With the ongoing police brutality, mass shootings, climate crisis, anti-Asian hate crimes, and more, there’s certainly enough to protest in this country.
Unfortunately, if you suffer from severe anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues, it can be hard or downright impossible to take to the streets.
But just because you can’t protest in person doesn’t mean there aren’t other meaningful ways you can protest from home. Below are a few ways you can contribute to the cause right from your couch.
1. Find A Community Online
credit: Thought Catalogit’s never been easier to connect with like-minded people online and find organizations that support a cause you care about. Try reaching out to a local organization and asking how you can help. They may need someone to run their social media accounts. They may ask you to design or create graphics.
Organizations need all kinds of people with different skills and talents. You might be surprised at how many things you can do to support fellow activists without ever having to leave your house.
2. Help Educate the Public
credit: SurfaceRight now there is a ton of false information circulating so a big way you can help is by setting the record straight. Do some research and then figure out how to best educate others using your own talents: this can be through art, writing, social media, or any other way you can think of.
If you’re a writer, start a blog or submit articles to places like Medium. If you’re an artist, you can post to Instagram. If you’re a TikTok or Twitter savant, you can share other people’s content using your platform. As long as you’re helping to spread accurate information, you’re doing your part.
3. Contribute Supplies
credit: Joel MunizA lot of organizations don’t just need money, they also need supplies. When natural disasters hit, local organizations often need things like blankets, clothing, water, tampons, and more.
If you’re looking to support protesters in your area, reach out to community organizers and ask if you can supply water, snacks, or anything else that they may need.
4. Make Phone Calls, Send Texts, And Send Emails
credit: Fausto SandovalPhone banks and text banks are a super-easy way to help out organizations without leaving your house. All you have to do is find an organization you’d like to support and offer your services. They’ll usually supply you with a script and a list of people to reach out to.
If you have social anxiety and don’t feel comfortable calling on the phone, texting or emailing is also an option. Many organizations will allow you to text potential donors instead of calling.
5. Vote By Absentee Ballot
credit: Element5There is absolutely nothing more important than voting.
And while going to the polling station can be intimidating for someone with anxiety, there is another option: voting by mail. All you have to do is sign up for an absentee ballot and they will send it to you via mail. Each state has different guidelines surrounding voting by mail so make sure you read up on what to do in your state here.
6. Take Care of Yourself
credit: Andrea PiacquadioYou’re literally of no use to anyone if you don’t take care of yourself. Taking care of your mental health is key so make sure you’re taking the right steps and putting yourself first. This may include talking with a therapist, taking your medication, or simply just getting to be on time. Either way, make sure you get your mind right so you can be at your best.
Ready to get started? Below is the contact information for a few organizations.
ACLU
212-549-2500
125 Broad Street, 18th Floor
New York NY 10004
https://www.aclu.org/contact-us
The Bail Project
323-366-0799
The Bail Project
PO Box 750
Venice, CA 90294
https://bailproject.org/
Black Lives Matter
https://blacklivesmatter.com/contact
Human Rights Campaign
202-628-4160
1640 Rhode Island Ave. N.W.
Washington, DC 20036-3278
https://www.hrc.org/hrc-story/contact-us
Know Your Rights Camp
https://www.knowyourrightscamp.com
National Organization for Women
202-628-8669
1100 H Street NW, Suite 300
Washington, DC 20005
https://now.org/
Planned Parenthood
212-541-7800
123 William Street, 10th Floor
New York, NY 10038
https://www.plannedparenthood.org/about-us/contact-us
RAINN
800-656-4673
https://www.rainn.org/contact-us
Ultra Violet
https://weareultraviolet.org/contact-us/
