Develop a Therapy Toolbelt: Nurturing Mental Health and Civic Engagement

In challenging times, taking care of your mental health while staying civically engaged is crucial. This comprehensive guide provides strategies to build resilience, find community, and maintain hope.

Connect with a Local Likeminded Community

One of the most powerful ways to maintain mental health while staying engaged is connecting with like-minded individuals. Here are some platforms to help you find your people:

• Red Wine and Blue: Find local in-person and virtual events
• Indivisible: Connect with local activist groups by searching your zip code
• Cat Ladies for America: Unique community engagement opportunities
• Signal Groups: Local people often organized on this platform. Ask around!

Inspiration and Motivation

Powerful Videos

1. Activist and Inspiration Videos
   • We Choose to Fight | Action Call
   • What's the Plan?
   • What's Happening & How You Can Take Action
   • P!NK - Irrelevant
   • Don't Believe Him
   • Tim Wise: Anti-Racist Insights

Supporting Activists When You Can't Protest Directly

Meaningful Ways to Support

1. Logistical Support
   • Sponsor bus transportation
   • Donate food for protest groups
   • Help with group transportation
   • Offer childcare
   • Spread awareness
   • Donate poster supplies
   • Sponsor pre-event gatherings

Educational Resources

Recommended Course

• Noam Chomsky: Independent Thinking and Media's Invisible Powers

Create a Book Club:

1. Theme: Truth-Seeker Themed Books
   • On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder
   • Defectors by Paola Ramos
   • Siren's Call by Chris Hayes
   • The Hidden History of American Oligarchy by Thom Hartmann
   • King: A Life by Jonathan Eig
   • Nonviolent Communication by Marshall Rosenberg, PhD
   • How to Stand Up to a Dictator by Ruth Ben-Ghiat
   • Hitler's People by Richard J. Evans
   • Strongmen by Ruth Ben-Ghiat
   • Surviving Autocracy by Masha Gessen
   • Autocracy by Anne Applebaum
   • Anatomy of Fascism by Robert Paxton
   • Prequel by Rachel Maddow
   • Pipeline to Power by Vicky Ward
   • Patriot by Alexei Navalny
   • Where Do We Go From Here? by Coretta Scott King
   • The Road to Unfreedom by Timothy Snyder
2. Theme: Empowerment and Resilience
   • Solve for Happy by Mo Gawdat
   • Fear is My Homeboy by Judi Hollier
   • Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins
   • The Long Game by Dorie Clark
   • Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
   • The Moment of Lift by Melinda French Gates
   • The Daily Stoic by Ryan Holiday
   • The Entrepreneurial Mindset by Gary Schoeniger

Mental Health Strategies

Developing Your Personal Toolkit

1. Self-Care Practices
   • Practice mindfulness
   • Set healthy boundaries
   • Seek professional support
   • Engage in regular physical activity
   • Maintain a supportive social network
2. Emotional Resilience
   • Practice gratitude
   • Learn stress management techniques
   • Develop a growth mindset
   • Cultivate hope and optimism
3. Support Resources

• Activist Trauma Support
• Liberation School
• Mindful Resistance
• The Icarus Project
• Headspace for Activists
• Insight Timer
• ACT Matrix
• Calm App

4. Mental Health & Resilience

• Establish a Transcendental Meditation practice
• Create boundaries for news consumption
• Set up your personal support system
• Schedule regular digital detox periods
• Build your creative outlet routine
• Develop your self-care toolkit

Final Thoughts

Building a therapy toolbelt is about creating a sustainable approach to personal well-being and civic engagement. Remember, taking care of yourself is not a luxury—it's a necessity. By nurturing your mental health, you become more effective in creating positive change.

Your well-being is the foundation of your activism.

Disclaimer: Resources and links are current as of the time of writing. Always verify the most up-to-date information and seek professional guidance when needed.

Additional Resources:

• Mental Health America
• National Alliance on Mental Illness
• Active Minds