Our schools today are filled with children who are being bullied, ostracized and completely beaten down emotionally by their peers. Bullying has always been part of growing up, but these days it seems to be epidemic. In addition, more and more children today are being diagnosed with depression and a myriad of mental/emotional disorders, labeled and prescribed medications to soothe their inner suffering and seeming brokenness and the statistics of drug & alcohol abuse, cutting, eating disorders and suicide are rising from town to town.

Growing up for me was not much different, although I found my own toolset to deal with my pain and suffering. Had I been diagnosed back in Elementary School, it is likely I would have been prescribed medication and labeled one of the many labels we see today. I was a different learner and became a social outcast.  I was also smart, funny, artistic, creative and highly sensitive and empathic and a clear easy mark for the bullies.

My middle son Benjamin was my perfect mirror, although he WAS diagnosed with every label in the book by the time he was 10 years old. After years of carrying these labels, being prescribed a multitude of medicines and in his teens, marijuana to help him cope, being ostracized by his community throughout his life, my son Ben, just six days following his eighteenth birthday, chose to end his life in a fleeting moment of despair.

Following this tragic loss, I began a non-profit organization in Ben's name called Ben Speaks Louder Than Words. Ben Speaks mission is to EMPOWER our youth to BE THE CHANGE to STOMP OUT the growing trends of depression, bullying and teen suicide and provide tools to reduce the stressors that lead up to this final act. So what does it mean to be EMPOWERED? What is the impact of these damaging labels on our energy and self worth? How do we change this culture of bullies and power over? After fifteen years as a certified Yoga Teacher, Energy & Intuitive Healer and Hypnotherapist, I have learned many effective tools for slaying the inner bully and supporting others to access their power from within.   I look forward to the opportunity to share them with you so that you can pass them on to your kids.  

Learn more about Judy's message of empowerment at the Dream Factory Community Luncheon.