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The Resilient Brain Project, by The Viva Center

Resilient Brain Project

A comprehensive library of resources to support you on your mental health journey towards a happier, healthier life

  • Home
  • Topics
    • Trauma & PTSD
    • Depression
    • Anxiety
    • Grief & Loss
    • Relationships
    • Identity & Discrimination
    • Sexuality
    • Productivity
    • Stress
    • Body Image
    • Life Changes
    • Addiction
  • Emergency Resources

Identity & Discrimination

Identity relates to our basic values that dictate the choices we make (e.g., relationships, career). These choices reflect who we are and what we value.
—Psychology Today

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Actions for Now

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For Allies

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You’re Not Alone

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Master the Subject

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Advocate

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Steps to Reduce Symptoms
  • Identity Charts
    Designed for students but applicable to anyone, these charts help us consider the factors that influence who we are
  • 5 Awesome, Immediate Self-Care Resources For When You Feel Like Actual Garbage
    Videos, apps, and podcasts for getting you through periods of self-judgment or loathing
  • Identity Poems
    Read these classic works reflecting on personal identity
  • What To Do If You Feel Like You’re Being Discriminated Against At Work
    Next steps for individuals facing sexism, racism, ageism, and more in their workplace
  • 52 Mental Health Resources for Disabled People, POC, LGBTQ Folks, and More
    Find a provider who is educated in and experienced working with unique facets of your identity and/or experience
Age
  • 6 Ways to Prove You’re a Victim of Age Discrimination
    Ways you can effectively argue against suspected discrimination
  • 7 Ways to Overcome Ageism
    What you can do to fight stereotypes regarding age
  • Help with Aging
    Get advice about how to manage your finances later in life
Race & Ethnicity
  • Coping with Race Related Stress
    A thorough article from Brown University on how college students may face and cope with race-related challenges such as prejudice and imposter syndrome
  • Guidance for Supporting Black Lives
    Civil Rights Corps has compiled resources to help you take active steps in supporting Black lives and wellbeing
  • 4 Self-Care Practices For When Working As a Woman of Color Has Got You Down
    Advice for caring for oneself in a workspace where microagressions and marginalization are present
  • Black Mental Wellness
    A guide for starting conversations about race, racial trauma and prejudice.
  • Rate My Media
    Rate books, films, class courses, and more on their racial equity and inclusion
  • Therapy For Black Men
    A directory of therapists across the US who are specifically trained in the issues faced by black men
  • 5 Ways People of Color Can Foster Mental Health and Practice Restorative Healing
    This article looks at the social impact of white-centrism in the public’s view of mental health. It offers ideas for promoting mental health practices both personally and in one’s community.
  • BEAM
    Find trainings, videos, articles, and more about promoting mental health among black communities
  • Sanamente
    Spanish-language resources and articles about mental health
  • Stronghearts Native Helpline
    A domestic violence helpline for American Indians and Alaskan Natives
  • Sound Bath for Black Lives
    A meditation utilizing sound from Dr. Mariel Buque
Religion
  • Ways to take action from the Anti-Defamation League
    Learn ways you can fight antisemitism and other forms of hate, from legislative advocacy to crime reporting
Chronic Illness & Disability
  • Safer Gatherings Toolkit
    Implement tools to reduce the risk of Covid exposure when planning in-person events
  • ADA.gov
    Virtually report disability rights violations and learn what is covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act
  • Job Accommodation Network (JAN)
    Free, individualized consulting services to identify reasonable workplace accommodations for people with disabilities
Sex
  • 4 Ways We Can All Stop Everyday Sexism In Its Tracks
    Methods that can be used to halt sexist commentary and/or actions
  • How to Fight Subtle Sexism At Work
    Tips for overcoming a sexist environment
  • Sex Worker Support Group
    A free monthly online emotional, social and collegial support group.
Socioeconomic Class
  • Class and Activism Kit
    Bring class awareness to your vision of the world, and learn how to engage in inclusive discussions and promote cross-class movements
  • Social Services
    These government-sponsored programs are designed to help families and individuals struggling with their income
  • Six Policies to Reduce Economic Inequality
    Get behind these evidence-based policy solutions for closing economic disparities
  • Low-Income Student Scholarships
    Scholarships designed to support low-income students applying for college
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For Allies

