Written by Dr. Dionne Mahaffey

My heart is heavy. My mind is racing and I am unable to help but take into consideration what this latest era under Donald Trump means for me and for ladies who appear like me and who wanted Vice President Kamala Harris to win, not simply because of her policies and competence or its historical significance. We wanted her to win because having her as a black woman in charge could be a robust statement for a rustic that so often seems reluctant to recognize our strength, talent and humanity.

Madame Harris’s candidacy was deeply personal. Black women identified together with her story, her rise, her spirit. Like me, she grew up in a single mother’s home. She’s my sorority sister. I felt hopeful in the concept that for the first time a Black woman was on the verge of real power, not only next to it. She represented every part we are sometimes told we can’t be: good, uncompromisingly ambitious, compassionate, and yet fiercely independent. Her presence defied the “angry black woman” stereotype, and her resilience reminded us of the countless ways during which Black women have long been pillars of American progress.

But now plainly this dream has been placed on the back burner. Trump’s victory brings back a well-recognized fear. His administration has at all times signaled a disregard for racial equality and women’s rights. We’ve seen what happens when hard-won protections are dismantled: voting rights are violated, police grow to be more aggressive, access to health care is restricted, and social justice is sidelined. For me as a black woman, these changes aren’t abstract political moves; these are issues of survival and dignity. The rhetoric surrounding us is a direct reflection of how protected, valued and vulnerable we feel in our own country.

With Trump’s victory comes the specter of Project 2025, a conservative motion plan that would severely limit civil rights, access to health care and economic resources, especially for Black Americans. Proposed cuts and restructuring of health care, housing and education could reverse years of progress and disproportionately harm marginalized communities. In my work, I see the potential impact on Black-owned businesses that already face enormous barriers to accessing capital. My clients – small business owners who’ve put every part into their ventures – are actually apprehensive about surviving in an economy that will push them further aside. Their concerns echo my very own, underscoring a reality we all know all too well: for us, progress is never linear and actually not guaranteed.

Twice nearly as good

But she didn’t win. We know that Black women often have to be twice nearly as good to achieve half nearly as good. Instead, America selected a criminal over an experienced black woman and it hurts. His victory brought back memories of my very own profession, after I began my first job in the technology industry over 30 years ago. I earned a formidable six-figure salary and came upon that my white friend made $30,000 greater than me. I had a diploma; he didn’t do it. While I used to be promoted to manager, he was promoted to director, and the company ended up paying for his education while I self-funded my MBA. That was the first time I understood how much white men were pampered and given opportunities to achieve perfection that black women were simply expected to earn.

Kamala was greater than qualified — she had worked as a prosecutor for 13 years, was the first Black and South Asian woman elected as a district attorney in California, the first Black and South Asian woman in the United States Senate, and the first woman of color to function vice chairman. By contrast, Trump is a convicted felon, born into privilege, who paid someone to take the SATs, filed for bankruptcy six times, was found guilty of sexual assault, incited a deadly revolt and denied the results of the 2020 presidential election. But by some means he won.

For Black Americans, Trump’s return to office is greater than symbolic. The reality of Trump’s latest presidency appears to be looming. Project 2025 plans to dismantle civil rights protections, access to health care, and economic opportunity that our communities have fought to provide. For those of us who in the past were forced to work twice as hard to achieve half as much, the stakes couldn’t seem higher.

Peace priority

The consequences of these selections aren’t just political – they’re deeply personal. As a therapist, I actually have seen firsthand how alternative anxiety affects my clients. After the elections, this tension will only deepen. Many people struggle with concerns about their future safety, rights and dignity in an environment where they feel increasingly unheard and invisible. Advising clients in these times is difficult, especially knowing that they may face renewed threats to their mental health and well-being. They carry the burden of this country’s instability, and sometimes that burden is greater than anyone should bear.

While helping others, I also need to concentrate to my very own mental health. It’s hard to support others when your spirit is drained, when their fears mirror yours. Taking care of yourself is not just a buzzword for me now – it is a necessity. Every day I remind myself that I cannot pour from an empty cup; so as to serve my clients and community, I need to provide myself with a spot to rest, recharge, and find peace inside myself.

Protecting our peace in times like these requires intention and care. It starts with tuning out the noise – setting boundaries around the news to stay on top of things and prevent anxiety from creeping in. Community is a balm, a reminder that we’re on this together. Leaning on friends, family and networks keeps us grounded and resilient. Mindfulness practices, corresponding to just a few minutes of quiet reflection or deep respiratory, can show you how to regain calm in the face of stress. Taking small actions, volunteering, supporting essential causes restores a way of control and purpose.

And still we rise

When I take into consideration this moment, I do not forget that Black women have faced adversity for generations and proceed to thrive. Kamala Harris’s candidacy, irrespective of the end result, has ignited something inside us – the determination to claim our space, construct our communities, and defend justice. The fight for equality and progress doesn’t end with one election; it is a lifelong journey and we’re uniquely equipped to sail it.

So today I hold space for my disappointment. But tomorrow, like all Black women who know that our value, power, and stories are greater than any single person or alternative, I’ll return to work. We will proceed to move forward, not just for ourselves, but for generations who will look back on this moment and know that we never gave up. Together we embody resilience and together we are going to rise.

