Advocacy

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The world is in turmoil right now. The state of our nation is dire, fragile, and crumbling. It can feel impossible to know how to help others, while also trying to keep our own mental health stable.

 

I believe mental health and social change are deeply connected. The challenges we face in today’s world can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to face them alone. This page provides practical advocacy resources to help you care for your mental health, stay informed, and take meaningful action in your community.

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Here, you’ll find tips for emotional self-care, information on knowing your rights, ways to support diversity and equity, volunteer opportunities, and tools to help you make your voice heard. Whether you’re seeking stability, safety, or inspiration to create change, this guide is here to support you.

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Here are some resources for ways to take action and stay involved:

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Tips to help with your mental health, and mental health advocacy:

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1. Let out your emotions: cry, scream, run, paint, write, talk to people

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2. Take time away from your phone and the need to look at news for at least a little bit each day

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3. Look at ways you can help others, volunteer, or just be a good friend

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4. Do something fun! Read, crochet, make art, go outside, exercise, do a puzzle, cook something delicious, whatever is fun for you! Do a crossword! (Skip to the bottom to see the one I created!)

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5. Protect yourself: Get or renew your passport, secure birth control, make plans for continued gender-affirming care

    a. The CDC data sheets on birth control options have been saved here 

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6. Vote with your dollars:

List of companies and where they stand with their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs

List of BIPOC, LGBTQ owned companies

List of 300+ Black-Owned Bookstores in US and Worldwide

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7. Know immigrant, refugee, and advocate rights:

https://www.seattle.gov/iandraffairs/know-your-rights-resource-page?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

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Find ways to stay aware of congressional initiatives:

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​Ways to Stay Aware in Washington State:

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Stay on top of Washington state congress bills and initiatives:

https://leg.wa.gov/

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Follow the latest from the Seattle City Council:

https://council.seattle.gov/

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Stay up to date on legislation in Washington affecting support for domestic violence survivors:

https://wscadv.org/projects/public-policy/action-alerts/

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​Ways to Stay Involved in the USA:

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Learn what bills and initiatives your federal congress members are working on, and contact them:

https://www.congress.gov/members/find-your-member

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Stay up to date with the latest LGBTQ issues with PFLAG

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Attend local city council meetings, school board meetings, and library board meetings:

https://pflag.org/plan-to-testify-at-local-board-meetings/​

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Join the fight against censorship: United Against Book Bans

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Volunteer and Community Action Resources:​

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Find local volunteer opportunities, wherever you are in the US: 

https://www.volunteermatch.org/

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Find local and global volunteer opportunities:

https://www.rescue.org/volunteer​​​​​​​​​​