Age
  • Challenging Ageism: How Can We Change the Conversation?
    Advice for supporting older adults and fighting age-related discrimination and stereotypes
  • The Cruelty of Calling Older Adults ‘Sweetie’ Or ‘Honey’
    A guide on ageist language to avoid
Race & Ethnicity
  • Disrupting Systemic Whiteness in the Mindfulness Movement
    Dr. Angela Rose Black, founder of Mindfulness for the People, discusses the lack of diversity in the mindfulness movement as well as ways to move towards change
  • Guidance to Support the Black Community
    Learn how to be an ally, and why silence = complicity
  • Don’t Be a Bystander: 6 Tips For Responding to Racist Attacks
    Also applicable to sexism, transphobia, and other forms of prejudicial violence
  • The Painful and Liberating Process of Facing My Own Privilege
    A white woman discusses the difficult but rewarding decision to examine her own unconscious privileges and prejudices
  • For Our White Friends Desiring to Be Allies
    Advice on how to support and uplift marginalized communities from a position of racial privilege
  • The 7 Circles of Whiteness
    This tool is designed to bring promote self-reflection and anti-racist allyship
  • Mind-Body Approaches to Racial Justice Solidarity
    Therapist and activist Jacky Casumbal describes how to promote mental and physical wellness while fighting for racial justice
  • Expressive Writing Prompts to Explore White Fragility
    Take a creative approach to reflecting on whiteness, spiritual bypassing, and related themes
Chronic Illness & Disability
  • Accessible Event Checklist
    Ensure your in-person events are disability friendly with this already-made checklist.
  • How to Treat a Person with Disabilities
    Disabled folks share their dos and don’ts for interacting with people with disabilities.
  • Words Matter!
    Disability language etiquette for allies
Sex
  • 10 Tips to Fight Gender Discrimination
    A list of 10 ways that men can support women in the workplace.
  • National Organization for Men Against Sexism
    Learn more about fighting sexism in an intersectional fashion
Socioeconomic Class
  • Effective Psychotherapy With Low-Income Clients
    A study on the importance of attending to social class in the therapeutic relationship
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You’re Not Alone

