A Note

© B.Garcia 2015

A Note:

Good day to all. As many of you know, I am struggling with depression and general anxiety...more intense lately...but you know what? I will win. I am a facilitator of a Resource Community Center (east of Massachusetts). If somebody is from this part of Massachusetts let me know. 

I am so happy to be able to reach others. Sometimes it is overwhelmed, but it is because mental conditions are difficult to explain and more difficult to understand. Advocacy for people who suffer OCD, PTSD, Depression, Anxieties or other disorders or even traumas most take place everywhere, but more important is to learn not to look for pity or sympathy. Education is a great tool to understand ourselves first and then, teach others. The ones who don't understand don't need to be explained anymore. Look for other resources can be use. We just need to get out of bed and feel the present...get out and feel nature, have a picnic by yourself, families or friends. 

Without education, I couldn't cope by rationalizing the process of the crisis, fears, or any other behavior that is not what define us. Lets us wake up and little by little take responsibility of our conditions. Yes, there will be times that we cannot handle anything...so relax and breathe in and out by moving your stomach with every breath instead of your upper body or chest. This can be done 10 times if you can. Slowly calm your thoughts that are useless and feel your soul with a realistic though. Remember that we are responsible for our own conditions but these conditions do not define us. Thank you for reading.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder; Awareness and Support

© 2012 PeaceLove Studios

Some time ago, as many other days, I was searching on the Internet for information regarding Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), associations, symptoms, therapies, and any other related topic.  Although I have been facing depression and anxieties, the diagnoses I have been given were: Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Major Depression.  A psychological test administered two years ago, introduced me to PTSD and OCD, but the results of the test were never discussed in detail with me.  My symptoms do meet the criteria for those two illnesses, but there was something else that was not clearly pointed out by the psychiatrists I was seen until September of 2012, when I had my last hospitalization.  The Psychiatrist in charge of me at the hospital took her time to observe and detect those symptoms that were misunderstood for so long by other professionals.  Finally, I was diagnosed with OCD and some PTSD which bring up the depression and the anxieties.  Not only she recognized my illness, but she discussed a treatment plan that was going to start while at the hospital.  Those two weeks opened my mind to a new way to understand and cope with my mental illness.  Dialectical Behavior Therapy has been my path for the last three months.  Mindful awareness of, emotion regulation.  DBT has been more effective for me than Cognitive Therapy alone.

My desire and need to know about my mental Illness and the best available tools to cope day by day have motivated me to search for other projects, groups and other people's stories to create awareness, acceptance, as well as, assist those with mental illnesses to belong somewhere in society without fear of a stigma.

One of these new programs is PeaceLove Studio, founded by Jeff Sparr:

I invite you to take a look at this program and its mission and impact:

© 2012 PeaceLove Studios

If you want more information about peacelove visit: PeaceLove Studios

Preventing Homelessness

© 2013 B. Garcia

There would not be a need to help homeless people if 

homelessness is prevented. 

Isn't it better to assist a person who knows will imminently become homeless instead of  waiting for him/her to be on the streets in order to be considered for emergency housing?  Many do not take into consideration that although there are individuals who prefer to be on the streets instead of living in a shelter or apartment, there are others who are able to be independent, care for a home, and even start a new and successful life when housing assistant is provided.  Those, like me, who are OCD and Anxiety survivors are not taken into account for housing the same way elderly or people with children do.  Having a home brings to many a sense of belonging, dignity and motivation for living a productive life.  It is imperative to modify the bureaucratic criteria and processes for people without a home to wait for years (3-10) in order to receive housing assistance.  The screening processes do not work properly when they have to deal with people with mental illnesses who are capable to live an independent life.  This group is lost in the system because only families with children or elderly individuals are the priorities.  Where is the help for those with mental conditions who were professionals at one point in their lives and now are under disability?  Where are we in the system?  I have been looking for a safe home for a year and still do not have any place I can call home.  

If not for me, I am advocating for those who do not have a voice.