Mental Health in Troubling Times.
We are not meant to carry this much, this fast, this constantly. And yet, here we are.
Between a relentless news cycle, collective grief, systemic failures, political unrest, and a global pandemic that shifted the very ground beneath us, it’s no wonder that our nervous systems feel frayed. We are living in an era where the phrase “unprecedented times” has lost its impact, not because the world has calmed down, but because crisis has become the norm.
Mental health is health.
This may seem obvious, but it bears repeating—especially when the world around us demands productivity in the face of chaos. Our ability to cope, connect, regulate, and recover is just as vital as our physical well-being. Mental health isn’t a luxury, a personal failing, or a buzzword—it’s foundational to how we function and flourish.
And yet, many of us are struggling. Whether it's anxiety, burnout, grief, anger, numbness, or some unnameable cocktail of all of the above, it's hard to know what’s a reasonable reaction and what might need attention. Spoiler: most of what you’re feeling is a reasonable reaction to unreasonable times.
The Weight of the World Is Heavy—And It’s Personal
From the early trauma of COVID-19 and the collective isolation it imposed, to the ongoing erosion of rights, community safety, and social trust—we’ve been through (and are still going through) a lot. Some days it feels like we’re stuck in a loop of uncertainty, outrage fatigue, and quiet despair.
Even when we’re not directly impacted by every headline or policy, the accumulation of distress can take a toll. Doomscrolling can make us feel informed and helpless. Political instability, environmental disasters, economic strain—none of these exist in a vacuum. And for many, these broader issues intersect with personal losses, chronic stress, and a deeply felt sense that things shouldn’t be this way.
The truth is: you are not weak for feeling overwhelmed. You are not broken for needing help. You are responding to an ongoing reality that is objectively hard.
So How Do We Keep Going?
Here are a few ways to ground yourself, regulate your nervous system, and move forward—imperfectly but intentionally:
1. Limit Information Overload
Being informed is important—but you don’t need to consume every update in real time. Set boundaries around your media intake. Choose trusted sources, designate “scroll-free” hours, and give yourself permission to look away without guilt. Constant exposure doesn’t equal control—it often just creates chaos.
📱 Try the Ground News app to get balanced news across the political spectrum, or use NewsGuard to help you vet misinformation.
2. Come Back to Your Body
Our bodies often know we’re anxious before our brains do. Daily movement, intentional breathwork, stretching, or even placing your hand on your chest and exhaling slowly can send signals of safety to your nervous system.
🌀 Grounding Exercise: Try the 5-4-3-2-1 technique (PDF) or practice Box Breathing—inhale for 4, hold for 4, exhale for 4, hold for 4.
3. Connect With Others (Even When You Don’t Feel Like It)
Isolation feeds despair. Whether it’s a text thread, a support group, a regular check-in, or simply sharing quiet space with someone—connection is a balm. You don’t need to “be okay” to reach out. You just need to be real.
🤝 Not sure where to start? Try:
4. Create Micro-Routines of Care
Consistency creates safety. Try anchoring your day with small, doable rituals—a warm drink, a daily walk, journaling for five minutes, lighting a candle before bed. These rituals remind your brain that there is structure, beauty, and something you can control.
🪴 Apps like Daylio or Reflectly can help you build small habits and track your mood over time.
5. Let Joy Coexist With Pain
Joy is not betrayal. Rest is not laziness. Pleasure is not denial. Let yourself laugh, dance, savor a good meal, play with your dog, or watch something ridiculous on TV. Joy helps us metabolize grief. It reminds us why we care, why we fight, and what is still worth preserving.
🎧 Consider a playlist, a joyful movement break, or this reminder: “Joy Is An Act of Resistance” – Interview with Tricia Hersey
If You’re in Crisis, You’re Not Alone
🆘 Emergency Mental Health Resources
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — Call or text 988
Crisis Text Line — Text HOME to 741741
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) HelpLine — 1-800-950-NAMI (Mon–Fri, 10am–10pm ET)
Trans Lifeline — 877-565-8860 (Peer support by and for trans people)
The Trevor Project (LGBTQ+ youth) — Call 1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678678
Final Thoughts
These are hard times—and you are allowed to feel that deeply. But you are also allowed to find hope, to seek support, and to believe that your mental health matters even when the world feels upside down. The road forward isn’t linear or easy, but you don’t have to walk it alone.
Take a breath.
Take a break.
Take care.
