Paragon Behavioral Health, LLC

11/04/2025

Hope you all got your favorites!

11/01/2025

Below is a list of resources if you or anyone you know are facing food insecurity this month. This list is an edited excerpt from an article by "Those Nerdy Girls."

"Update: A federal judge ruled that emergency funds can be used for SNAP, but it’s not yet clear if this applies to all states or only those involved in the lawsuit. The decision could also be appealed or delayed. Even if funds are released, it will take time for them to reach families. That’s why these resources are still important, and why we should keep helping our community.

Do you know how you are going to feed your family this month?
If you don’t know how you are going to feed your family this month, this post has a list of resources you can look into today.
If you do have enough food for the month, please share with your neighbors and your wider community.
We all do better, when we all do better.--Senator Paul Wellstone"

YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

Here are some resources that may help you find food and other needs:
• https://www.211ct.org/
• https://www.ctfoodshare.org/
• See this article about Instarcart and Doordash offering discounts in November for SNAP recipients: https://apnews.com/article/instacart-doordash-snap-benefits-food-aid-70fced0e93cd14df31cf048aaf7a5b8a
• Too Good To Go: Join Our Food Waste Movement – https://www.toogoodtogo.com/
• Project Food Box: https://projectfoodbox.org/
• Baby formula: https://freeformula.exchange/
• Discounts at grocery stores: https://flashfood.com/
• If you have to choose between food and medicine, check with your provider or pharmacy on how to request medications from the pharmaceutical companies
• Give and get food with this community sharing app: https://olioapp.com/en/
• For people over 65 or disabled: https://www.momsmeals.com/our-food-programs/how-to-qualify/
• One stop site for help: https://findhelp.org/
• If your situation is making you feel hopeless or in despair, help is available. Please call 211, or 988 for the national crisis lifeline.

If you are adequately fed and housed, share these resources and consider helping in other ways:

• Donate money to your local food pantry. Even a few dollars add up. Donate food if that’s easier. But food pantries know how to stretch their donated dollars. Please also check with them about what they actually need.
• Organize a food drive at your work, school, or other community location. But connect to your local pantry to find out what food items they need and can accept.
• Make a meal and drop it off to a family you know is in need.
• Ask your child’s school if you can drop off extra snacks for them to distribute.
• Volunteer to cook for/at a local community meal.
• Call your representatives and tell them you need them to act on healthcare and food access. Food AND healthcare should be part of our basic human rights. Text SIGN PKJTCO to 50409 to send an email to your representatives.
• No Kid Hungry has a tool to write to your representative.

10/28/2025

Passing along this event from the Meriden Pride Community Center for a Thanksgiving-inspired event on Nov 28. Everyone should have a welcoming place to go for the holiday! 🧡

10/10/2025

Just so you know...

10/01/2025

🎉 National Coming Out Day 2025 🏳️‍🌈
📅 Date: Saturday, October 11, 2025
🌈 Be Proud. Be Visible. Be You.

Join Paragon Behavioral Health as we honor National Coming Out Day — a time to stand together, uplift LGBTQIA+ voices, and affirm the right of everyone to live authentically.
Whether you’re out, coming out, questioning, or an ally — this day is for YOU.
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🗣️ Your Story Matters.
Coming out is a personal journey — and there’s no “right” way or time. We celebrate all paths to self-discovery. Please feel free to comment below and share your thoughts and experiences.
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✨ Let’s celebrate authenticity, together.

https://www.awarenessdays.com/awareness-days-calendar/national-coming-out-day/
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💖 Meet our Staff.

Kristin Marchesani, LMFT
As a proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community, I have a special interest in serving the LGBTQIA+ Community, especially in assisting transgender individuals and their families as they navigate the complexities of transition and identity with care and affirmation. If you or a family member is looking for LGBTQIA+ care, please feel free to contact me.
https://paragonbehavioralhealth.com/meet-the-team/kristin-marchesani-lmft

Paragon Behavioral Health in Kensington offers expert psychotherapy, medication management, and psychiatric evaluations for individuals, couples, and families across Connecticut. Book a session.

09/25/2025

September is National Recovery Month! Here is a link for a fun event for all ages at Bushnell Park this Saturday, bringing the community together to support people in recovery

Support Connecticut's BIGGEST Recovery Celebration! CCAR's Recovery Walk. Join us at the performance pavilion at Bushnell Park Sat 9/28 11-3p

09/16/2025

Noooooooo!!!!!

09/12/2025

Enjoy the Fair!!
For those of you heading off to the Berlin Fair this weekend, to be tempted by things like Deep Fried Oreos, Loaded Baked Potato Pierogis, Meatball Bombs (yes, deep fried meatballs stuffed with pepperoni and mozzarella, drenched in marinara sauce—I’m sweating just reading about them!) and Deep Fried Spicy Pickle Fries (noticing the “fried” theme yet?)...

Go ahead—savor it all. Because while we know that *balance* is a key ingredient to health and happiness (and it doesn't even have to be fried!), enjoying things fully is part of balance, too.

So enjoy the music, take a ride on Zeus 🤢, get the rainbow sprinkles on the cone, pet the animals, win a prize, take care of yourselves, and HAVE FUN AT THE FAIR!

(and if you try the cauliflower crust --- if they even HAVE a cauliflower crust -- let me know what you think!)

09/02/2025

Just knowing that you have someone who wants to help --and who is present and available to do that at *your* pace -- can go a long way.
We're here to help, even when you're feeling like no one can. ♥

08/31/2025

This Labor Day, we pause to honor the dedication, resilience, and hard work of so many in our communities. Work provides purpose and structure—but rest, balance, and connection are just as important for our well-being.

As we celebrate today, may it be a reminder that caring for your mental health is not separate from your productivity—it’s part of it. Taking time to recharge is not a luxury; it’s a necessity.

From all of us at Paragon Behavioral Health, we wish you a safe and restorative Labor Day. 💙

08/25/2025

We don’t have to overhaul our whole routine to feel better and be healthier. Small steps --in how we move, what we eat, and how we rest-- can make a big difference. This video is full of simple ideas to get started. 🙂

08/24/2025

We've been helping people recognize -- and build -- their coping skills for nearly 25 years. If you're struggling with anxiety, reach out!