Tough Times Toolkit

Life got you down? Grab your Tough Times Toolkit! It's your emotional first aid kit, packed with resources to soothe, empower, and help you rise above those challenges.

Inside, you'll find:

Books: Mind-blowing reads to shift your perspective.
Podcasts: Inspiring stories and expert advice.
Websites: Supportive communities and quick doses of inspiration.
Groups: Connect with others who get it.
Journal Prompts: Dive deep and explore your inner world.
And more! Constantly updated with new tools and inspiration.

Grab your Toolkit and turn those challenges into triumphs! ✨

Tough Times Toolkit

First Aid for Feelings	Resource Type	Resource Name	Description	Contact Info/Link
Specific Issues	The World Wildlife Fund (WWF)	Works to conserve nature and reduce threats to the diversity of life on Earth	worldwildlife.org	Focuses on conservation, climate change, and sustainable development
Specific Issues	The Ocean Conservancy	Works to protect the ocean from today's greatest global challenges	oceanconservancy.org	Focuses on ocean conservation, pollution prevention, and sustainable fisheries
Specific Issues	The Endangered Species Coalition	Advocates for the protection of endangered species and their habitats	endangered.org	Works to protect wildlife and prevent extinction
Local Resources	Animal Shelters & Rescues	Provide shelter, care, and adoption services for homeless animals	Search for local shelters and rescues online	Offer a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, and small animals
Local Resources	Animal Control	Enforces animal control laws and provides services like stray animal pickup and licensing	Contact your local government	May offer resources on responsible pet ownership and animal welfare
Local Resources	Veterinarians	Provide medical care for animals	Search for local veterinarians online	Offer a range of services, including vaccinations, preventative care, and emergency treatment
Local Resources	Animal Trainers & Behaviorists	Help address animal behavior issues and promote positive training methods	Search for certified trainers and behaviorists online	Can help with issues like aggression, anxiety, and house training
Pet Loss & Grief	The Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement (APLB)	Provides support and resources for people grieving the loss of a pet	aplb.org	Offers support groups, articles, and a helpline
General Support & Advocacy	PFLAG	Support and advocacy for LGBTQ+ people and their families, including non-binary individuals	pflag.org	Provides support groups, resources, and education
General Support & Advocacy	The National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE)	Advocates for transgender equality, including non-binary people	transequality.org	Provides resources, news, and a legal information center
General Support & Advocacy	The Human Rights Campaign (HRC)	Advocates for LGBTQ+ equality, including non-binary people	hrc.org	Offers resources, news, and a community action center
Mental Health	The Jed Foundation	Resources and support for emotional health and suicide prevention in teens and young adults, including non-binary youth	jedfoundation.org	Offers programs, resources, and a mental health resource center
Mental Health	The National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network (NQTTCN)	Directory of queer and trans therapists of color, including those who specialize in working with non-binary individuals	nqttcn.com	Provides access to culturally competent mental health care
Specific Issues	The National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR)	Legal advocacy and resources for LGBTQ+ people and their families, including non-binary individuals	nclrights.org	Focuses on legal issues affecting the LGBTQ+ community
Specific Issues	Lambda Legal	Defends the civil rights of LGBTQ+ people and people living with HIV, including non-binary individuals	lambdalegal.org	Provides legal representation and advocacy
Specific Issues	The Transgender Law Center (TLC)	Advocates for transgender rights and equality, including non-binary people	transgenderlawcenter.org	Provides legal services, policy advocacy, and community organizing
Specific Issues	The Sylvia Rivera Law Project (SRLP)	Provides legal services and advocacy for low-income transgender people and people of color, including non-binary individuals	srlp.org	Focuses on the intersection of trans rights and social justice
Resources & Articles	"Nonbinary: Memoirs of Gender and Identity" edited by Micah Rajunov and Scott Duane	Collection of essays by non-binary people about their experiences	Bookstores, online retailers	Offers diverse perspectives on non-binary identity
Resources & Articles	"Beyond the Gender Binary" by Alok Vaid-Menon	Explores the limitations of the gender binary and celebrates gender diversity	Bookstores, online retailers	Challenges traditional notions of gender and promotes self-expression
Resources & Articles	"They/Them/Their: A Guide to Nonbinary Pronouns" by Tristan Jimerson	Provides information and guidance on using non-binary pronouns	Bookstores, online retailers	Promotes respect and inclusivity for non-binary people
