Tales of a Mental Health Professional during the New COVID-19 “Normal”
Tales of a Mental Health Professional during the New COVID-19 “Normal”
I keep hearing people wonder when things will get back to normal. Normal is a word that I often struggle to use. After all, what is “normal” and who decides normality? Normal is also problematic when we consider that some groups normally face limitations in access to businesses or goods on a regular basis, not just as a result of COVID-19. My point is, things cannot go back to normal. We need a new normal.
The last couple of weeks have been particularly challenging for me. I have tried to practice being gentle with myself and using this time to be reflective. Still, deadlines are real. Expectations are real. The fear, frustration, uncertainty, and grief felt by many people is very real. And heavy. For me, it just feels like I’m not doing enough. I firmly believe that as mental health professionals, we need to respond to the needs of a community in an ever-evolving context. We shift our approaches, tools, and focal points to reflect salient distress in the lives of individuals.
But, this is unprecedented territory, for all of us.
One thing that really fills my cup is surrounding myself with the light of so many badass advocates that compose my tribe. I have been blessed to meet so many selfless, inspired, creative, and bold people throughout this work. To be honest, it feels like a dream. You all are beautiful souls. When we come together to laugh, or be creative, or hatch some big ideas, magic happens. It seems like right now we are all in crisis mode, trying to figure out how we can work to provide basic needs. This seems particularly important for communities that TPE serves, those who are historically silenced. Mental health work matters. And yet, I find myself wondering how TPE can better serve our communities during a pandemic.
Last week, we would have been celebrating at the PeaceLove Storytellers Conference. A time where all of these amazing advocates come together to be inspired by stories of resilience and truth. While missing this time, a family member of mine who is already quite ill, contracted COVID-19. While she is stable, the future remains scary and uncertain. These things, along with isolation, remind me just how deeply I miss my tribe. I miss the creative sparks that happen in the carefree moments, when we aren’t feeling an urge to move fast and so intentionally. At the same time, I am tired. Emotional energy is often spent on the headlines of the day. Feeling powerless in the face of protesters, contact numbers, and the tireless work of healthcare workers.
Still, we are in this together. Tribe, we can allow ourselves space for inspiration and joy. It may feel like we aren’t doing enough, but right now showing love to one another may be equally as crucial. Perhaps, unity and love need to be our new normal.
