Activist Trauma Support

Climate Camp in Edinburgh – 21st to 24th August 2010

Hi, Activist Trauma Support are going to be providing “Wellbeing” at the Climate Camp in Edingburgh from 21st to 24th August. If you are interested in helping then please email (to see the email address as a clickable link, activate javascript in your browser) . Please take some time to read this website so you understand how we work. We will be providing training and supervision at the camp. Whilst previous experience of this kind of work is useful it is not essential, attitude, empathy and self awareness are the most important factors.

Trauma support and Emotional first aid during COP15

During the Climate Summit 2009 in Copenhagen there were spaces set up for trauma support and emotional first aid.

The group working to set up these structures in Copenhagen was new, but we were working together with people from both Activist Trauma Support and Out Of Action to get knowledge and share experiences. Together we tried to provide the resources for activists better to be able to deal with the emotional stress of a summit.

Trauma support spaces were set up in central locations, and the spaces were coordinated with other relevant groups, such as medics, legal teams and info points.

Again, more information on the COP15 First Aid website.

For general info:
Climate Collective
Climate Justice Action
Never Trust A Cop
Klima Forum 09

Calling Out submissions for a trauma reader

Some people from ATS in collaboration with two other projects have started working on a publishing a trauma reader:

SCARSONGS - An Anthology Articulating the Terrain of Trauma and Resilience

We invite your submissions! Deadline is May 1st, 2010.

More info at www.scarsongs.net

Read more (leaflet to download)

Spread the word! Here is the flyer:

• full resolution to print: front - back
• shrunk for sending to lists: front - back

No Borders: thoughts on guilt, shame & trauma

Recent events in "the Jungle" in Calais probably give a fair indication of what the future may well look like for increasing numbers of people - both for migrants themselves, and for the activists trying to support them.

We propose you a leaflet that aims to look at the possible psychological impacts of such activism and also looks at coping strategies and other tips to avoid burnout. Please look at the Downloads page.

Welcome!

This site is primarily for political activists who may be injured during or by their political activities and or struggling with other mental health issues related to activism. Hopefully much of the information is useful to other groups and individuals who either have to face violence or repression where ever it may come from. It seems that as a movement we have not sufficiently acknowledged the psychological effects of the brutality and stress that an increasing number of us are subjected too.

Supporting people who have been traumatized should be a central part of our activism, for without support and solidarity we can be easily picked off. This is not exciting or glamorous, it's hard work. However it can be rewarding, interesting and have very positive results. We may sometimes feel powerless in the face of all their power but we CAN help each other.

About Us

We are a bunch of anti-capitalist activists who have either experienced or been close to people who have been effected by PTSD or other forms of mental health issues. We are NOT experts about these issues (and if you are we would like to hear from you) but care deeply and want to help. Just by raising these issues we are helping to cure them.