Resources & Articles	"The Gender Book" by Mel Reiff Hill	Explores the spectrum of gender identity and expression	Bookstores, online retailers	Offers a comprehensive guide to understanding gender
Resource Type	Resource Name	Description	Link/Source	Notes
Organizations & Advocacy Groups	The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)	Works to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and 1 to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination 2	naacp.org	Focuses on civil rights and racial justice
Organizations & Advocacy Groups	The Anti-Defamation League (ADL)	Fights antisemitism and all forms of bigotry, defends democratic ideals, and protects civil rights for all	adl.org	Provides education, advocacy, and resources on diversity and inclusion
Organizations & Advocacy Groups	The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC)	Monitors hate groups and extremist organizations and fights for social justice	splcenter.org	Provides legal representation and advocacy for victims of hate crimes and discrimination
Organizations & Advocacy Groups	The Human Rights Campaign (HRC)	Works to achieve equality for LGBTQ+ people through advocacy, education, and litigation	hrc.org	Focuses on LGBTQ+ rights and equality
Organizations & Advocacy Groups	The National Organization for Women (NOW)	Advocates for women's rights and equality	now.org	Focuses on a wide range of issues, including reproductive rights, economic justice, and violence against women
Organizations & Advocacy Groups	The National Disability Rights Network (NDRN)	Advocates for the rights of people with disabilities	ndrn.org	Provides legal representation and advocacy for people with disabilities
Organizations & Advocacy Groups	The National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) Educational Fund	Promotes the full participation of Latinos in the American political process	naleo.org	Focuses on civic engagement and leadership development for Latinos
Organizations & Advocacy Groups	The Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAJC)	Advocates for civil and human rights for Asian Americans and to combat anti-Asian violence	advancingjustice-aajc.org	Provides legal services, education, and advocacy for Asian Americans
Organizations & Advocacy Groups	The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI)	Advocates for the rights and interests of Native Americans and Alaska Natives	ncai.org	Represents tribal governments and promotes tribal sovereignty
Educational Resources	Diversity Best Practices	Provides research, best practices, and training on diversity and inclusion	diversitybestpractices.com	Offers resources for organizations and individuals
Educational Resources	The Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity	Conducts research and provides education on race, ethnicity, and inclusion	kirwaninstitute.osu.edu	Offers reports, publications, and training programs
Educational Resources	The Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism	Conducts research and provides education on hate crimes and extremism	cshe.csusb.edu	Offers data, analysis, and resources on hate and bias
Educational Resources	Teaching Tolerance	Provides free resources to educators to promote tolerance and respect in the classroom	tolerance.org	Offers lesson plans, articles, and multimedia resources
Educational Resources	The Museum of Tolerance	Museum dedicated to promoting tolerance and understanding	museumoftolerance.com	Offers exhibits, programs, and educational resources on diversity and human rights
Books & Articles	"Blindspot: Hidden Biases of Good People" by Mahzarin R. Banaji and Anthony G. Greenwald	Explores unconscious bias and its impact on our behavior	Bookstores, online retailers	Provides insights into how our biases can affect our interactions with others
Books & Articles	"Between the World and Me" by Ta-Nehisi Coates	Powerful letter to his son about the realities of being Black in America	Bookstores, online retailers	Offers a personal and moving perspective on race and identity
Books & Articles	"So You Want to Talk About Race" by Ijeoma Oluo	Guide to navigating conversations about race and racism	Bookstores, online retailers	Provides practical tools and insights for engaging in meaningful dialogue
Books & Articles	"How to Be an Antiracist" by Ibram X. Kendi	Argues that the opposite of racist isn't "not racist" but "antiracist"	Bookstores, online retailers	Challenges readers to actively combat racism and promote equality
Books & Articles	"The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander	Examines the mass incarceration of Black Americans and its impact on society	Bookstores, online retailers	Provides a critical analysis of the criminal justice system and its role in perpetuating racial inequality
Films & Documentaries	"13th" (Netflix)	Documentary about the history of racial inequality and mass incarceration in the United States	Netflix	Powerful and informative film about the legacy of slavery and its impact on the present
Films & Documentaries	"I Am Not Your Negro" (Amazon Prime)	Documentary based on James Baldwin's unfinished manuscript about race in America	Amazon Prime	Offers a profound and insightful perspective on race and identity
