10 Feb 10+ Ways to Care for Yourself and Your Community
10+ Ways to Care for Yourself and Your Community
Tips from LTSC Social Workers and Organizers
Was January the longest month of your life? You’re not alone. It seems like every day the news cycle churns out headlines of new horrors that violate seemingly every value, moral, human and constitutional right we believe in. With such large forces at play, it’s understandable to have feelings of overwhelm or powerlessness as an individual.
Because the fight for justice is a marathon, not a sprint, we’re in this for the long haul. But, we’re in this together. Here are some ways to stay healthy and take positive action, suggested by LTSC’s licensed social workers and community organizers.
You can’t pour from an empty cup
- Spend time outside
- Our free Forest Bathing events are perfect for practicing mindfulness and getting some fresh air!
- Reevaluate your priorities
- Learn to say “no” when you’re at your limit
- Try to get sufficient sleep every night!
- Limit screen time and “stop the scroll” before bed.
- Learn Mental Health First Aid to support yourself and others
- Interest form for training with LTSC
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call or Text 988
“Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” — Arthur Ashe
- Join your local rapid response or mutual aid network
- Even if you can’t join a network, report ICE at CHIRLA’s hotline: 888-624-4752
- Know your rights
- KYR – State of California
- Learn from ACLU SoCal on how to speak to Police, FBI, Customs Agents, or Immigration Officers.
- Stay prepared in the case a loved one is arrested
- Find an attorney
- Talk to a lawyer if you have specific legal questions regarding immigration status – visit the Immigrant Defenders Law Center attorney directory.
- Call your representatives
- Find your Congress member at www.congress.gov/members/find-your-member
- Start attending your neighborhood council meetings
- Learn your local issues inside and out – find your LA neighborhood council here.
Every time you spend money, you’re casting a vote for the kind of world you want:
- Donate
- Choose local when you can
- Take an inventory of your regular purchases and gift-shopping: how many of these can you shift away from large corporations?
- Little Tokyo small businesses are majority immigrant-founded or owned, and have been hit hard by recent events. If you want a say in keeping this neighborhood alive, shop small in Little Tokyo this year!
- As we pass the one-year anniversary of the devastating LA Fires, support small Altadena/Pasadena businesses still feeling the effects of the Eaton fire.
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