Age
  • Sixty and Me
    A community of over 100,000 women over 60 discussing travel, work, retirement, fashion, and more. It features blogs like “Want a Happy Marriage After 60?” and “Are You Ready For Retirement?”
  • To Dye or Not To Dye?
    Dr. Julie Lopez, LICSW, PhD, explains why she chose to go gray while taking a larger look at gray hair in US society
  • On Sex, Aging, and Living Erotically
    20-somethings aren’t the only people who have sex lives, despite what the media tells us!
  • On Aging, Confidence, and Sports
    A sports-lover describes how aging has affected his game and his confidence
  • Stories of Aging and Living Alone
    A collection from The Atlantic
  • 5 Exercises to Keep an Aging Body Fit and Strong
    An informative and empathetic article written by the New York Times with accessible exercises.
Race & Ethnicity
  • On Being the Black Friend
    This post from the blog Black Girl in Maine looks at how black people are often used to validate the progressiveness of their white peers
  • The Truth About Racial Trauma
    Therapist Stacey Thompson shares her own story learning about racial trauma, as well as advice for healing
  • Being a White Latina: Reflections on Racial and Ethnic Identities
    One woman tells the story of her “constantly changing” cultural identity.
  • The Therapy for Black Girls podcast
    This podcast features episodes like “Why Am I Grieving Someone I Didn’t Know?” and “Unpacking Toxic Masculinity.”
  • I’m Asian: 6 Forms of Racism I Deal With Every Day
    Learn about the everyday racism faced by many Asian-Americans
  • Letter to My Son
    By Ta-Nehisi Coates, written for his son growing up in a racist society.
  • What Being of Mixed Heritage Has Taught Me About Identity
    Four multiracial people from the UK discuss how they view race and heritage.
  • How I’ve Learned That Being a Bisexual Chinese-American Woman Doesn’t Make Me a Leftover
    A woman shares how she learned to feel pride in her identity
  • Ain’t I Latina? – 7 Afro-Boriquas Discuss Race, Identity, and Culture
    In this video, Afro-descended Puerto Rican women discuss their experiences of race.
  • Therapy Talks Con Las Primas
    Podcast hosted by two primas who are mental health professionals. Conversations from a Latinx perspective about mental health, emotional wellness, and self-care.
  • Wednesday Addams is Just Another Settler
    An article from Electric Literature that discusses Thanksgiving, Standing Rock, and identity from the perspective of a Native woman
  • On Being a Chinese-American Woman
    The writer reflects on her experience being called “the worst kind of Chinese person” (Chinese-American) and how it made her think about her identity.
  • Experience of Being a Black Woman in Academia
    A woman from the UK shares her experience.
  • Therapy for Black Girls
    Listen to podcasts, connect to community and find a therapist of color.
  • Website of Mental Health Resources for Black Community by Megan Thee Stallion
    Helplines, therapists and resources for the black community
  • LatinX Therapists Action Network
    Explore a directory of LatinX therapists and resources, such as informational articles, zines, and trusted hotlines.
  • Latino Men Try Therapy for the First Time
    A YouTube video about unique experiences Latino men have going to therapy for the first time.
  • How Jenny Yang is Making Space for Asian Women in Comedy
    From podcast Stuff Mom Never Told You, featuring comedian Jenny Yang, this episode discusses increasing inclusivity for women and people of color in the comedy field
Religion
  • Finding My Religion
    Alicia Armeli talks about growing up as a Jehovah’s Witness, meeting with a Spiritual Healer in Northern Ireland, and eventually forming her religious identity
  • 10 Things to Love About Being Jewish
    The results of an informal survey on what various people appreciated the most about their Jewish identity
  • How I Became An Atheist
    After growing up in a Christian household, this writer eventually chose to believe in atheism. The piece discusses military service, feelings of guilt, customizing one’s religion, and more.
  • What It’s Like Being Muslim in America
    This 2015 article discusses Islamophobia and the joint identity of being Muslim and American.
  • How Zen Buddhism Has Made Me a Better Christian
    Jaxon Evans discusses the common values held by Buddhists and Mormons, and discusses how the former faith has informed their overall beliefs.
  • Why I Miss Being a Born Again Christian
    This Buzzfeed article looks at one woman’s experience of losing her religious faith—and what she misses about her former way of life
  • 50 Powerful Women Religious Leaders to Celebrate on International Women’s Day
    An overview of influential women in religious positions across the world
  • I’m Tired of Being a Christian
    A Christian writer discusses the sense of exhaustion she feels knowing that harmful things have been done in the name of her religion
  • 10 American Muslim Women You Should Know
    This article highlights the work of 10 women who are “upending [their] community’s and the world’s limited notions of what a Muslim woman is capable of doing.”
  • Jewish Trauma May Be Passed Down through Generations
    The writer reflects on her own experiences and the epigenetic evidence for inherited trauma
Chronic Illness & Disability
  • The Mighty
    Free online community and resource center for a multitude of health conditions
  • Covid Conscious Therapist Directory
    Directory for finding mental health support with COVID-conscious providers
  • The Body
    Articles and resources specific for those living with HIV/AIDS
Socioeconomic Class
  • The Toxic Stress of Poverty and its Effects
    Information about the effects of chronic, income-related stress on our physical wellbeing
  • Being Poor is Too Expensive
    A writer reflects on both research and his own experience struggling with expenses
  • When You Are Ashamed of Being Poor
    A discussion of money-related shame, particularly when it comes to worrying that your children will be ashamed of your socioeconomic status
  • American’s Forgotten Working Class
    JD Vance, author of Hillbilly Elegy, describes the social ills affecting families like his own in the rust belt, from heroin use to domestic violence
  • 5 Lies That Dehumanize Poor People
    Learn to recognize common myths that contribute to discriminatory sentiment
SPOTIFY PLAYLIST FOR IDENTITY & DISCRIMINATION
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Master the Subject

