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Welcome to the Growing Roots Blog page - here we will showcase our involvement within the community, treatment and services that deserve to be highlighted and other exciting activities that we’re working on.

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Celebrating Pride Month in Rural New Hampshire: a How-To Guide

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By Emma Van Ness, PhD, LCMHC

Note: This post uses the term “queer” as a blanket term for all people under the LGBTQ umbrella, the “Q” in LGBTQ.

As a therapist who identifies as and works with LGBTQ+ individuals, I often encounter the dilemma of loneliness that happens with us rural queers; we frequently feel both protected and alienated by our natural surroundings and small communities, relatively safe but also out of step in some way, like we stick out but also add color and vibrancy to what can be a fairly monotone landscape. This can be particularly true in June, when the Pride Flag goes up on the Plymouth Common but otherwise, life continues as is. There is no riotous community taking up space, no local pride events, just rainbow text on the headers of our favorite corporate overlords’ websites. How truly… alienating…

This is a reminder that Pride began as a riot 1 . The Stonewall Inn, locus of the 1969 Stonewall Riots, sparked the Gay Rights Movement, and there is no better time than the present to lean into that collective energy than now. So saddle up, queers! It is time to make Pride Month one you will remember. Here are a few ways to make Pride a celebration of LGBTQ+ identities in concrete ways beyond the pink-washing of corporate logos.

SUPPORT LGBTQ-OWNED BUSINESSES:


The Live Free or Die State has many businesses that are owned by and serve as hubs for LGBTQ life; it is true that many are found in urban centers of the state, such as Manchester, Concord, and Dover but there are several in Plymouth, Littleton, and North Conway. Teatotaller in Concord is a wonderful, and colorful, coffee shop on Main St. Both the Concord location and its sister location in Dover are owned by Emmett Soldati, an active voice in the LGBTQ Community and local politics. Penumbra in Concord offers “make your own” classes and advice for those of us who have houseplants and aspire to have green thumbs. Slim Pickin’s in Littleton is an LGBTQ-owned dive bar with karaoke and theme night. And in Plymouth, Turnage Barber Shop is a gender-affirming space offering wonderful cuts across the spectrum of gender presentations. This is just a sampling of LGBTQ businesses in the state! If you’d like to put your money where your mouth is during Pride Month, download the “Everywhere is Queer” app to see a map of LGBTQ businesses across the state. There are more than you might expect so no need to feel pigeonholed to go to that same coffee shop or corporate big box store you’ve been going to; branch out and try something new!



SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY WITH ADVOCACY


This is also why there is no “Straight Pride,” because heterosexual sex has never been criminalized and persecuted to the extent that gay sex and relationships have. Pride is about visibility and being seen, about taking up space because as the AIDS epidemic proved to us, “Silence = Death.”


At a time when our community is under attack, it is more important than ever to show support for each other. Volunteer with a crisis hotline, donate clothes or organize a swap with your friends, or use the 5 Calls app to engage in political advocacy. There are several local organizations you can reach out to or support that are already in this fight so you don’t have to do it by yourself. Each of these organizations is well-established so give what you can, whether that be donating money, time, or spreading the word, getting involved and getting your friends involved is what Pride is all about.

ACLU New Hampshire https://www.aclu-nh.org/en

603 Equality https://603equality.org/

NH Outright https://nhcje.org/blog/new-hampshire-outright-supporting-lgbtq-youth-

through-community-and-advocacy

GLAD Law NH https://www.gladlaw.org/locations/new-hampshire/

New Hampshire Woman’s Foundation https://nhwomensfoundation.org/

Kent Street Coalition https://kentstreetcoalition.org/

Planned Parenthood Action https://www.plannedparenthoodaction.org/

Indivisible Plymouth NH https://www.mobilize.us/indivisible/event/788052/

Equality Health Center https://equalityhc.org/

Gibson’s Bookstore https://gibsonsbookstore.com/

If we have learned anything since Stonewall, it is that when we stand together, we are more powerful than we are alone. Working together for a shared cause is not only good

for your soul; it is a way of stepping into your power.



ATTEND A PRIDE EVENT

While it may mean a bit of a drive, there are Pride Events happening all over the Granite State. Our friends at Planned Parenthood New Hampshire have put together a

comprehensive list of pride events here: https://www.plannedparenthoodaction.org/planned-parenthood-new-hampshire-action-fund/blog/2025-ppnhaf-pride-guide


There is at least one Pride-related event every weekend so get out there! Pink Pony Club it up, friends! It is wonderful to be surrounded by friends and community and Pride

events are SO fun; do yourself a favor and lean into these opportunities to experience queer joy!

