CREATING CHANGE WHILE CARING FOR MENTAL HEALTH

mAKING CHANGE IN A SUSTAINABLE WAY

If you live on planet earth you know that things are tough. Many of us are bombarded with bad news online all day, often to the detriment of our mental health (read more here).

Many of us feel the urge of “I must do something!” Our go to hope is that we can change the government, international relations, or system wide problems. It is disappointing to hear, but you can’t change any of that on your own. Do not despair, this is the time where you should think of the things that you can do and that are in your control. You can’t fix a government shut down, but you can make a difference in your community. With enough people caring and making change in their communities we will see bigger changes.

As a therapist, I want to see people make change in a way that supports their mental health. Many of my clients are parents, for them they are feeling an added pressure of sending their children out into a world that feels terrifying, unsafe, and unkind. If this resonates with you, please know that the work you do to raise your children to be kind and to have good values is a way of making change, it is making a difference and it is contributing to your cause.

Here are some ways of engaging that are offline, purposeful, and will make you feel better because you can see the outcome.

• Contribute financially to a vetted organization that supports your values

• Volunteer your time with a local organization that is working to make change

• Extend a helping hand to a neighbor who is struggling

• Call a friend and check in on them

• Vote. You know your values, make sure you use your chance to advocate for them.

• Get involved locally, in your school district’s PTA, in local government, in organizations you care about, etc

• Live your values, behave in ways that align with who you see yourself as

• Care for your family and friends, make change where you have the most power, at home

• If you are a parent, pass on values of being a good citizen, caring for others, and standing up for what you believe in