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As the editor of North Country This Week and North Country Now, Jimmy Lawton has been one of the voices behind our news coverage here in the North Country for the last fifteen years. He has recently begun an editorial column that is a little bit different than what he is used to, venturing into something a little more personal, and having some conversations that are not easy to talk about, but necessary in the world that we live in today. Dave and I joined Jimmy in the newsroom to talk a little more in depth about his recent article: “Why we can’t stay silent on suicide: reporting on taboo topics is important to ending mental health stigma.”

Watch for Jimmy’s column “The Editor’s Notebook” on North Country Now. I know that we are looking forward to hearing more from Jimmy as he gets this column off the ground. 

If you or a loved one are struggling or having suicidal thoughts you can visit the St. Lawrence County Government website to find a list of local Mental Health Service Providers including:

Outpatient Treatment
Inpatient Treatment
Vocational Services
Peer Support Services/Psychosocial Clubs
Residential Services
Children’s Respite Services
Addiction Services

https://stlawco.org/Departments/CommunityServices/MHSProviders 

You can also dial 988 to reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis hotline, which offers 24/7 free and confidential support 

REACHOUT of St. Lawrence County - 315-265-2422 - a free, confidential, non-judgmental crisis and information hotline serving residents of St. Lawrence County that focuses on crisis services and supportive listening. After hours and weekend emergencies.

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Dave and Carrie are back with the second season of Beyond the Box. They kick the season off with a conversation that is not easy to have, but necessary as we attempt to encourage open discussion and challenge the stigma associated with mental health. 

If you or a loved one are struggling or having suicidal thoughts you can visit the St. Lawrence County Government website to find a list of local Mental Health Service Providers including:

Outpatient Treatment
Inpatient Treatment
Vocational Services
Peer Support Services/Psychosocial Clubs
Residential Services
Children’s Respite Services
Addiction Services

https://stlawco.org/Departments/CommunityServices/MHSProviders

REACHOUT of St. Lawrence County - 315-265-2422 - a free, confidential, non-judgmental crisis and information hotline serving residents of St. Lawrence County that focuses on crisis services and supportive listening. After hours and weekend emergencies.

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Do you think Beyond the Box? We are in search of new interviews and stories to tell in 2023. Do you have an inspirational story that you want to share with us? Are you working on something unconventional or advocating for change and want to get your message out there? Then reach out to us!  Visit our website at www.stepbystepinc.org, fill out the contact information, and send me a message because every voice matters… even yours. 

We can't wait to see who we'll meet in 2023. We wish you health and happiness in the New Year!

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Join us as we talk fitness, nutrition, and New Year's Resolutions with Bridgette Havens, group fitness instructor and nutrition coach. Bridgette shares her inspirational story with us - when she was faced with health challenges she chose to make some changes and take control of her health. Bridgette shares how she got moving, stayed motivated, made lasting lifestyle changes, and how her fit community offers her the support and encouragement to help keep her on track. Bridgette not only has shared her inspirational story, but she also decided to become a fitness instructor and nutrition coach in an effort to help others make positive change in their own lives. 

Evolution Group Fitness Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/evolutiongroupfitness
BBJ Bootcamp & Fitness Center Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/BBJFitness2020

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January is quickly approaching, and many of us are thinking about how we are going to improve our financial health in the New Year. This week Carrie and Dave spoke with Richard Tacchino. Richard is a North Country native who has not only spent many years working in the financial industry, but who also knows from experience how challenging it can be to improve your financial health. This podcast will give you the information you need to set your goals for 2023. We discuss how improving you financial health can improve the quality of your life, the importance of building credit and its five most important determinants, how you can recover from financial trouble, how to create an effective budget, the difference between traditional banking institutions and a credit union, what a good credit score range is and how to improve yours, how to prevent identity theft, and the best ways to monitor your credit. 

Set yourself up for success and improve your financial health in 2023!

St. Lawrence Federal Credit Union website:
https://www.stlawrfcu.com

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Western and Eastern medicine both offer unique perspectives fundamental to healthcare today. Dave and Carrie met with Allison Smith, a Physician Assistant, Yoga Instructor, Entrepreneur, and North Country native. Allison first began practicing medicine from a traditional Western perspective, but the longer she practiced, the more she realized that although there were things she liked about it... there were also things that she didn't. Allison took a step back, explored some new ideas, and today has created her own unique blend of West and East in her healthcare model. Allison discusses Behavioral Medicine, Yoga, Functional Medicine, Nutrition, and more. 

Visit our blog to see the pictures of Allison's studio:
https://www.stepbystepinc.org/blog

Visit Massena Yoga Studio:
https://www.massenayogastudio.com

"We live in the shelter of each other. I truly believe that in all aspects of what we do. If you can keep that in mind then it will help keep your priorities straight and keep you on the path to health and wellness. " 
~ Allison Smith

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Dave and Carrie talk with Cindy Small, our educator and Personal Medicine Coach at S.T.E.P. by S.T.E.P., inc.. Cindy organizes classes, outings, and community events for our Drop-In Center. Join us as we discuss where S.T.E.P. by S.T.E.P., Inc. began and how our Drop-In Center has grown over the last twenty-five years. 

Cindy defines Personal Medicine, discusses her open teach model, and talks about how she helps each individual realize and tap into the potential that exists within each of them.

Cindy reminds us not to confine ourselves to any box... because anything is possible when you discover your authentic self. 

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Your health and wellness boils down to the choices that you make every day and the daily habits that you create. Join us for this week's episode as we interview Shannon VanHouse and Michelle Catlin, Lifestyle Coaches with Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center. We discuss the importance of nutrition and touch on topics such as: how nutrition is linked to anxiety and depression and managing and preventing chronic disease, debunking the "eating fresh is more expensive" myth, the pros and cons of different diets, the value in the digestion process of whole foods, what happens to our bodies when we consume processed foods, and where to begin when making changes in your nutrition plan. 

In the podcast we referenced Shannon and Michelle's $25 feeds 5 five series. You can follow the link below to learn some fresh, healthy, and inexpensive ways to feed your family.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NtdATZaLyw

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Dave and Carrie continue to explore a multi-dimensional, person-centered approach to health and wellness in their interview with Katie Davis. Katie is a Reiki Master, Intuitive Healer, and Breathplay Coach, and we discuss strategies to help manage stress, anxiety, and trauma. Some of the topics that we cover are breath connection, creating a favorable environment, living in the present moment, and learning to say no (setting boundaries). Katie reminds us that we have more power inside us than we know and encourages us to trust ourselves. Join us as we reclaim and redefine the word "selfish" and acknowledge the importance of self-care. 

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We all experience pivotal moments in our lives when we know that it is time to make a change. Perhaps you are struggling with a serious health complication, unhappiness in your relationships or career, financial instability, or any number of circumstances that life has thrown at you. It is often fear that initiates our desire for change. What is going to happen to me if I don't take better care of myself? Is this all that I am going to accomplish in my life? 

Fear highlights the distance between where we are now and the goal to be achieved, and the presence of fear when undertaking a big goal tells you that you are stretching yourself beyond your comfort zone.  However, while fear can initially motivate us to take action, it is unlikely that fear alone will inspire us long enough to accomplish our goal. In this episode we discuss the good and bad side of fear, as well as some strategies that will help you stay motivated long enough to accomplish your goal once the fear has worn off. 

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