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Maternal Mental Health

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By Deidre Rideout, MS, LCMHC

May is Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month, and it is a great month to discuss ways to support a person struggling with a perinatal mental health condition. The perinatal period refers to before, during, or after pregnancy. The Department of Health and Human Services published a report in 2024 on maternal mental health to address the current Maternal Mental Health Crisis in the U.S. The report shares that the U.S. maternal mortality rate far exceeds the maternal mortality rate of other high-income countries, and that in the 36 U.S. states that participated, 84% of the reported pregnancy-related deaths were determined to be preventable. Over half of these deaths were during the postpartum (PP) period of 1 week PP to 1 year PP.  

Anxiety disorders are one of the most reported and common complications associated with pregnancy, and it has been proven that women with a mental health condition are 50% more likely to experience severe maternal morbidity (SMM). Mental health conditions are the leading cause of pregnancy-related deaths in the U.S. 

These statistics are heartbreaking, and maternal mental health is a topic that should be spoken about far more than it currently is. The saying, “it takes a village to raise a child,” no longer applies to most families in the U.S., and many families report feeling like they don’t have connections or support in their parenthood journeys. 

A wonderful local resource we have in NH is The NH Mom Hub, located at Hope on Haven Hill in Rochester, NH, with their primary mission being to connect NH moms to the support they need. The NH Mom Hub offers calls and texts for emotional support, peer support from moms with lived experience, weekly check-ins if needed, and helps navigate resources. The Mom Hub can be contacted at (603) 841–5353 and more information can be found at https://www.hopeonhavenhill.org/momhub/ 

Here are ways you can support a parent you think may be struggling:

  1. Active listening without offering any unsolicited advice

  2. Validate without making the narrative about you

  3. Be present

  4. Ask how you can help and follow through (within your own boundaries)

  5. Check-in without expectations 

  6. If you are concerned about the safety of a parent or a child, do not hesitate to call a medical professional and/or crisis hotline at 988. 

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Diet Culture: Why Trendy Diets Can Be Harmful to Your Health

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By Halsey Redman

In a world saturated with Instagram influencers, TikTok trends, and a constant barrage of “miracle” weight-loss methods, diet culture has become nearly inescapable. Every week, it seems there’s a new food to avoid, a new detox tea to try, or a new “life-changing” meal plan sweeping social media. But while these trendy diets may promise quick results, they often come with hidden costs to both physical and mental health.

What Is Diet Culture?

Diet culture is a set of beliefs that idolize thinness and equate it with health and moral virtue. It often prioritizes appearance over well-being, encouraging restrictive eating patterns in pursuit of an "ideal" body. This culture feeds into the idea that there’s a one-size-fits-all approach to health, when in reality, nutrition is highly individual.

The Problem With Trendy Diets

Most trendy diets share a few red flags:

  • They promise rapid weight loss.

  • They eliminate entire food groups (carbs, fats, etc.).

  • They rely on unregulated supplements or products.

  • They’re based on anecdotal evidence rather than science.

Not only are these diets unsustainable long-term, but they can also lead to nutrient deficiencies, metabolic damage, disordered eating behaviors, and even increased risk of chronic illness. For example, a restrictive low-carb diet may help you lose weight initially, but over time it can lead to low energy, poor digestion, and hormonal imbalances if not properly managed.

Why Professional Guidance Matters

Every body is different. What works for one person might be harmful to another. This is why it’s essential to consult with a licensed medical professional, such as a doctor or registered dietitian, before making any major changes to your diet. These professionals consider your medical history, current health conditions, activity level, and lifestyle to tailor nutritional advice specifically to you.

They can help you:

  • Identify nutrient deficiencies

  • Set realistic and sustainable goals

  • Manage chronic conditions like diabetes or high cholestero

  • Build a healthy relationship with food

Shifting the Focus: From Dieting to Nourishment

Rather than chasing quick fixes, try shifting your focus to how food makes you feel energized, satisfied, and well. Eating for nourishment and health doesn't mean giving up your favorite foods or obsessively counting calories. It means building a balanced approach to eating that supports your body and mind.

Here are a few healthier ways to think about food:

  • Add, don’t subtract. Instead of focusing on what to cut out, think about what you can add more veggies, more fiber, more water.

  • Practice mindful eating. Slow down, listen to your hunger cues, and enjoy your meals.

  • Ditch the guilt. Food is not a moral issue. There are no “good” or “bad” foods, only balance.

In conclusion

Diet culture thrives on insecurities and false promises. But your health is far too important to gamble on the latest trend. If you're looking to make meaningful changes to your diet or lifestyle, the best place to start is with a qualified professional who has your full picture in mind—not just your waistline.

Let’s ditch the fads, respect our bodies, and focus on nourishment over numbers.


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