In 2020, I was a therapist during one of the most traumatic global events of
our lifetime. I was tasked with helping people heal during the worst thing
anyone can experience for their mental health: isolation.
The mental health crisis was at an all-time high—suicide rates rose,
addiction skyrocketed, and therapy was booming out of necessity. I spent
my days helping others manage their fear, grief, and uncertainty while
quietly managing my own. I was just as afraid as my clients to step outside,
touch a door handle, and wonder if we were safe and would survive.
As a millennial therapist, I had grown up in a time of relative progress. I
witnessed gay marriage become legal at just 20 years old. I had the
privilege of believing that being a queer woman could feel “normal,”
especially growing up in the diversity of Los Angeles. I thought the world,
while imperfect, was only moving forward.
Fast-forward to today and the fear in the air feels hauntingly familiar. Every
millennial and Gen Z person I meet is carrying a quiet panic, a sense of
betrayal. Many of us are facing, for the first time in our lives, the realization
that rights we thought were permanent can be ripped away. It feels like
2020 all over again: fear, anger, and sadness all crashing together in a way
that feels new, heavy, and devastating.
When trauma hits, we therapists often tell people to focus on what’s in your
control. And that’s true. But in times like this, we need more than that. We
need direction. We need a reminder that we are not powerless.
So here’s what’s in our control and fuels the fight within ourselves:
Join organizations like the Human Rights Campaign and the
ACLU. They offer real, actionable ways to fight back in real-time,
such as signing up for their Mobile Action Network.
Watch Social Justice Movies. Watching how others who came
before us initiated change can bring feelings of hope and
empowerment. Some ideas to watch this week: Detroit (Apple TV),
Milk (Prime/Apple TV), On the Basis of Sex (Netflix), The Infiltrators
(Prime/Apple TV), Crip Camp (Netflix),
Strengthen your body and mind. Build stress-reducing routines,
nourish yourself, move your body, take time to play, and engage in
phone-free activities because a relaxed and recharged nervous
system means a stronger you.
Use your voice. Practice setting boundaries. Stand up, even in small
ways, like asking to have your coffee remade. Practicing using our
voices is one way we feel safer in the world. Getting used to standing
up for yourself in your daily life will make it easier to resist moments
of injustice that ask for complicity.
Stay in the community. The LGBTQ+ community has always been
our greatest source of power. Unlike a society built on individualism,
our strength is in our connections. Being around one another is
another reminder that no matter what the news says, we are thriving!
Bring in Queer Joy. Make time for fun, laughter, and celebration.
These are not frivolous. They are acts of rebellion. They are how we
survive and thrive. Fun and laughter are natural antidepressants to
help us recharge, connect, and decompress.
Giving back from an empty cup doesn’t work. We can’t let this time period
steal our joy. Taking care of your mental health, your physical health and
your spirit is not selfish its necessary. You deserve to thrive, to live in joy,
and to create a future full of hope.
Brittaney Latta, LMFT #114087
Queer, Trauma Therapist
@Brittaneydoestherapy
[email protected]
San Diego Pride raises funds primarily through festival ticket and beverage sales, and through sponsorships, and exhibitor fees. These funds support San Diego Pride’s community philanthropy which has distributed more than $2.5 million in advancement of its mission to foster pride, equality, and respect for all lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities locally, nationally, and globally.