Learn How It Works
  • What is Personal Identity?
    This short video offers a basic explanation of identity
  • Aspects of Identity
    A brief overview of certain types of identity. Notably, these do not include identities related to sexual preference or age, but do include concepts like familial identity and migrant ancestral identity.
  • Prejudice and Discrimination”, Crash Course Psychology
    A video overview of how discrimination operates
  • Discrimination: What It Is and How To Cope
    This webpage defines discrimination and explains its effects on health while offering recommendations for productively responding to it
  • Race, Gender-Based Bullying Does More Harm Than Normal Bullying
    This article explains why “bias”-based bullying is particularly dangerous
  • Why Diverse Teams Are Smarter
    Review the many professional benefits of working with diverse groups of people
  • Proving Discrimination
    How to use circumstantial and/or direct evidence to prove a legal discrimination case
  • Learning For Justice
    Classroom tools for teaching diversity and inclusion
  • Disabled Isn’t a Dirty Word
    This episode of “Stuff Mom Never Told You” looks at portrayals of disability in the media and common microaggressions
Age
  • TED Talks on Aging
    These talks include author Isabel Allende’s “How to Live Passionately—No Matter You,” “How I’m Preparing to Get Alzheimer’s,” and Jane Fonda’s “Life’s Third Act”
  • Aging Issues
    Information from the American Psychological Association (APA) on aging, and how to combat common issues like depression, retirement, and neurological changes
  • Age Discrimination Fact Sheet
    Read up on the Age Discrimination in Employment act
  • 10 Things You Should Know About Age Discrimination
    This article focuses on essential information regarding ageism in the workplace
  • The Prevalence of Elder Financial Abuse in Each State
    Get the facts on elder fraud
  • Why Aging Makes Us Smarter
    The media acts like it’s all cognitively downhill after a certain age—but that’s far from the truth
Race & Ethnicity
  • 10 TED Classroom Resources About Race in America
    Ten TED talks discussing the roles of race in science, politics, the justice system, and more. These resources are targeted towards classrooms, but are informative for students of all ages, in all settings
  • Black? White? Asian? More Young Americans Choose All of the Above
    An article from the New York Times on a growing sense of multiracial pride in younger populations
  • When You’re the Only Woman of Color At Work
    In episode of the Bossed Up podcast, writer and researcher Maura Cheeks describes the psychological stress of living at the intersection of racism and sexism in the professional world
  • Colorlines
    A daily news site focusing on issues of race.
  • Race: NPR
    Audio stories and news updates on race and ethnicity
  • Race, Ethnicity, and Culture as Critical Factors in Accessing Domestic Violence Resources
    Specialized resources for African-American, Hispanic/Latino, Asian, and Indigenous American communities from the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence
  • Racialized Trauma
    Resmaa Menakem created this free, 5-part e-course
  • Code Switch
    A podcast from NPR on race, ethnicity, and identity
  • The Other American Dream: Social Mobility, Race, and Opportunity
    This piece examines the discrepancies between white and black communities in terms of social mobility
  • Mental Health in the Black Community
    This piece highlights the career of pioneer Bebe Moore Campbell, and addresses stigma and barriers to mental healthcare that the black community experiences today
  • The Asian Fetish
    This podcast from Stuff Mom Never Told You looks into society’s tendency to fetishize Asian women
  • When Mindfulness and Racism Intersect
    The Point of View podcast discusses how mindful tools can support us in dismantling systems of racial oppression
  • Black Body Positive Leaders
    Learn more about the black women who’ve innovated the body positive movement worldwide
  • Why Latinx People Need Better Mental Health Support
    This article from Teen Vogue looks at the high rates of mental illness within the Latinx community, and the stigma that prevents many from seeking treatment
Religion
  • Official Denominational Websites
    A directory of the primary webpages for dozens of religions
  • Religions
    Information from the British Broadcasting Company (BBC) on several types of religion, from Christianity to Jainism and beyond.
  • 11 Facts About Religious Discrimination
    Facts about discrimination both within the US and in the world at large.
  • Religion Thoughts Trigger Reward Systems
    A CNN report on some of the neuropsychological benefits of religious belief
  • Jewish Trauma May Be Passed Down through Generations
    The writer reflects on her own experiences and the epigenetic evidence for inherited trauma
  • Dealing with Religious Discrimination in the Workplace
    This article reviews the issue of religious discrimination (as well as discrimination against atheists) and describes how certain employers have chosen to deal with it
Chronic Illness & Disability
  • Spoon Theory
    A metaphor for helping people understand how chronic illness impacts energy and ability to navigate daily life
  • Ableism 101
    Information on ableism, examples of ableism, and ways to be an ally
  • Examining Ability Privilege
    19 ways that people experience ability privilege
  • Examining Walking Privilege
    Ways that people experience walking privilege
  • The Social Model of Disability
    A way to understand disability as a result of societal barriers that can be removed
  • The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) 101
    A breakdown of who the ADA covers and what the ADA requires
  • NAMI Mental Health and Disability
    Information on the relationship between mental health and disability
  • NAMI Double Discrimination
    Information on the intersection between disability discrimination and mental health discrimination
Sex
  • Women’s Media Center
    This nonprofit started by Jane Fonda, Gloria Steinam, and Robin Morgan reports on the latest news regarding women around the world. The organization hosts programs on teen advocacy, sexualized violence, online harassment, and more.
  • Stuff Mom Never Told You
    This podcast from “How Stuff Works” looks at sexism, feminism in pop culture, intersectional advocacy, and more. Episodes include “Role Overload: Working Mothers,” “Silicon Valley Sexism,Parts I and II,” and “The Problem With a Pinterest-Perfect Life.”
  • Female Identity and Gender Expectations
    A lesson plan from Teaching Tolerance about the expectations placed on women and girls
  • TED Talks: Feminism
    Hear from leading speakers like Roxane Gay, Sheryl Sandberg, and Ashley Judd on the issue of gender equality. Everyone, especially Beyonce fans, should check out Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s “We Should All Be Feminists,” in particular.
  • Feminist Studies
    The first scholarly journal in women’s studies, featuring research, art, and more
  • 4 Ways Sexist, Macho Culture Hurts Men
    Read about how sexism harms people of all sexes
  • Equal Rights Amendment (ERA)
    This website provides education on the Equal Rights Amendment and tracks further advances on the state and federal levels
Socioeconomic Class
  • What is Classism?
    This webpage explains what classism is and how it develops
  • Mental Health, Poverty, and Development
    An article examining the connection between poverty and psychological distress
  • 30+ Examples of Middle-to-Upper Class Privilege
    Get educated about the ways in which our societal institutions privilege the upper classes
  • The Toll Poverty Takes on Children’s Mental Health
    A report on the increased risk of antisocial and aggressive behavior due to toxic stress
  • Stanford “State of the Union” on Inequality for 2018
    Statistics about the state of financial inequality in the US
  • The Rich and the Rest
    This article describes some of the negative effects of class inequality, including variances in access to education and decreased access to political power
  • The Other American Dream: Social Mobility, Race, and Opportunity
    This piece examines the discrepancies between white and black communities in terms of social mobility
Advocate icon

