When Social Justice Work Begins to Drive You Crazy
Rarely do activists talk about the moment they feel like they are going crazy while fighting for social justice in their community. Whether we talk about it or not, going crazy, feeling overwhelmed or cracking up is a crossroad many activists face in silence.
Learning the details of a horrific shooting, watching video clips of victims of police brutality, sitting on panels with those who do not wish you well, volunteering with those in critical need of housing, fighting the financial constraints of a non-profit organization then being responsible for managing a household can build up to a moment of feeling crazy. If you feel like you are loosing it, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255
Going crazy can take many forms, terminology and labels.
Burning out
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Checking out
On the Ledge
In the SisterCARE Alliance, we have formed a loose network of sisters who reach out to each other and conduct Self Care Check Ins regularly while working on social justice issues. Here are a few tips for those activists working to PREVENT breaking down, burning out and living on the edge while fighting for justice. When you breakdown, all of the knowledge, strategies, contacts and leverage you contributed to the movement is lost.
Tips to Avoid Activist Burn Out
1. Never let embarrassment or shame stop you from asking for help. Asking for help is a form of self-care. Embarrassment and shame are tools of emotional slavery. Emotional slavery aims to keep you too afraid to take care of yourself. #askforhelp
2. Address your financial and physical stressors daily that aggravate your ability to be an effective activist. Focus on addressing your critical needs in those self care categories immediately to strengthen your ability to help your community.
3. Create a Self Care Plan and a Self Care Support Group for your fellow activists/comrades. Non-activist friend may not always be able to relate. Be courageous about what you critically need, not just in a march or a protest. This network of supportive 'self-care activists' and Self Care Buddies (Self Care Program ref. from text Self Care Matters A Revolutionary's Approach) are critical to any movement. They are responsible for asking you, "How
4. Don't carry it with you. After witnessing each trauma, acknowledge how it made you feel with people you can express your feelings to. Sometimes activists become numb to seeing trauma as a coping mechanism when in actuality it is a suppression mechanism. Suppression of your emotions is a self-guided form of oppression. Stop suppressing what affects you. Let it out around those who can give you the space to do so.
5. Eat a good meal and drink water on a regular basis. Being deficient in water (dehydration) and nutrients (good fresh food) can make your tolerance for addressing coalition differences, racism, sexism or any 'ism much more difficult.
6. Know what you have the tolerance for. If you do not want to deal with the politics of other community organizations or involve yourself with people who you find disrespectful... do not participate in those activities.
7. Join an organization that actually mirrors your beliefs. All too often as unique individuals we try to force our perspective, ways of completing goals, approaches to activism on groups who do not agree with your method. Find the organizations that mirror your specific beliefs AND methods. For example, if repeat fundraisers and no direct action in the community annoys you, do not join organizations that primarily conduct social based fundraisers.
8. Schedule regular venting/counseling sessions with a professional that understands your cultural background and politics. Your fellow activist/comrade/organizer may not be the best counselor. Venting on a regular basis in office meetings, coalition building session and on social media is not therapy. Please do not force your comrade to counsel you on a regular basis.
9. When you feel low... say no. If you have not recovered from a protest, action, meeting with an insensitive rude person ... take the time to recover and say "no" to the next project.
10. Get some love in your life on a more regular basis. Family love, cultural arts love, love of a child, grandma love, SisterCARE love, spousal love, live music love.. get some love. Facing the horrors and insensitivities of mankind on a regular basis gives you a lopsided experience in life. Love is so powerful. I can help you recover enough to fight again another day. Get some love in your life on a regular basis.
Please be sure to contact a professional for physical, financial, emotional and spiritual support while fighting for justice. We need our social justice activists to be mentally and emotionally healthy.
SELF CARE ASSIGNMENT: Ask yourself which of these listed items above most aggravate you then create a Self Care Baby Step to move closer to taking better care of yourself. We need you healthy.
ORGANIZATION CARE ASSIGNMENT: Read each item above in your next staff meeting, read out loud the items above and encourage your staff to complete the above Self Care Assignment.
Learn how to create your own Self Care Support Group or schedule a Self Care Revolution Speaker by contacting the sistercarealliance@gmail.com.