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You’re preparing for music festival season and considering your options – what artists you ought to see, who’s going, what outfits you will need, how you will get there, and maybe what substances you propose to take.

Have you heard about ketamineI’ve thought of trying it out and perhaps played around with it a couple of times. You could have friends who’ve tried it or use it frequently.

In fact, data released today suggests that ketamine consumption in Australia is at levels highest level of all time.

Here are five things it’s essential learn about ketamine (and other substances) to maintain you and your folks protected this party season.

What is ketamine?

Ketamine was developed in the Nineteen Sixties and is widely used as an anesthetic for humans and veterinary medicine. More recently, ketamine has been utilized in medicine in small doses for pain relief and as an antidepressant. A growing number (*5*)clinical trials are investigating whether it could be a useful adjunct to psychotherapy for substance use disorders and mental health conditions.

Ketamine is used recreationally, often known as K, special vitamin K, vitamin K, kit kat or ket. It is commonly sold as a white powder that is inhaled, producing stimulant and hallucinogenic effects.

Taking an excessive amount of may cause unpleasant and disturbing effects called the “K-hole”. This happens when people feel disconnected from their body and surroundings, experiencing a sleep-like state (often known as dissociation).

Other effects include nausea, vomiting and in some cases convulsions. One study found that ketamine can irritate the bladder lining approximately every fourth People who used ketamine recreationally experienced urinary symptoms reminiscent of burning or stinging.

Why is ketamine consumption so high?

Ketamine continues to turn out to be the drug of alternative for many individuals in the party scene.

Australian National Drug Strategy 2022-2023 Household Survey estimated Over the past 12 months, 300,000 people in the community have used ketamine. That’s about triple the 2016 figure and is near estimates 400,000 people using MDMA.

Results from across Australia released today show that levels of ketamine released into sewage were at an all-time high, each in capital cities and in regional areas.

It is unclear why ketamine use is increasing. Perhaps this is since it is barely cheaper than other drugs reminiscent of cocaine. Perhaps the dissociative effects of ketamine are attracting the attention of those excited about altered states of consciousness. It might also be perceived as safer and more acceptable on account of its increasing medical use.

Is it ketamine or something else?

In Australia, the purity of ketamine varies greatly. What you purchase will likely contain other substances, so it’s difficult to know what you are getting and the way it would affect you.

Ketamine analogues are substances with a chemical structure much like ketamine, but producing different effects. Many of those analogues were found during drug checking (also often known as pill testing). These include CanKet and roofing (veterinary sedative).

These analogues may go slower (so people could also be tempted to take more). Their effects may last more than regular ketamine.

You might also have heard of “pink cocaine”, one in all several drugs linked to: recent death former One Direction singer Liam Payne. Pink cocaine is normally a mix of ketamine and MDMA, not cocaine. This too often known as tusi.

Worryingly, in Australia, strong opioid drugs called nitazines have also been detected in ketamine. They have also been detected in cocaine and MDMA.

Can ketamine result in addiction?

Regular use of ketamine can result in psychological addiction, where people feel a robust must use even in the event that they have already begun to experience harmful effects.

Although the numbers are relatively low, an increasing number young people in the UK are looking for treatment for using ketamine. In addition to liver and brain damage, chronic (long-term) ketamine use may result bladder damagewhich can require surgery.

Avoid using ketamine frequently and seek skilled help early in case you think you would like help along with your use.

How to remain protected

1. Check your drugs

In Australia, drug checking services can be found in some areas. These non-judgmental, friendly services can test your medicine when you wait, supplying you with necessary details about what is (or is not) in it. You can then resolve what you ought to do with it.

You can go to a hard and fast site reminiscent of CanTest in the Australian Capital Territory or Checkpoint in Queensland before the festival to check his drugs. Some festivals or events have such elements on-site servicesincluding this 12 months’s students on the Gold Coast in Queensland.

You also can look out for local drug alerts (for ketamine and other drugs on the market) posted on web sites like ours – TheKnow.org.au.

2. Start low, go slow

If you propose to take ketamine (or another drug), start with a small amount to feel the effects before taking more. Wait a couple of hours before re-administration.

3. Avoid mixing medications

Avoid using ketamine with other substances as they might interact and increase the risk of harm. Alcohol and ketamine in small doses it may cause nausea and vomiting, and in larger doses it may cause more serious effects reminiscent of stroke and cardiac arrest.

When mixed with ketamine, sedatives reminiscent of GHB, opioids, and benzodiazepines (for instance, Valium) may cause lack of consciousness, difficulty respiratory, and in some cases, death.

4. Tell your folks

If you propose to use ketamine, use it with people you are feeling protected with. Let others know what you took, and if possible, take a friend with you who doesn’t use. If you’re concerned about the effects of a drug, seek help.

Music festivals often have supporting teams of individuals with experience with drug use (e.g DanceWize). These peers can offer you advice on safer partying and drug use.

5. Be prepared

Because ketamine may contain opioids, everyone must be prepared to acknowledge the symptoms of an opioid overdose – disturbance or lack of consciousness, slow or difficult respiratory.

Naloxone can and does reverse the effects of an opioid overdose available freed from charge and and not using a prescription in some pharmacies in Australia.