Here at Winter Sage Counseling, we believe in the dignity and inherent value of all human beings, regardless of national origin, skin color, gender or gender expression, disability status, sex, immigration status, or any other characteristic. As therapists, our ethical code REQUIRES this non-discriminatory stance.

No human is ‘illegal.”  Human and civil rights matter, and what we see with our own eyes is true and real, despite what our gaslighting government wants us to believe.

Impact of ICE /CBP/DHS Actions

The unconstitutional and often brutal actions of these agencies are creating collective trauma not only for those abducted and their sundered families, but our entire communities. This trauma can lead to heightened anxiety, fear, and depression, affecting our overall mental and physical health.

Healthcare workers, fire fighter/EMTs, therapists, teachers, and many other essential workers are experiencing daily vicarious trauma, making it more difficult to do our jobs when we are needed most. Founder Bobbie Winter acknowledges that as a white, highly educated woman with significant resources, she is not as impacted in many in her community. She believes that due to unearned her privilege, it is her ethical responsibility to support those most affected.

What can you do?

It can feel overwhelming when the firehose of fuckery never stops. Here’s our recommendations (also, see mental health resources at bottom of this page)

1. Create your own safety: physical, cognitive and emotional. 
   1. Do a real risk assessment, find the place you feel safest, and do some deep breathing while telling yourself “right here, right now I am safe.”
   2. Get outside (I know, rain). Go for walks, spend time with animals and move your body. When we are in fight or flight mode, and our bodies don’t move, it creates more stress.
2. Create family safety: Assess the safety of your own chosen family. 
   1. Determine if there are places you will not go or people you need to stay away from. 
   2. Carry documentation (yeah, we REALLY hate saying this). 
   3. Think like a natural disaster: have a plan of where to meet if communications are not available, and food and water for at least three days on hand . Don’t forget pet food.
   4. Ask for help where you need it.
3. Create Community Safety: Talk to each other, and make a plan for mutual aid. What is mutual aid? This might look like getting neighbors or a group you belong to together to discuss things like: pooling medical supplies in an emergency, caring for those with disabilities, making community meals, picking up kids at school, etc.
4. Join a resistance: There are many flavors, from rapid response networks to immigrant support networks. The Washington Immigration Solidarity Network is a great place to start. DONATE to WAISN
    

Mental health Resources

For mental health support in Seattle, you can contact the following resources:

• NAMI Seattle Helpline: Call or text (425) 298-5315 for mental health referrals and information. 
• Mental Health Hotline: Call 866-903-3787 for free, confidential assistance with any mental health issue. 
• Regional Crisis Line: Contact 206-461-3222 or dial 988 for immediate support. 
• 24-Hour Crisis Line: Provides immediate help for mental health crises. 
• Washington Recovery Help Line: For substance use or mental health support, you can also reach out to this line. 
• Gay city crisis line 24-Hour Crisis Line at (206) 461-3222.

FUCK ICE.  FUCK DHS.   FUCK CDP.  FUCK FASCISTS. AND ESPECIALLY FUCK DJT AND PROJECT 2025