Protect Your Health
General Health and Safety
- Hydrate well before the activism activity, and be sure to bring water to stay hydrated during and after the event.
- Bring a snack like granola bars or fruit.
- Be aware of your surroundings.
- Let a friend know where you are going and check-in with them with a health and safety status.
- If you feel uncomfortable or unsafe, leave the area.
- Pre plan several exit routes.
Know your Issue and Set Goals
- Create tangible, manageable goals with timelines ahead of time.
- Communicate your goals with the public, so a clear action plan can be made.
- Educate yourself on updated research and data regarding your issue.
- Research what laws and policies are relate to your topic?
- Research history, resources and allies on campus.
- Are there any federal or state departments involved in your issue? What is their stance and what work are they doing?
- Understand how the media covered the issue? Who’s voice is most often heard?
Emotional Health
- Activism can be a tough task. Make sure that you are considering your mental health in stressful times.
- Find hobbies outside of activism to give yourself a break.
- Celebrate small successes. Rome wasn’t built in a day. Allow yourself to appreciate the progress you have made.
- Tough days happen. Let yourself move on from painful moments and continue to work toward your goals.
- Check out some of the UM Mental Health resources that Curry provides.
- Connect with students and student groups and campus resouces that align with your goal.