RESOURCES
Navigating the world and U.S. politics can feel overwhelming, and finding your place in the conversation isn’t always easy. This directory has been compiled with resources to help you handle political stress and discover meaningful ways you can engage in your community and make your voice heard. We encourage you to use this directory as a starting point to stay informed, protect your well-being, and take steps toward building a future you want to see.
If you have an additional resource or organization you suggest we highlight, please reach out to CST Education Programs Manager Kevin Williams at kdw@centralsquaretheater.org.
In addition to the resources below, Cambridge Youth Council has compiled a mental health awareness campaign for youth, by youth. Check out the CYC Youth Headspace Campaign for mental health resources, organizations, facts, quotes, and de-stressing techniques. Click on the Resource Map image to explore the directory.
Take Care of Yourself: Managing Political Stress & Mental Health
Politics can impact your mental health, here are some resources to help you cope with the current political environment.
Protecting Your Health in a Polarized World: Expert Advice on Political Stress
Dr. Afton Kapuscinski, a psychiatrist and professor at Syracuse University, offers advice on protecting your health from political stress. This guide covers setting media boundaries, navigating tough conversations with family, and recognizing the difference between healthy and unhealthy political concern.
5 ways to manage politically induced stress
Dr. Michelle Riba, a psychiatrist and professor at the University of Michigan, shares steps on how to reduce political fatigue. Learn how to set boundaries with media consumption, stay mindful during conversations, and know when it’s time to step away.
10 Ways to Protect Youth Mental Health During Political Unrest
Political unrest can feel uniquely intense for growing adolescent minds. This article highlights strategies for teens to process political anxieties, focusing on using creative outlets like writing, art, and performance as healthy channels for self-expression and learning their place in an intense world.
Take Action Locally: Volunteering & Community Service
Volunteering and community service is a good way to engage in your local community and feel connected to others. Taking action locally can help you feel less helpless with the political climate and bring some action into your own hands.
Volunteer Networks: Connect with non-profit organizations and find local volunteer opportunities and flexible community service projects in the Cambridge and Boston area.
Finding a meaningful cause: There are a variety of different service organizations out there that target different problems and have different missions. Community engagement and taking action is easier when the cause is dear to your heart, so here are some different suggestions.
Community Servings: Get involved to help prepare medically tailored meals to individuals living with severe illnesses.
Food For Free: Help pack and distribute fresh, healthy produce boxes to local food pantries and community meal programs.
Charles River Conservancy: Join outdoor park cleanups, invasive plant removal, and environmental management efforts along the Charles River.
Cradles to Crayons: Sort, inspect, and pack items like clothing and school supplies for local children facing poverty.
FriendshipWorks: Connect with local older adults for friendly visits, medical escorts, and household assistance to alleviate elder isolation.
Guides for Community Connection: Learn about some ways to build strong local relationships and engage with those around you aside from volunteering.
Take Action Politically: Voter Resources & Democratic Action
Voter & Election Resources
Vote.org / Rock the Vote: Check your voter registration status, register to vote, request an absentee ballot, and find local polling locations.
Ballotpedia: A nonpartisan digital encyclopedia to research local candidates, ballot measures, and upcoming election dates.
Youth Advocacy & Civic Campaigns
DoSomething.org: Join youth-led digital and local campaigns taking action on climate change, health equity, and social justice.
Understanding Youth Civic Engagement: Read about how young people are counteracting democratic backsliding by using non-traditional tools like digital advocacy, protests, and community-driven solutions.
How Youth Become Politically Engaged: See how everyday settings like schools and youth programs help teens develop their civic identities, learning to trust, collaborate, and become changemakers.
Media Literacy
News Literacy Project: Build critical thinking skills to identify news bias, spot misinformation, and consume political content responsibly.