Non‐profit initiative launches to support front‐line democracy workers

Mind the Movement , a new nonprofit initiative, last week announced its launch to provide those who work on the front lines of a political campaign or in a government job with mental health support. The organization will offer subsidies for mental health care for fired federal workers, out‐of‐work campaign staff and underemployed/uninsured community organizers, starting with a pilot program in three states and the Washington, D.C., metro area. “Working on a campaign is an amazing experience. But it's also exhausting and stressful. Seventy‐four percent of campaign staff in 2024 said they experienced depression and 91 percent said they experienced anxiety. Twelve percent considered or engaged in self‐harm,” said Ashley Williams, founder and executive director of Mind the Movement. “Federal workers, organizers, and campaign staff aren't getting mental health support because they can't afford it. Most therapists don't accept health insurance and with economic uncertainty right now, therapy sessions that start at $100 tend to be financially out of reach.” The first phase of the pilot program will offer subsidies of up to $1,400 to 100 workers in Virginia. The money is intended to cover between 10 and 12 sessions with a mental health provider, and the organization will pay the provider directly. The pilot program will expand to Arizona and Michigan early next year. Federal workers in the D.C. metro area who were let go this year and are still unemployed will be able to apply for an emergency mental health subsidy.