: Get a sheet of paper and a pen, marker, or pencil. 2️⃣ Find a quiet space: Settle yourself in a calm area with a flat surface. 3️⃣ Start drawing: Touch pen to paper and draw a circle. Feel the pen against the paper, and notice any sounds it makes. 4️⃣ Continue drawing: Draw another circle, then another. Feel your muscles relax with each circle. Embrace wobbliness as part of the experience. Focus on the open center of the circle, pushing away any distractions. 5️⃣ Reflect: After a minute, admire your work. Enjoy a sense of calm and centeredness.

Whether it’s finally getting that closet decluttered or successfully leading a presentation at work, we all have moments we feel proud of. Take time to give yourself a high-five with this Mindful Minute, as shared by Stav Koinis, LMSW on our team!

Do you overly prioritize others' needs over your own? Feel excessively responsible for their emotions? Struggle with setting boundaries? You might be experiencing codependency—a complex dynamic where your self-worth hinges on meeting others' needs. Here are tips on how to maintain your own individuality as you develop relationships with others: • Recognize and appreciate each person’s individuality in the relationship • Maintain a healthy partnership while actively supporting each other’s personal ambitions • Foster individual growth alongside collective growth in the relationship Explore signs of codependency and strategies for change in our latest article: https://lnkd.in/gkq25sv9

At a recent town hall meeting, Resilience Lab NY clinician Shweta (Shway) Modi, LMSW shared a grounding exercise that draws from the basic elements we experience throughout the day. Find a quiet spot and be still for just a minute. Think about Earth. Water. Fire. Wind. As you think of each element, engage your body in an actual physical movement inspired by said element. For example, tap your foot for earth, sip from your favorite glass for water, rub your hands together for fire, and breathe deeply for wind. This somatic exercise can enhance focus and well-being instantly. Try it out and feel the difference!

You’ve probably heard of the “midlife crisis”–a moment when folks around their 50s may undertake deep self-reflection (and buy a sports car?). But in reality, this sort of existential crisis can occur to anyone, at any moment throughout life. Perhaps you’ve just gotten married, or welcomed a new baby into the family. Or maybe you’ve switched jobs, or moved to a new neighborhood. Any number of life changes might cause you to start thinking about how you want your life to be, versus what it actually is now. So how exactly do you navigate this moment of questioning? Start small: • Practice mindfulness • Show self-compassion • Plan for the future • Start a gratitude journal • Build and lean on your support system • Make tweaks to your habits • Align what you do with your values A professional therapist can also help with setting goals and moving forward. In the meantime, you can read more about existential crises here: https://lnkd.in/gJ32mxMR

Can you remember playing a rousing game of “This or That?” as a kid (or an adult)? Reflecting on your preferences makes for an especially delightful moment of mindfulness, as our team recently discovered. Try this Mindful Minute as shared by Stav Koinis, LMSW on our team. Get comfortable and consider–do you like this, or that: Take a moment after reading each pair to feel what resonates with you and why–there’s no wrong answer. And you just may find yourself realizing … “neither!”

For those seeking mental health care, a myriad of barriers exist. One of the most prominent? Cost of care. We believe that any provider strategy to improve accessibility must include affordability. Therefore, we continue to prioritize new insurer partnerships. To this end, we are excited to announce that we are now providing in-network services to Highmark BCBS members. “Through our contract with Highmark, we can now offer more options for high quality, affordable services to nearly two million additional PA residents,” says our VP of Payer and Revenue Cycle Management, Stephen O'Beirne, LCSW For more information on our insurer partners: https://lnkd.in/gDGZcWPT

On June 13th, Resilience Lab joined the Urban League of Westchester for the transformative event "From Trauma to Triumph.” Mental health providers, educators, and others who work with local underserved communities came together to share, listen, and learn. Our very own Beatrice Hirsch, LMSW, participated on a distinguished panel including Dr. Maysa Akbar, Dr. Andrew Belland, and Jen L., Deputy Commissioner of the Mount Vernon Police Department. A few takeaways? • Resilience isn’t merely an individual trait. It can also be a reflection of the broader societal systems that either support or hinder personal growth. • Kindness and empathy can dismantle shame and stigma, paving the way for open, constructive dialogue. • Instead of asking "What's wrong with you?", ask "What's happened to you?" or "What didn't happen for you?" to foster understanding and support. "If only THIS conversation could be heard by the whole country," one of the 100 attendees said. We look forward to continuing these important conversations within our communities.

Suicide takes a heavy toll on our youth, leading to more deaths in 10-24 year olds than nearly any other cause. LGBTQIA+ youth are especially vulnerable—facing a 4x higher likelihood of attempting suicide. Our Executive Clinical Director and Provost Dr. Anica Camela Mulzac shares, “As mental health professionals, our first priority is the safety and wellbeing of our clients. While it is never fun to discuss, it is extremely important that we all refresh and sharpen our skills in tackling this sensitive and consequential issue.” This month, via the Resilience Institute’s Amplified Learning Series, clinicians are focusing on how to support people dealing with self-injury and suicidality. Drawing upon the personalization pillar of our Resilience Methodology, clinicians refresh their ability to identify unique presentations and tailor custom-fit interventions. To speak to someone urgently for crisis support, dial 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. For crisis support and information for the LGBTQIA+ community, visit The Trevor Project: https://lnkd.in/gSG_Ckx