Do you struggle asking for help? Are you discouraged by conflicts among animal activists? Are members of your community overshadowed by dominant personalities? Do you have trouble delegating activist work or balancing activism with your family life?

These are among many causes of activist burnout, which hinder our ability to help animals effectively. Professor Paul C. Gorski of IDA’s Council of Sustainable Activism reports that forty to fifty percent of activists must temporarily stop their activist work due to symptoms of extreme burnout. Gorski’s findings on activist burnout and sustainability indicated that adopting a self-care regimen improved activists’ lives.

At IDA, we believe that every single activist is needed to bring about animal liberation. That’s why we’re proud to offer this innovative new service for animal activists, which includes supportive telephone and e-counseling, contacts for local and national activist resources, and referrals for psychotherapists who are sensitive to activists’ concerns.

Our trained Helpline Counselors are available to listen to your concerns and help you strategize solutions. Even if you only have a few minutes, we can help! We’re here for you, whether you need a momentary pick-me up or someone to listen in-depth. The Helpline is available to activists in the United States and Canada via our toll free number, 1 (800) 705-0425, or by email at helpline@idausa.org.

There are lots of reasons to call the Animal Activist Helpline!

Call when you feel…

• Overwhelmed by never-ending animal rights work
• Frustrated by others’ responses to your animal concerns
• Angry because your efforts didn’t create the changes you anticipated
• Alone in your quest to help animals
• Upset by a family or work conflict due to your vegan values
• Depressed because change is happening too slowly

Call when you seek…

• Vegan resources
• Guidance regarding a personal conflict with another activist
• Involvement in the animal rights/vegan community
• Balance in your life
• Self-care tools
• Strategies to help animals
• Connection with someone who cares

IDA’s Animal Activist Helpline is your “one-stop shop” for all things activist! Our Activist Resource List contains Meetup groups, workshops, teleseminars, videos, and books on effective activism: http://www.idausa.org/campaigns/council-sustainable-activism/resources/

This Helpline is part of our Sustainable Activism Campaign providing emotional and spiritual support for animal activists via workshops, teleseminars, retreats, and blogs to ensure that activists can continue helping animals for the long haul. To learn more, visit www.idausa.org/SustainableActivism.