Making a difference

Making a difference

by | Apr 21, 2023 | Belinda's Thoughts, Community, Friday's Inspiration, Recovery

Making a difference

This has not been an easy time for those of you who are in law enforcement and emergency response.

You repeatedly bear witness to people on their worst days and still continue to dedicate yourselves to a life of service.

Our society would not function without you.

Please know that this does not go unnoticed. What you do is appreciated.

We often refer to the Landing Strong community. This is not just those of you who have participated in our programs, but all of those military members, veterans, first responders, frontline healthcare workers, correctional staff, and more who collectively have chosen a life that is both challenging and has incredible impact on all the members of the public who benefit from your efforts.
You do make a difference.

Warm thoughts,

Belinda Seagram, Ph.D., R. Psych.
Executive Director, Landing Strong

The beauty in vulnerability

The beauty in vulnerability

by | Apr 14, 2023 | Belinda's Thoughts, Community, Creativity, Friday's Inspiration, Recovery

The beauty in vulnerability

Fifteen years ago, I wrote a book about my experiences working as a psychologist in a federal penitentiary. It’s dark, haunted, and not surprisingly, unpublished. It remains an important part of me, and I can appreciate it from a new perspective now. The work in the prison was powerful but not something I could do long term while maintaining my health.

I’ve always found it helpful to use creative forms of self-expression as a way of processing my emotions. I’m working on a new book now, and it feels very different, almost as though a different author is writing it. Where I am today is very different to how I felt fifteen years ago.

Creative self-expression is a theme that has been prominent in our Landing Strong community members as well. As people recover, they are able to show themselves to the world through their work; be it photography, art, woodworking or writing.

Each piece is very different, but they are similar in that they are accurate reflections of that person’s experience. I’ve come to appreciate that what makes art beautiful is not only the piece itself, but the honesty and vulnerability that went into creating it.

Warm thoughts,

Belinda Seagram, Ph.D., R. Psych.
Executive Director, Landing Strong

Hardwired to Help

Hardwired to Help

by | Mar 31, 2023 | Belinda's Thoughts, Community, Friday's Inspiration, Self-Awareness

Hardwired to Help

When people call 911, it’s an indication that something is wrong, and they require help. We’re trained to look for problems.

The same is true for most military members, health care professionals and first responders.

When things are going well, the phone tends to be silent. People reach out because they need something. Our work trains us to approach each interaction looking to quickly assess the problem, and see how we might assist.

This can be a hard pattern to step out of when we leave the office or our work.

It can be exhausting. At work, there may always be a problem. When we go home, it’s important that we allow ourselves to rest. It makes the challenging moments more rewarding and keeps us healthier in the long run.

Allow yourselves to enjoy the silent moments when they occur. Our best selves emerge after stretches of quality down time. This is only possible when we are able to truly allow ourselves to be off duty.

Warm thoughts,

Belinda Seagram, Ph.D., R. Psych.
Executive Director, Landing Strong

Only you know what your needs are

Only you know what your needs are

by | Mar 24, 2023 | Belinda's Thoughts, Community, Friday's Inspiration, Self-Awareness

Only you know what your needs are

Everyone responds to trauma differently. Whether it’s directly, or through secondary exposure, it’s normal to need support at some point in time. You and a co-worker might have been exposed to the same traumatic event. They might seem fine while you feel shaken. Their experience does not invalidate yours. If something in you feels off, there’s likely a good reason for it. It’s not what happens that’s important, but rather the meaning within the context of our lives that counts.

A diagnosis isn’t required to join our community. We can help you access the support and care that you need to get things moving. If you feel like something isn’t quite right and would like assistance getting back to who you want to be, we’d love to help.

You are the expert in knowing what you need. Only you know what is truly going on inside.

Group members are non-judgemental and welcoming, regardless of how long or in what capacity you served.

Warm thoughts,

Belinda Seagram, Ph.D., R. Psych.
Executive Director, Landing Strong

Reclaiming our place within community

Reclaiming our place within community

by | Mar 17, 2023 | Belinda's Thoughts, Community, Friday's Inspiration, Self-Awareness

Reclaiming our place within community

Often following injury, we withdraw. Over time, this becomes the norm, not the exception. Even the thought of entering busy crowded places can become overwhelming. We forget that often the reason these places are so busy is because they are generally where people are having fun. It’s not a threat, but a place of joy.

I was sitting in a restaurant, and there was a very happy large table of people beside me. It was clear that they were a group of friends having a great time midweek. I was delighted to recognize one of our Landing Strong Members among them. This person later shared that this is not something they would have been doing last year. Now it is a regular highlight of their week.

“I wouldn’t never have been able to be in a big group like that before doing group programs with Landing Strong.”

Participating in programs is an important step in recovering joy.

It allows us to gain comfort sharing and being seen by others.

Warm thoughts,

Belinda Seagram, Ph.D., R. Psych.
Executive Director, Landing Strong

Making space for reflection

Making space for reflection

by | Mar 10, 2023 | Belinda's Thoughts, Community, Friday's Inspiration, Self-Awareness

Making space for reflection

As I look forward to taking a week-long vacation later this month, I am reminded of the importance of pacing in any of the work we do. Recovery may be a full time job, but like any job, it’s necessary to take breaks. The trick is knowing when we need to rest and for how long, mindful that it doesn’t turn into avoidance. One of the most important things about vacation is that it allows us time to return and see things from a fresh perspective. Meaningful changes happen when we allow ourselves the time and space for reflection.

Where do I hope to be in five years?

What about this time next year?

How do I want to feel?

What is my recovery mission?

All you have to know is the desired destination. We’ll help you with the journey.

We are offering a number of programs leading up to the summer:

  • Our monthly Maintaining Health program is this coming Friday (not our usual Thursday).
  • We still have spots in Overcoming Trauma: Your Past is not your future, starting later this month.

Give us a call so we can help you get to where you want to be.

Warm thoughts,

Belinda Seagram, Ph.D., R. Psych.
Executive Director, Landing Strong