2020 as a whole has been a steady wave of chaotic events that have induced trauma, grief, anxiety, fear and multitude of other feelings that may all be swirling around inside us all at once in varying degrees.
While chaotic events can never truly be stopped we always want to give ourselves a means of escape when things become overwhelming and overbearing especially as Black people.
So here are some ways to help steady your mind and create safe boundaries between yourself and chaos.
Set Boundaries Boundaries are a way for us to create clear markers of what is acceptable when protecting ourselves and our mental needs and capacity.
Identify your triggers & limits whether mental, emotional, physical etc. Knowing these can help to determine when to walk away or express that something around you should stop
Create Realistic Expectations As the saying goes “Rome was not built in a day”. Aim for the lifting of negative feelings and emotional stressors over time rather than immediate resolve.
Connect We are in very unique times as individuals and as a community, so remember that as you are suffering so is someone else and there is no shame in connecting in support of each other and the difficulties you may be experiencing.
Do something you enjoy or try something new In times like these it might be difficult to do everything we want when it comes to going out and socializing, but as time has gone on we have seen people create new and creative ways to continue doing things they enjoy, with the resources circumstances have provided.
In addition to the personal means in which you can help yourself deal with stressors here are some other resources and options.
Resources
https://borislhensonfoundation.org/resource-guide/ : “A Directory of Mental Health Providers and Programs serving the African-American Community”
https://therapyforblackgirls.com/ : “This space was developed to present mental health topics in a way that feels more accessible and relevant.This space was”
https://www.nqttcn.com/ : “National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network (NQTTCN) is a healing justice organization committed to transforming mental health for queer and trans people of color (QTPoC).”
https://www.melaninandmentalhealth.com/ : “Melanin & Mental Health® was born out of a desire to connect individuals with culturally competent clinicians committed to serving the mental health needs of Black & Latinx/Hispanic communities.”
https://www.lgbtqpsychotherapistsofcolor.com/find-an-lgbtq-of-color-psychotherapist : “QTOC is a San Francisco/Bay Area grassroots, volunteer-led group providing support, networking, leadership development, and community building opportunities for LGBTQs of Color in Psychology, Social Work, and Counseling.”
By Bree D.
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