Sky melodyGetty Images
For me, talk therapy has been one of the greatest gifts healthcare has had to offer. When I sit across my from my therapist and spill my heart out about everything that’s going on in my life (the good, the bad, and the ugly), I feel seen, heard, and appreciated. And yet, sometimes this safe bubble feels a little too small like I’m the only one experiencing what’s happening in my brain and my therapist is the only person who understands me.
Of course, this is far from true, especially in the midst of a life-altering pandemic. We are all going through our own mental health struggles, many of which may overlap with another’s experience of life. I’ve found solidarity, validation, and community in listening to other people’s stories, particularly on podcasts. The conversations are healing, but they have also helped to educate me on the nature of mental health and how we can create a better society to hold space for our psyches to foster more compassio
Sarah Gonzales for NPR
toggle caption Sarah Gonzales for NPR You may be grateful that you have your health and still very disappointed about the losses of this year, says Thema Bryant-Davis, a psychologist. And one doesn t cancel out the other. Sarah Gonzales for NPR
When Dana Tamim made the difficult decision to cancel her wedding in August, she was crushed. Honestly, I don t think that I m ever going to get over it, she says.
The 24-year-old lives in Montreal and is Muslim. In her religion, she says, you can t really live with someone unless you re married.
But Tamim and her fiancé had already signed the lease for a new apartment. They ended up having a quick ceremony to make things legal, so they could move in together.