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‘Rest is an act of strength’: Prioritizing Black mental health in a challenging future

Posted on by Pranco
‘Rest is an act of strength’: Prioritizing Black mental health in a challenging future

As Black people, immigrants, pregnant women, and low-income people brace for the potentially worst outcomes of a second Trump administration, many, and perhaps even you, are struggling with a flood of emotions—fear, anger, sadness, and a deep feeling of sadness. .

With the news cycle buzzing with reports about the potential of an administration that continues anti-Black policies, acknowledging these sentiments is not only important; it’s essential, explains Raquel Martin, assistant professor in the Department of Psychological Sciences and Counseling at Tennessee State University. The truth is, it’s normal to feel an abundance of emotions during these turbulent times, and recognizing reality can be the first step to healing.

The dripping snake of daily microaggressions may soon be in full swing, leading to chronic stress and eroding mental well-being. While specific policies, if implemented, are likely to cut black economic opportunity, increase incarcerationAnd lower access to housing – all poised to worsen mental health outcomes.

Amid this uncertainty, however, it is critical to prioritize mental health as a tool for empowerment, says Martin, whose work focuses on Black mental health and Liberation Psychology.

“It’s a normal reaction to constant adversity,” she explains, urging people to respect their feelings rather than ignore them. Mourning the injustices we face and the uncertain future that lies ahead is a sign of deep care and commitment, she said.

This grief is indicative of the investments individuals have made in their communities and in their causes. “Rest is an act of strength,” she emphasizes, reminding us that taking a step back to recharge is not a sign of weakness, but rather a necessary part of resilience.

In this Q&A, we’ll dive into practical strategies for Black Americans to nurture their mental well-being and cultivate a sense of agency, now and over the next four years. From prioritizing self-care routines to building support networks, the conversation highlights actionable steps individuals can take to protect their mental health. Ultimately, the emphasis is not just on surviving, but on thriving. By embracing practices that promote healing and connection, Martin said, we can promote resilience and solidarity within the Black community, charting a path forward that not only counters the impact of harmful policies but also inspires collective action.

Capital B: What would you say to someone who may be experiencing these emotions of hopelessness or fear for the first time?

Raquel Martin: I would say it’s normal. Particularly for Black people, Black women, there’s something we call “resistance fatigue,” and that’s a typical exhaustion that you get from doing long-term advocacy and having to push for injustice for so long. It’s real. You carry the weight of having to go against the machine from day one, knowing that there is systemic injustice, and that makes me quite tired, especially when the solution that you think will help, or the option of which you think is the most beneficial for the world, doesn’t show up. But the need for rest does not make you less part of the resistance. It doesn’t mean you give up. It just means you’re human, and I think of it as an aspect of taking a step back so you can come back as your full self.

Once people have come to an agreement about these feelings, what is the usual next step?

I think the only thing we can do as a collective is rest. Understand that we have the tools to fight this, as history has shown us time and time again. But I don’t think this is something we should do right now. I think it’s important to feel the emotions and acknowledge the sadness. Sadness is an indication of how much you have really put into this situation. It’s an indication of how much you cared. Because if you didn’t care, if you didn’t advocate for something, you wouldn’t grieve at all. Mourning is an act of love. So I would say, ‘Grieve.’ And I also tell my patients – because I work with a lot of advocates and activists – that I would say that the goal shouldn’t be to just kind of get over it or shake it off quickly, because as Black people, consider us incredibly dehumanized.

Like one of the aspects of dehumanization robs us of human qualities like negative emotions, like sadness, like anger, and I ask us not to dehumanize ourselves the way the world does. Dehumanization and maturation are the fuels of white supremacy. And by not acknowledging our emotions, by not acknowledging our feelings, we dehumanize ourselves in the same way that others do. I encourage us not to do that. Resting is an act of strength, and it is imperative that you preserve yourself for the journey ahead because it is essentially a journey.

How can we collectively respond to this grief in a way that combats feelings of isolation and individualism?

I think a lot of people are dealing with collective grief. That is a necessary response to what we can consider in preparation for a potentially traumatic event, and we also know what has happened before: the increase in racist incidents. So we grieve for what we see is about to happen. And I think that’s okay. Acknowledging your grief without judgment is, I think, the first step in honoring your truth and knowing and acknowledging the fact that you are human. I think everyone who isn’t grieving are the people who got what they wanted. You can be angry. Why wouldn’t you be?

I would also say that if you are going through a hard time, seek comfort from those who are open to supporting you. Community is incredibly necessary. Therapy is not the only path to healing. Whatever path you choose in difficult times will be shaped by your communities. Connect with those who understand and support you; find spaces where you feel seen, heard and valued. Think of all the places where you feel like you have to mask your true self or take on your personality. Limit your time in those areas. Instead, think of the environments in which you feel happiest and experience a lasting jolt of joy. Spend time with those people and immerse yourself in those communities. Finally, set boundaries on individuals or spaces that drain your energy.

What if someone came to you and said they didn’t really know how to rest completely? What would you recommend?

Well, I think one problem is that everyone was constantly tuned into the news and felt the need to stay informed every step of the way, as if that was the only way to contribute. One way to rest is to limit media consumption. I always say that if a zombie apocalypse happens, you’ll know about it. If something important happens, you will know about it. Taking a step back means recognizing that you need a break from being constantly plugged in. So limit your media consumption; step back from news and social media. The constant exposure to announcements can be truly overwhelming, especially for Black people who are often inundated with negative portrayals. Taking a conscious break can be incredibly helpful.

Practicing self-compassion is also important. Give yourself permission to pause. Many of us don’t recognize our exhaustion; we carry so much, and taking care of ourselves is necessary. Find comfort in self-compassion, community care, disconnecting, and acknowledging your grief because you can’t deal with what you don’t acknowledge. If you don’t recognize that this is difficult and that you are grieving, you won’t be able to deal with it.

I would add that some people say they are not surprised by the continued violations and racism they face. However, numbness to these issues is a sign that you are struggling with them too. Just because you’ve been dealing with it for a while doesn’t mean it’s okay. You might say you expected this, but bracing yourself for a difficult event doesn’t lessen the impact. You can prepare for it, but that doesn’t mean you won’t feel that punch, and that’s okay.

I will never tell someone to feel bad because they have compassion and hope. Expecting nothing may seem like a way to protect yourself from disappointment, but blocking yourself from all feelings also blocks the good. So don’t feel foolish or naive for having compassion and hope in a world like ours. That doesn’t make you weak; it makes you human. It’s okay to be disappointed by what happened, or to express that you were hoping for better results. There’s nothing wrong with that. Don’t feel stupid for harboring compassion and hope in a flawed system; it is a value we should all cherish.