Police Brutality in America Teach-Out

Self-care is an important part of activism work and will help make sure you have the mental and emotional resources to continue the fight, long-term. 

What can you do to build resilience and care for yourself?

• If you’re a person with lived experience of police brutality and racism, fighting against these systems may be both empowering and also extremely draining. Ask yourself: 
• How will I know when I need to regroup and recharge?
• Who can I rely on to help me recharge?
• How, specifically, can I take care of myself?
• How will I know I’m ready to move back into taking action, and what will be my first step? 

• If you’re a person who has not experienced police brutality or racism, you may feel a range of emotions as you learn about and engage in this work. Ask yourself:
• What can I do or tell myself to become more comfortable with feeling uncomfortable?
• If I start to feel defensive, what might help me keep listening with an open mind?
• If I feel myself wanting to disengage or look away, how can I hold myself accountable? 
• Who might help me process my feelings and re-engage (ideally someone who is also new to this work)

Self-Care Resources

• Burn Out Prevention Workbook - guided exercises and information for dealing with burn-out.
• Identifying Your Role and Practicing Self-Care as a Young Black Activist - starting point for sustaining work with health and wellbeing in mind.
• Liberate Meditation App - meditation app crafted for BIPOC.
• H.E.A.L. Resource list - living resource of mental health and wellness resources for BIPOC and allies.
• 44 Mental Health Resources for Black People Trying to Survive in This Country - Includes mental health resources, tips for navigating therapy, and Black-centered media related to health and wellness.
• Young, Gifted, @ Risk and Resilient: A Video Toolkit to Support the Well-Being of Students of Color - a project by the University of Michigan National Center for Institutional Diversity.