Room for Us #8 • Does Activism Ignite or Burn Us Out?

✨ Room for Us #8 • Does activism ignite or burn us out?

Do you sometimes feel alone in this uncertain world? Do you need a community where you can belong simply by being yourself?

Room for Us is an event series created by the Vikerteraapia think tank to support LGBT+ people and allies. It is a place created together, where you can feel the support of community, time can flow peacefully, and there is room to breathe. We look inward with curiosity—we learn to listen to our bodies, respect our boundaries, and notice the wisdom we already have within us. Because the best thing we can do to support our mental health is to stay connected: to ourselves and to one another. 🌿

The series’ eighth event focuses on the role activism plays in supporting and harming mental health. In a discussion circle, we’ll explore how activism can bring meaning to life and thereby support mental health, but can also lead to burnout and compassion fatigue—and how to protect ourselves from that.

The evening will be facilitated by the think tank’s founders, psychologist Laura Barbo and somatic coach Joelle Marcelle Antson. Sara Barbo and Anette Mäletjärv will share their experiences.

Laura works as a psychologist at the Papaver Centre and holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and counselling from Arden University. She has also long been involved in peer support, fostering connection within the LGBT+ community, and learning about the complexities of human psychology. Laura wrote her bachelor’s thesis on minority stress and the experiences of LGBT+ people in Estonia with mental health professionals.

Joelle is a somatic coach and bodyworker at the Strozzi Institute, as well as a restorative justice trainer. She supports LGBT+ and neurodivergent people and women in embodying their authentic truth. She also organises cuddle and play parties for queer people. In her work, Joelle combines politicised somatics, restorative justice, and systemic family and couples therapy.

Sara Barbo is an ethnographic philosopher who studies how trans rights and animal advocacy activists seek balance between what is possible and what is necessary. As an activist, she didn’t find that balance herself—instead, she got burned out.

Anette Mäletjärv is a Tallinn city councillor, DJ, and human rights activist who, thanks to her ADHD, has managed to burn out as a student, a professional LGBT+ activist, and an adviser to the Minister of Health. She has no intention of burning out again; three times is enough.

Taking part in discussions and exercises is always voluntary, so everyone can choose whether to participate and how deeply to engage. Depending on participants’ wishes and needs, the event will be held in Estonian or English. Please let us know your language preferences when registering.

🕯 When and where
📅 19 November, 17:30–21:00
📍 Kartul (Kopli tn 16)

We’ll start the discussion at 18:00. Before then, you can order drinks and good vegan food from Kartul.

As places are limited, please register by 16 November at the latest by purchasing a ticket through Fienta (€0–25).

💜 Bring your favourite snacks or drinks to share with others. You can also bring a water bottle, a friend, a toy, or anything else that helps you feel comfortable.

✨ See you soon!
Vikerteraapia think tank