Films & Documentaries	"The Hate U Give" (Hulu)	Film adaptation of the young adult novel about a Black teenager who witnesses the fatal shooting of her friend by police	Hulu	Explores themes of race, police brutality, and activism
Films & Documentaries	"Moonlight" (Netflix)	Coming-of-age story about a young Black man growing up in Miami	Netflix	Offers a nuanced and moving portrayal of identity, sexuality, and race
Films & Documentaries	"When They See Us" (Netflix)	Miniseries about the Central Park Five, five young men wrongly convicted of a crime	Netflix	Highlights the injustices of the criminal justice system and the impact of racial bias
Resource Type	Resource Name	Description	Link/Source	Notes
Mental Health	The Jed Foundation	Resources and support for emotional health and suicide prevention in teens and young adults	jedfoundation.org	Offers programs, resources, and a mental health resource center
Mental Health	The Trevor Project	Crisis support and suicide prevention for LGBTQ+ youth	thetrevorproject.org	24/7 hotline, online chat, and resources
Mental Health	Child Mind Institute	Information and resources on child and adolescent mental health	childmind.org	Provides articles, guides, and a symptom checker
Mental Health	MentalHealth.gov - Children and Adolescent Mental Health	Government resources on child and adolescent mental health	mentalhealth.gov	Offers information, treatment locators, and support
Mental Health	The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)	Support, education, and advocacy for people with mental illness and their families, including youth	nami.org	Offers support groups, programs, and resources
Books & Articles	"Iron John" by Robert Bly	Explores the myths and archetypes of masculinity	Bookstores, online retailers	Offers insights into the male psyche and journey of self-discovery
Books & Articles	"King, Warrior, Magician, Lover" by Robert Moore and Douglas Gillette	Explores the four archetypes of mature masculinity	Bookstores, online retailers	Provides a framework for understanding and integrating different aspects of masculinity
Books & Articles	"The Male Brain" by Louann Brizendine	Explores the unique characteristics and functioning of the male brain	Bookstores, online retailers	Offers insights into men's behavior and communication styles
Resource Type	Resource Name	Description	Link/Source	Notes
Mental Health	National Women's Health Network	Information and resources on women's health, including mental health	nwhn.org	Provides articles, advocacy, and a helpline
Mental Health	The Women's Therapy Centre	Therapy and support groups for women	thewomenstherapycentre.com	Offers specialized services for women's mental health concerns
Mental Health	The Loveland Foundation	Provides therapy and support for Black women and girls	thelovelandfoundation.org	Focuses on healing and empowerment for Black women
Mental Health	The Jed Foundation	Resources and support for emotional health and suicide prevention in teens and young adults	jedfoundation.org	Includes information and resources specifically for young women
Support Groups	Girls Inc.	Inspiring all girls to be strong, smart, and bold	girlsinc.org	Offers programs and support for girls' empowerment and development
Support Groups	The National Organization for Women (NOW)	Advocates for women's rights and equality	now.org	Focuses on a wide range of issues, including reproductive rights, economic justice, and violence against women
Support Groups	Planned Parenthood	Provides reproductive health care and education	plannedparenthood.org	Offers a range of services, including contraception, STI testing, and abortion care
Specific Issues	The National Domestic Violence Hotline	Support for victims and survivors of domestic violence	thehotline.org	Offers a 24/7 hotline, online chat, and resources
Specific Issues	The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN)	Support for survivors of sexual assault	rainn.org	Provides a 24/7 hotline, online chat, and resources
Specific Issues	The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA)	Support and resources for people with eating disorders	nationaleatingdisorders.org	Offers information, a helpline, and treatment referrals
Specific Issues	The Endometriosis Foundation of America	Information and support for women with endometriosis	endometriosisfoundation.org	Provides research updates, patient resources, and support programs
Books & Articles	"The Feminine Mystique" by Betty Friedan	Seminal work on women's liberation and the challenges of traditional gender roles	Bookstores, online retailers	Sparked the second wave of feminism
Books & Articles	"Women Who Run with the Wolves" by Clarissa Pinkola Estés	Explores the archetypes of the Wild Woman and the power of feminine energy	Bookstores, online retailers	Offers a Jungian perspective on women's psychology
Books & Articles	"Untamed" by Glennon Doyle	Encourages women to embrace their true selves and break free from societal expectations	Bookstores, online retailers	Inspiring memoir about self-discovery and empowerment
Books & Articles	"The Body Is Not an Apology" by Sonya Renee Taylor	Promotes body positivity and self-love	Bookstores, online retailers	Challenges societal beauty standards and celebrates diversity
Resource Type	Resource Name	Description	Link/Source	Notes
