COPING AND MENTAL HEALTH
This is for everyone who made it to this point, and those that should have.
I miss you and honor you.
Whether you're stressed in your job, working through poverty
and trying to survive, mental illness is everywhere.
We all have our coping tools, but should life not be easier, more rewarding for us?
A removed, comfortable elite assures us, "We'll get through this tough time together".
Plutocratic rulers advertise separation so we feel more lonely than ever.
But our connectivity grows daily.
What's wrong?
Depression is a daily companion for 15 million Americans.
Anxiety affects 40 million. I have both.
450 million people have a mental illness, and feel inadequately prepared today.
Vitamin and mineral deficiencies precede depression (link).
Stress causes chronic illnesses around the world.
COVID-19 raises ours collectively.
Depression can affect your reputation professionally
and more, as Nkini Phasha explains from South Africa (VIDEO).
Salahuddin Ayubi (a young man in Pakistan
with schizophrenia, who deserved more),
Nigeria's many arrests for mental illness,
and the U.S.' 16 times higher chance of death by police (x)
all paint a portrait which can't be ignored.
Governments still don't treat mental illness with respect.
That sentiment is echoed by us.
Shame is no solution. And we can't wait till things
become their worst, then throw out blame.
Ignorant leadership might lead us to
hurt each other and ourselves.
Many deal with the frustration via substances or other means—one in 10.
You know, addiction itself is trauma-based.
That should be brought to light. Stigma intercepts recovery completely (link).
Disability's no problem or reason to feel ashamed.
And show willingness to understand mental illness for more than
the negative aspects and most well-known manifestations.
Delve deeper (VIDEO) with a documentary
or conversation on life about this.
Oppressive systems will no longer hold us down.
We can change.
Great coping tools are art, community organizing,
protest, public speaking, rest.
Your livelihood must be sustainable. So there are sustainable efforts out there.
Mutual aid is expanding globally to respond.
Check a global map in progress.
Networks like COVID-19 Mutual Aid UK,
Red Apoyo Mutuo in Caguas, Puerto Rico provide
access, education and connections for a lifetime.
They provide mental health services since the
island's deeply affected by recent events like
coronavirus, Rosello and his indifference
to Hurricanes Irma and Maria, the corruption.
Hope defines us, not the tragedy we unite to endure.
"We want everything we do to build towards a new world,
a new, more just, more equal society.
We want to empower people to build popular power
and gain more skills in terms of
education, preparation, and resistance
so they can be in a better state for creating and proposing new ideas." (Truthout)
No Justice No Pride always remind us our future is brighter.
They're a beautiful, resilient, powerful collective who call for true justice.
NJNP advocates sex work decriminalization,
access to health services for all,
fair and affordable housing for LGBTQIA
residents, active anti-transphobia.
Now they've gotten funding to support
medical and legal advocacy, at least
46 people's mental health in the D.C.
area, even three houses (2019 Report)!
This is how progress comes. Emmelia Talarico,
No Justice No Pride founder, nailed it.
"A lot of the girls are really talented out there, and not
everyone wants to be an organizer or an activist.
There’s a lot of talent out there that always gets overlooked...
I literally just wake up wanting to do this shit and caring about it the right way, you know?
I don’t do this for money, fame, any of that.
I care about doing the right thing." (them.)
And the Mental Health Coalition of Sierra Leone is the first of its kind.
48 members, and 27 organizations, protect lives through government
advocacy, nuanced training and mentored research.
Their well-prepared staff have aided in everything from
ebola outbreaks to mental health workshops.
It is difficult. There are better realities to anticipate though!
Let's create them.
RESOURCES (U.S./WORLDWIDE)
NAMI released their own guide about coronavirus
to help Americans through this.
StrongHearts Native Helpline supports Indigenous people in the
U.S. who are in abusive or unhealthy relationships. 1−844-762-8483
Sunshine Behavioral Health reached out to me
with this fabulous resource:
Mental Health Issues Facing the Black Community.
US: 877-565-8860/Canada: 877-330-6366
LOCAL (D.C./MD/VA)
Alexandria City Public School mental health staff (listed above) will be
there for students from Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM-3:30 PM.
If you need other aid in the city, click here.
Carpenter's Clinic gives free medical exams to the
uninsured, currently unhoused Alexandria community.
INTERNATIONAL
Affected by COVID-19? (AUSTRALIA)
1800 55 1800
13 11 14, and text +61477131114.
If someone is in danger, please call 000. Australian Local Services
Australian LGBTQIA suicide prevention and mental wellness project;
their client consultation guide is here and resource hub here
NATIONAL SUICIDE HOTLINE PREVENTION (U.S.)
They give you crisis counselling, referrals to local health services and more;
24/7 so please contact: 1-800-273-8255 (Toll-Free)
QUARANTINE SESSIONS COMMUNITY (INTERNATIONAL)
Free database to search psychiatrists, psychologists, therapists, and health services near you
Free crisis therapy for disaster survivors, etc., and over 22,000 low-cost/free resources
AFFORDABLE THERAPY IN YOUR STATE (U.S.)
Life-saving spreadsheet with statewide clinic lists, access to affordable visits and a sliding cost calculator
Especially relevant during ongoing protests, Lebanese emotional and mental program
Embrace ensures a specialized team can be there
to assess needs in tough times
LifeLine
THE HELP-SEEKING PROJECT (AUSTRALIA)
Collaborative website between multiple Aboriginal Australian communities
and the Department of Health and Ageing to improve national health; has a detailed service map
Institute for Development, Research, Advocacy and Applied
Care's services include screenings, counsel and mental health disaster relief
Where to Go If You're Struggling with Mental Health in Lebanon
PTSD COACH (U.S./WORLDWIDE)
A web service/app to check a particular health topic
An amazing network of LGBTQIA2S non-white people, for LGBTQIA2S
non-white people to find decolonial healing and mental health liberation
SOUTH AFRICAN DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY GROUP
SADAG has graciously taken time with mental health advice, treatment, community events and techniques to navigate illness
Dr. Colinda Linde, Clinical Psychologist, on Panic and Anxiety
Relaxation Techniques That Can be Employed During Panic Disorders VIDEO
Revolutionary app specifically for Black people who seek information about this topic, Black therapists and affirmation in their experience
Black Mental Health Alliance's Psychiatrist Directory
How to Cope with Depression YOUTUBE
Mental Illness and the Ableism of Capitalism
Mental Illness Is More Common Than We Think
Resources If You Can't Afford Therapy
Rural and Remote Mental Health (Australia)
.png){kind=logo}
