Feeling the holiday spirit, Sis? With Christmas and Hanukkah basically tomorrow and Kwanzaa not far behind, let the festivities begin!
But whether you’re celebrating a holiday or not, let’s be real: tensions are high right now. While the season is joyful for many, the holiday blues are real, and they can take a toll on our mental health.
And when a mental health or behavioral crisis hits, the right response is everything. Having someone trained to de-escalate a situation, rather than criminalize it, can be the difference between life and death—especially for Black folks. With a new Administration that aims to shield police from accountability, we need a game plan.
Will you help us spread the word? Together, we can make this holiday season safer and more supportive for all by prioritizing non-police crisis response and:
Giving the gift of safe crisis response
Donate by December 31st to support life-saving resources that help families navigate crises without police involvement. Our goal is to raise $5,000 by the end of the year—every donation, big or small, makes a difference. When you give, you’re not just donating; you’re investing in the safety of our future.
You can also encourage your workplace to get involved. When companies support 1M4, they show they care about their employees’ safety and the values that they hold close to heart.
Joining us for Home for the Holidays
We need to continue amplifying our Right Response directory, an important tool for families navigating crises without police. To promote this resource, we’ve provided graphics and captions that you can share on your social media.
Let’s make this season about protecting our communities. Together, we can build a future where we are safe, supported, and united—without police violence.
“Anytime you get more than a couple of Black women together, you’re creating this powerful mechanism for change.”
— Kimberly Bryant
Check out this music video featuring 1M4 and The Right Response
Your Expertise is Needed!
We’re completely revamping The Right Response Directory and need your input to ensure it meets our community’s needs.
This critical resource connects you to alternative first-response programs offering compassionate support through peer responders, clinicians, and trained EMTs for calls like welfare checks, noise complaints, traffic incidents, and mental health crises.
Your feedback is vital for us to improve. Please take a few minutes to complete our confidential survey. Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
Articles of the Week
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A Mental Health Tip For You!
During the holiday season, stress can build up in your body, especially if you’re juggling multiple responsibilities. A great way to release that tension is through movement. Try a simple somatic practice: find a quiet space, close your eyes, and gently begin to stretch and move your body—whether it’s shaking out your arms, rolling your shoulders, or letting your body sway to music.
This mindful movement helps release stored stress and brings you back to your body, grounding you in the present moment. Regular movement like this can help regulate your nervous system, reduce anxiety, and improve overall mental clarity.
Spread Some Blessings!
The consequences of police violence extend far beyond the loss of life. For families affected, it’s the loss of income, the sacrifice of basic necessities, and the start of a high-cost legal fight. If you have the capacity, consider donating to 1M4. Proceeds help support impacted families and sustain the work of 1M4 toward ending police violence for good.
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You got this, Sis! As we navigate the complexities of managing stress, grief, and loss, remember that you don’t have to go through it alone. If you or a loved one are in a mental health crisis, please don’t hesitate to call 988 if you need someone to talk to. If your crisis needs someone to come to you, make sure you’re aware of the Mobile Crisis Units in your area—they’re there to help when you need it most. Taking care of yourself is a priority, and there are resources available to help you. Happy Holidays and remember that we’re always here to support you! |
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By December 31: End-of-Year Giving
As the year comes to a close, please consider making a contribution to support our work and help us reach our $5,000 goal. Together, we can fuel the change we need for non-police interventions and resources for the year ahead.
February 8: Confronting the Stigma Mental Health Fair
1M4 is partnering to host a mental health event focused on resources for Black and Brown men at the Hostos Center for the Arts & Culture on February 8th! We’ll have a table onsite sharing information about The Right Response and engaging with local community members about their experiences with alternative response models. Join us there—we’d love to meet you in person!
You Got Your 1M4 Merch Yet?
Visit the 1M4 merch store to make sure you’re representing at court support, protests, or in line at your favorite coffee spot. We want to see YOU in your 1M4 gear. Every purchase goes directly to funding the work of 1M4 increasing access to safety and wellness.
The Mental Health Literacy Collaborative (MHLC) has officially launched its MHL Aware Certification Training.
Mental Health Literacy (MHL) Aware is a 60-minute training (with an optional certification) that benefits professional, personal, and community needs for knowledge, language, and confidence around the topic of mental health. This training is the first step in guiding people to successfully integrate MHL into the fabric of their community. The Aware training focuses on educating individuals about 1) What MHL is, 2) Why it is beneficial, and 3) How they can bring this information to their community. In addition to these core focus areas, the training provides basic, real-world application strategies. The cost is $30 per person for live trainings and $25 for the asynchronous course. Group rates are also available by contacting info@themhlc.org.