General Support & Advocacy	The Trevor Project	Crisis support and suicide prevention for LGBTQ+ youth	thetrevorproject.org	24/7 hotline, online chat, and resources
General Support & Advocacy	GLAAD	Promotes LGBTQ+ acceptance through media advocacy and education	glaad.org	Provides resources, news, and a media reference guide
General Support & Advocacy	Human Rights Campaign (HRC)	Advocates for LGBTQ+ equality through lobbying, education, and litigation	hrc.org	Offers resources, news, and a community action center
General Support & Advocacy	PFLAG	Support and advocacy for LGBTQ+ people and their families	pflag.org	Provides support groups, resources, and education
General Support & Advocacy	The National LGBTQ Task Force	Advocates for LGBTQ+ rights and equality	thetaskforce.org	Focuses on policy advocacy and community organizing
Mental Health	The Jed Foundation	Resources and support for emotional health and suicide prevention in teens and young adults, including LGBTQ+ youth	jedfoundation.org	Offers programs, resources, and a mental health resource center
Mental Health	The National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network (NQTTCN)	Directory of queer and trans therapists of color	nqttcn.com	Provides access to culturally competent mental health care
Mental Health	The Association of LGBTQ+ Psychiatrists	Professional organization for LGBTQ+ psychiatrists	aglp.org	Offers resources, training, and a provider directory
Mental Health	The Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN)	Works to create safe and inclusive schools for LGBTQ+ students	glsen.org	Provides resources, training, and advocacy for LGBTQ+ youth
Specific Issues	The National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR)	Legal advocacy and resources for LGBTQ+ people and their families	nclrights.org	Focuses on legal issues affecting the LGBTQ+ community
Specific Issues	Lambda Legal	Defends the civil rights of LGBTQ+ people and people living with HIV	lambdalegal.org	Provides legal representation and advocacy
Specific Issues	The Transgender Law Center (TLC)	Advocates for transgender rights and equality	transgenderlawcenter.org	Provides legal services, policy advocacy, and community organizing
Specific Issues	The Sylvia Rivera Law Project (SRLP)	Provides legal services and advocacy for low-income transgender people and people of color	srlp.org	Focuses on the intersection of trans rights and social justice
Specific Issues	The National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE)	Advocates for transgender equality through policy advocacy, education, and community organizing	transequality.org	Provides resources, news, and a legal information center
Youth Resources	The It Gets Better Project	Uplifting videos and stories for LGBTQ+ youth	itgetsbetter.org	Offers hope and encouragement to LGBTQ+ young people
Youth Resources	GLSEN's Safe Space Kit	Resources for creating safe and inclusive spaces for LGBTQ+ youth	glsen.org	Provides posters, stickers, and information for educators and students
Youth Resources	The Trevor Project's Guide to Being an Ally to Transgender and Nonbinary Youth	Tips for supporting transgender and nonbinary youth	thetrevorproject.org	Offers guidance on pronouns, terminology, and creating safe spaces
Books & Articles	"Stonewall" by Martin Duberman	History of the Stonewall Riots and the LGBTQ+ rights movement	Bookstores, online retailers	Provides context and understanding of LGBTQ+ history
Books & Articles	"Sister Outsider" by Audre Lorde	Collection of essays and speeches on feminism, racism, and homophobia	Bookstores, online retailers	Offers powerful insights on intersectionality and social justice
Books & Articles	"Gender Trouble" by Judith Butler	Seminal work on gender theory and performativity	Bookstores, online retailers	Challenges traditional notions of gender and identity
Books & Articles	"Redefining Realness" by Janet Mock	Memoir about growing up transgender and finding your voice	Bookstores, online retailers	Offers a personal and powerful perspective on transgender identity
Resource Type	Resource Name	Description	Link/Source	Notes
General Support & Advocacy	The Trevor Project	Crisis support and suicide prevention for LGBTQ+ youth, including non-binary youth	thetrevorproject.org	24/7 hotline, online chat, and resources
Self-Help Resources	Trauma-Informed Yoga	Gentle yoga practices that can help regulate the nervous system and promote healing	Trauma Center Trauma-Sensitive Yoga	Offers a safe and supportive environment for trauma survivors
Self-Help Resources	Mindfulness Practices	Cultivating present moment awareness and self-compassion	Mindfulness apps, YouTube channels	Can help reduce anxiety and increase emotional regulation
Creative Expression	Art Therapy	Using art to express emotions and process trauma	Art therapy organizations, therapists	Provides a non-verbal outlet for healing
Creative Expression	Writing Therapy	Writing about traumatic experiences to promote healing and self-discovery	Writing therapy organizations, therapists	Can be done through journaling, poetry, or storytelling
Creative Expression	Music Therapy	Using music to process emotions, reduce stress, and promote relaxation	Music therapy organizations, therapists	Can involve listening to music, playing instruments, or singing