In It For the Long Haul

How’s everyone doing? I’ve been going back to my office 1-2xs a week. It’s a good way to support my team, who were very anxious to return to the office so that they could get out of their homes for a change of scenery. We take precautions to social distance, wear masks in the office when we speak with one another and sanitize everything. 

Last month it was mental health awareness month, and more than ever, I need reminders to take a pause and not spiral downward with all of the fast-moving information that comes from social media. It’s a lot easier to see the precautions of COVID (wearing masks and keeping social distance) while it’s harder to take precautions that affect one’s mental well-being. This also includes the wear and tear that one faces when experiencing the other virus, racism. 

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Here are ways that you can avoid burnout so that you can be here for the long haul. It’s also good to have your own self check-ins because if you’re not able to take of yourself, you won’t be your best to take care of others. 

I’m sharing an article that provides resources to where Black women can get mental health access (disclaimer: the article has a number of organizations based in the UK & also lists on-line community resources with a few places specific to the U.S.). I thought I would share it because it does provide ideas of where one can find community and sometimes, it’s helpful to be with others who are going through similar experiences.  

Black people with disabilities are also in need of support. According to a recent study published in the American Journal of Public Health, more than half of Blacks in the U.S. with disabilities get arrested by their late 20s. When a vulnerable community is already in jeopardy, it’s important to ask, “How can current policies be changed so that we have a different outcome?”

These are heavy times with a lot weighing on how to take of yourself, along with how to take care of others. It can be mentally and physically draining, so please think about how you be kind to yourself and support BIPOC communities in sustainable ways. We are in this together, and we need everyone to continue along the way.

Wishing you well,

MXM