Avengers, Assemble!

By Janina Scarlet, PhD, author of Dark Agents, Book One

During this challenging time, many of us might feel weighted down by the world’s pain. And why wouldn’t we? We are empathic creatures, and so, of course, seeing other people suffering all over the world can be excruciating, even if we don’t know all of them personally. We might be feeling overwhelmed, but it does not mean that we are powerless. 

Like the many fictional Superheroes we see in comic books, movies, and TV shows, we are facing an actual monster that is threatening our planet. And like the monsters we see defeated by Superheroes, this monster too, will be defeated, but we all need to work together.

There are seven billion people in this world, and each one of us has a role to play now. We are all facing the same enemy and there is always something we can do. Whether you are working in a hospital, pharmacy, grocery store, or from your own home, you all make a difference. By practicing physical distancing, you are helping save lives. By checking on other people, like your friends and family members, you are saving lives. By posting a word of encouragement, you are saving lives.

Close your eyes and imagine all seven billion of us holding hands and facing off against a monster. Seven billion of us standing strong as the monster is getting weaker over time. That is what all of us working together is doing. Us staying at home, us sharing love and support for one another, us posting encouraging messages, having virtual game nights, virtual movie nights, and virtual picnics, us supporting one another while each playing our role—that is what Superheroes do. And that is what you are—a Superhero.

Thank you for being wonderful. Don’t forget your cape.

Janina Scarlet, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist, an award-winning author, and a full-time geek. A Ukrainian-born refugee, she survived Chernobyl radiation and persecution. Scarlet immigrated to the United States at the age of twelve with her family, and later, inspired by the X-Men, developed Superhero Therapy to help patients with anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). She has been awarded the United Nations Association Eleanor Roosevelt Human Rights Award for her book, Superhero Therapy. Her other books include Harry Potter Therapy, Therapy Quest, and Super-Women.