Advocate

Connect to the Larger Movement
  • American Civil Liberties Union
    Learn your rights and support those of the people around you.
  • Safe Horizon
    A victim’s assistance organization that provides support and promotes justice for those who’ve experienced hate crimes
Age
  • National Council on Aging
    Dedicated to improving the health and economic security of older adults
  • Meals on Wheels
    Improving access to healthy meals for seniors
Socioeconomic Class
  • Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG)
    This coalition aims to cut child poverty and reduce ethnic and racial disparities
  • Equal Opportunity Schools (EOS)
    This organization works with high schools to increase equitable enrollment in AP and/or IB courses so that all students have a fair chance at receiving and completing advanced coursework
  • Toys For Tots
    Providing holiday toys and necessities for families who can’t otherwise afford them
Racial & Cultural Identity
  • Centre for Race and Culture
    An organization dedicated to “promoting and supporting individual, collective, and systemic change to address racism and encourage intercultural understanding.”
  • League of United Latin American Citizens
    Advancing the economic, political, health, educational, and related positions of Hispanic people across the US.
  • National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)
    The NAACP aims to ensure equal rights and end discrimination for people of all races.
  • National Association of Asian-American Professionals
    A non-profit organization that empowers Asian and Pacific Islander leaders.
  • National Congress of American Indians
    The oldest and largest organization representing the interests of American Indians and Alaskan Natives
  • Minority Rights
    The leading organization working on behalf of religious, ethnic, and linguistic minorities across the world.
  • National Urban League
    Their mission is to enable African-Americans to gain economic self-reliance, sociopolitical parity and power, and civil rights
  • UnidosUS (formerly National Council of La Raza, or NCLR)
    A nonpartisan group supporting Latinos in areas of civic engagement, education, health, and more
  • Black Lives Matter (BLM)
    Dedicated to empowering black communities and intervening in instances of violence
  • BEAM
    A collective of advocates, artists, wellness professionals, teachers, and religious leaders dedicated to promoting mental and emotional wellness in the black community
  • Sanamente
    Spanish-language resources and articles about mental health
Religion
  • Interfaith Alliance
    An organization dedicated to defending individual’s personal, religious rights while pursuing a definition of religious freedom that expands the Constitution’s guarantee for equality. Prominent concerns include discrimination against religious minorities, LGBT equality, hate crimes, vouchers, and bullying.
  • LGBT Religious Organization Resource List
    Organizations designed to serve LGBT parishioners
Chronic Illness & Disability
  • How to Help Employees with Disabilities Thrive
    Concrete actions to challenge disability discrimination in the workplace
  • The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD)
    Organization that advocates for the political and economic power of people with disabilities
  • Long Covid Alliance
    Coalition of advocates for Long COVID research, treatments, and resources
Sex
  • National Organization for Women (NOW)
    NOW is the largest grassroots feminist organization in the United States.
  • National Organization for Men Against Sexism
    Learn more about fighting sexism in an intersectional fashion
  • Everyday Feminism
    An organization focused on intersectional advocacy—advocacy that is inclusive of people of all races, gender identities, sexual identities, religions, and more
  • Women’s Media Center
    This nonprofit started by Jane Fonda, Gloria Steinam, and Robin Morgan reports on the latest news regarding women around the world. The organization hosts programs on teen advocacy, sexualized violence, online harassment, and more.

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