REVOLUTIONARY WORLD
COPING AND MENTAL HEALTH
This is for everyone who made it to this point, and those that should have. We fight for you.
We are living in a dying system of capitalist warfare.
Mental illness is everywhere.
Whether you're stressed in your job,
working through poverty and barely surviving.
We all have our coping tools.
But shouldn't life be easier for the amount of exploitation?
When will it be our time?
A removed, comfortable elite assures us,
"We'll get through this together".
But lately the world is not waiting.
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.
Oppressive systems will no longer restrain us.
We can change. The world can change.
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.
Great coping tools are art, community
organizing, protest, public speaking, rest.
Many try and fail via substances or other means—one in 10.
You know that addiction itself is trauma-based.
That should be brought to light as we work to undo.
Stigma intercepts recovery completely (link).
Disability's no problem or reason to feel ashamed.
And show willingness to understand mental illness
beyond negative aspects and well-known symptoms.
Delve deeper (VIDEO) with a documentary
or conversation on life about this.
Your livelihood must be sustainable.
So there are related efforts out there.
The anti-war movement is stronger than previous years,
especially for Palestine and the "Global South"!
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)
It is difficult. There are better realities to anticipate though!
Let's create them.
RESOURCES (U.S./WORLDWIDE)
NAMI released their own coronavirus
guide for 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, 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
Contact: 1-800-273-8255 (Toll-Free)
QUARANTINE SESSIONS COMMUNITY (INTERNATIONAL)strong>
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
Earth Future Action (affiliated site)
Mental Illness and the Ableism of Capitalism
Mental Illness Is More Common Than We Think
Resources If You Can't Afford Therapy