Sean “Diddy” Combs, known as P Diddy, has recently been accused of sex trafficking, sexual abuse and rape.
The civil lawsuits began when the rapper’s former partner, dancer and singer Cassandra “Cassie” Ventura alleged that P Diddy trafficked, raped and beat her over 10 years.
This has since led to multiple other cases against Combs, including an account from producer Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones and other women. [1]
This recent news of allegations against P Diddy can be extremely triggering for survivors of modern slavery, including human trafficking, sex trafficking or forced labour.
Modern slavery can lead to significant mental health issues and mental health consequences and it is vital to address these for better overall health. [2]
This article will give some guidance about how you can help your mental health when you’re a survivor of modern-day slavery.
Your psychological needs are most prominent as a survivor, so getting the best help from a professional psychologist is key. A trained therapist can assist you with navigating any mental health problems such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety and depression.
A therapist can also aid memory recall if you are having any issues with your cognitive functioning.
It is best to find a therapist who specialises in a trauma-informed approach so that you get the most appropriate guidance.
If you don’t feel comfortable meeting a therapist in person, most therapists hold online or phone therapy as well.
Another large factor in supporting your mental health as a survivor of modern slavery is making sure you feel safe at home. If you do not feel safe at home and you instead feel anxious, your mental health can decline.
To help feel less insecure, you could decide to live with a close friend or in a shared house with people you trust. Having your own space, though, can help you to feel independent.
You may also be allocated a government-funded place within a safe house. [3]
A fantastic way to build your mental health is to have a supportive network of people around you that you can turn to.
Whether it’s for a chat, a coffee, or going to yoga, having a friend to talk with and do activities can boost your mental health.
Meeting with friends can ease feelings of loneliness and boost your mood.
If you want to meet new people, why not join a gym or yoga class, or try to get involved in a group such as an art or reading group?
Exercise offers several various health benefits, as well as mental health benefits. [4]
Benefits include:
Taking part in exercise doesn’t necessarily mean going to the gym, but it can mean a whole host of other activities that are enjoyable for you and include promoting your social network as well. This includes:
Even five minutes of going outside with blue skies can do you a lot of good. Sunshine is a great source of vitamin D and can support improving your mood. [6]
Find several minutes in your day to:
Getting out of modern slavery can result in lasting impacts on your mental health. It’s important to address your mental health to live a healthy lifestyle in recovery.
If the recent news on P Diddy is triggering for you, don’t be afraid to limit your use of social media. Your mental health comes first so you should put your limits on what you read and are exposed to.
[1] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-68676287
[4] https://www.healthline.com/health/depression/exercise
[5] https://www.healthline.com/health/why-does-stretching-feel-good
[6] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2290997/
Boris is our editor-in-chief at Rehab 4 Addiction. Boris is an addiction expert with more than 20 years in the field. His expertise covers a broad of topics relating to addiction, rehab and recovery. Boris is an addiction therapist and assists in the alcohol detox and rehab process. Boris has been featured on a variety of websites, including the BBC, Verywell Mind and Healthline. You can connect with Boris online at LinkedIn or X.com.
