Well, here we are. Our worst fears have come true. Now what?

First, do not even worry about commenting back to anyone who challenges the basic rights of Women- or any civil rights for that matter. We have more important things to do! You do not need to waste a single second of your precious time engaging that person.

Here is what I invite you to do instead:

Take a moment to check in with yourself. How are you holding up? Let yourself feel your full range of human emotions. Grieve. Seethe. Let the shock set in. Cry. Yell. Feel. Feel. Feel. Notice where you are holding any feelings or tension in your body. Breathe. Are you doing alright? Self-soothe as often as you need to! Call a friend. Connect with someone you love. Process together. Do what works for you! But whatever you do…don’t let yourself succumb to hopelessness. We can’t give into despair; we have work to do!

Next, we get logical. We problem solve. We do the things we know work. We get involved in the fight. The following actions are a better use of your time:

We don’t need to start from the ground up. There are so many organizations already in place. Join them! Donate, Volunteer, Organize, Vote.

https://www.plannedparenthoodaction.org/

https://www.prochoiceamerica.org/about/state-chapters/

https://www.emilyslist.org/

Lastly, you may be feeling like you don’t have value. I want to remind you of your worth and right to make your own choices regarding your body and life. I’ll leave you with these statements from our valued and trusted organizations around the world, as a reminder that this is not normal, or okay, and we are not alone in this fight.

The World Health Organization states, “Abortion is health care. Removing barriers to abortion protects women’s lives, health, and human rights”.

The United Nations states, “What has happened in the United States is a monumental setback for the rule of law and for gender equality. With the stroke of a pen and without sound legal reasoning, the US Supreme Court has stripped women and girls in the United States of legal protections necessary to ensure their ability to live with dignity. The decision to continue a pregnancy or terminate it must fundamentally and primarily be a woman’s decision as it will shape her whole future personal life and family life. The right of a woman to make autonomous decisions about her own body and reproductive functions is at the very core of her fundamental right to equality, non-discrimination, health, and privacy,”

The ACLU states, “The ability to decide whether and when to have children is essential to allowing people to control their own lives and futures. For many, having access to affordable abortion care opens the door to fulfilling educational and career goals, better parenting, staying true to gender identities, and other critical parts of life that everyone should have the ability to choose for themselves. No politician should make those decisions for us”.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists states, “Abortion is Essential Health Care”.

If you are feeling overwhelmed by the systems and people in your life telling you that you’re worth-less-than-a-fetus, the mental health professionals at Niyyah Counseling are here for you!

We offer free 15-minute consultations! Reach out today!

On January 22, 1973, the U.S. Supreme Court announced its decision in Roe v. Wade, a challenge to a Texas statute that made it a crime to perform an abortion unless a woman’s life was at stake. The case had been filed by “Jane Roe,” an unmarried woman who wanted to safely and legally end her pregnancy. Siding with Roe, the court struck down the Texas law. In its ruling, the court recognized for the first time that the constitutional right to privacy “is broad enough to encompass a woman’s decision whether or not to terminate her pregnancy” (Roe vs Wade).

It has been forty years since Roe vs Wade was first put in place to protect women's right to choose.. Since the law was passed, it has been challenged and restricted by individuals who should not have the right to do so. The past few years women have had a front seat by watching the news, men making decisions who are incapable of understanding the conception of life and women who are beside the men who are allowing this to happen. It is a very sad but yet scary thing to be living to witness the limitations that are being placed upon women’s rights. You might feel scared, mad, sad, let down, powerless and anxious about women rights being infringed on. You might have thoughts about what you can do or where you start to ensure that women rights are being protected. So many emotions and thoughts are not easy to manage but what can you do?

Changes in the makeup of the Supreme Court have contributed to the threat against Roe vs Wade. Men who cannot begin to understand the woman anatomy down to conception are making decisions based on what they think to be true but do not understand what women are faced with or challenges they have encountered. While we are waiting on the unknown, we can do a few things to cope with fear of Roe vs Wade to be overturned. Below are some tips,

Get involved with a local organization that is interested in Roe vs Wade.-getting involved will help you feel a part of like minded people who are also passionate and have the same common goal.
Support groups-Offer support and can be around people who provide a safe, relatable, environment to speak openly about your feelings.
Practice mindfulness-helps you to become centered, aware and refocus.
Limiting yourself from the news-putting limits in place will allow you time to breathe from the noise.
Continue to eat a well balanced meal-keeps your body and mind energize
Continue your exercise regime-will help to reduce stress and increase your mood.
Talk to a professional to help you cope with your fears- will help you reflect, explore and give you tools to take care of yourself mentally while going through this tough time

Niyyah Counseling has therapists who specialize in various areas and treatment modalities that are willing to help. Please give us a call today for a free consultation https://www.niyyahcounselingpllc.com/.