Sent every Tuesday

Hey y’all. If you’re like me, the last week has. Been. LONG. Most times, I’ve been feeling so much gratitude for my health, my job, my family, and parents’ freezer filled with (only the world’s BEST) ice cream. At other times, I’ve also been feeling overwhelmed and anxious and isolated.

 

But here’s the silver lining: these ugly and scary times have brought out the best in so many people. I have been so inspired by young people’s generosity, creativity, and care, and how many DoSomething members have told us they want to make an impact even while social distancing.

 

That’s why we’ve updated all our campaigns so you can take action on mental health, climate change, affordable education, and more...all from your home. Don’t let COVID-19 stop you from changing the world.

 

Let’s Do This,
Ben, Editor-in-chief and Ice Cream Snob

DoSomething Members Are Sending Digital Mental (Health) Notes To Be There for Friends, Even From Afar

During COVID-19 your friends and family might be feeling more stressed, anxious, or isolated than ever. On top of that, research shows that men are less likely than women to have conversations about their mental health. How can men ask for help if they don’t know they need it?

 

So DoSomething members are stepping up. Thousands have sent digital Mental (Health) Notes to help friends and family set aside time to do a quick mental health check-in, do some personalized self-care, and be connected to clutch mental health resources for especially tough times.

DoSomething Member Bennie, 19

“I was looking for ways to distract myself and ironically found this campaign,” Bennie says. “I wanted to do this specific one because I know there are other men like me who may be feeling the same way, so reminding them to check on themselves was a task I felt that needed to be done.”

DoSomething Member Lilly, 18

“I knew that doing this campaign could help my friends and family right now,” who sent a note to her friend after the earthquake that shook Utah. “The best way to get through difficult times is by helping each other.”

DoSomething Member Eliza, 18

“After sending out the mental health note to all of the freshmen students I mentor, I decided to send it to the other student mentors as well,” Eliza says. “A few teachers also got a hold of the note through this message, so they were able to post it and send it out too! Positivity and love spread faster than you think!”

 

Join the 84,591 DoSomething members who have signed up for the Mental Note campaign. Let’s Do This!

Social distancing (as in, staying six feet away from others) is crucial to #flattenthecurve, slow down the coronavirus, and ease the burden on our healthcare system. So DoSomething members Jack, Erin, Stephenie, Maria, and Mohona joined thousands of other members doing their part for the greater good. Learn how you can stay at a safe distance, together.

If you’re a student who’s been displaced or disrupted by COVID-19… here’s a guide on financial aid, housing, college planning, and more.

 

Here are even more ways… you can volunteer online.

 

We love Elite Daily… and not just because Elite Daily loves our COVID response.

 

In the words of Jackie… tech wizard Diego L’s dog Daisy “continues to be a sweet perfect baby angel.”

 

And if you don’t know our other writer, Jackie… here are 11 things you should know about her, including the fact that she had a DoSomething pencil pouch in middle school!

 

If you’re wondering what an all-staff DoSomething Zoom looks like… look no further for your answer!

At least 72% of students say personal finance stresses them out, and COVID-19 is putting an added financial burden on many young people. Want to learn about financial literacy and how to facilitate from your computer, attend an *exclusive* coaching webinar with experts from HSBC, and flex crucial professional skills like communication, leadership, empathy, and teamwork? Fill out this form by 11:59 p.m. EST on March 27, 2020 to host a *virtual* financial literacy workshop!

We asked you to brag about the amazing stuff you’re doing, and you did not disappoint. Here are some of our favorite answers from the DoSomething community. (Psst...submit yours here!)

 

"Last year, [my mental health organization, Sophrosyne Mental Health] held a rally at the Parkman Bandstand in which despite the stormy weather, many people showed up to take action to support mental health. There was a short documentary filmed by Brave New Films about the event. Our rally served as a launch to a bigger campaign to enact legislation (particularly S.244) that requires schools to make mental health classes mandatory in the school health curriculum for students in all Massachusetts public schools."

 

- DoSomething member Emily, 18, Massachusetts

 

(Emily also did Mental Note and is hosting self-care calls through her mental health organization)

 

"I published an article on Medium.com - Carbon Neutral about the interconnectedness of climate change and human health."

 

- DoSomething member Dakota, 18, Arizona

 

"I recently ran a teens for jeans drive and it was amazing how much the community stepped up! I got tons of jeans, at least 200 pairs!"

 

- DoSomething member Abbey 17, Wisconsin