Leading in times of political uncertainty: A call to action
Political trauma:
noun
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Emotional and psychological responses triggered by the aftermath of elections.
Elections—before, during and after—are stressful for nearly everyone. And our current political climate, with its relentless fundraising, aggressive campaigning, and bitter divisions, has turned every year into an election year. This year, however, has proven to be a real nail biter for leaders and advocates in progressive communities everywhere.
Three diverse experts in psychology, social activism, and therapy–Jenay Hicks, MS, LPC, NCC, Kanika Bell, PhD, and Ayanna Abrams, PhD–authored this guide to foster resilience and channel outrage into purposeful action during these uncertain and chaotic political times. We’ve collectively witnessed the deep impact of political trauma, grief, and misogyny on women's mental health—especially women of color—including feelings of depletion, isolation, and uncertainty. So we decided to do something about it.
We see and support you
This guide is for YOU—the courageous truth fighters committed to the ongoing battle for justice and joy and who wholeheartedly believe in the power of democracy. We honor your voices, stories, and dedication to creating a more equitable world. Your drive to make a difference and inspire others can take a heavy emotional and psychological toll. To effectively lead, you need support. We created this actionable guide to help all progressive leaders move through this election cycle and beyond with hope and purpose.
This guide offers:
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Strategies for self-care, compassion and finding joy in advocacy
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A space to acknowledge and process election-related experiences and emotions
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Resources for dealing with trauma, grief, and misogyny
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Tools for building a resilient, supportive community