Why we love them
We love El Mundo Duele for recognising that asking the difficult, pivotal questions about the world’s future and our place in it takes its toll. Activism in response to the intertwined social, environmental, political, and humanitarian crises often comes at a price – not the cognitive dissonance of disavowal or the disempowerment of inaction, but the pain, anger, and grief of awareness. But all is not as dark as it seems. In validating social contexts, where emotionally sustainable activism is collectively supported, finding agency in action can give hope.
What they do
El Mundo Duele is a mental health NGO based in Mexico City that provides psychosocial support to frontline defenders, whether they are environmental protectors, human rights activists, social workers in highly vulnerable contexts, or emergency responders. Their programmes are designed to address trauma, the effects of structural violence, burnout, stress, and emotional exhaustion. El Mundo Duele think that inner work and self-care are not a luxury for activist organisations, but their heartbeat. This shifts the perception of how we define strength, building a narrative of resilience to keep the momentum, inspiration, and dedication for transformation going:
“We believe that, in times of polycrisis, learning how to sustain ourselves emotionally is a deeply political and collective act. These workshops are an invitation not to harden or disconnect, but to find more humane and sustainable ways of being in the world.”
How they fit in the ecology of movements
They help the helpers. They have experience from collaborating with organizations such as Greenpeace and CLAAC and delivering conferences and masterclasses on mental health for international platforms, including the Nobel Peace Laureates Conference and Extinction Rebellion Argentina. We are honoured to learn from the struggles and strategies of activists and their helpers from across the ocean.
Support & Donate
You can support El Mundo Duele by offering your expertise as a professional in the social field, by offering resources through your organisation, or by donating. To maintain their independence, they do not accept government funding.
