Disheartened New Yorkers seeking out ‘Subway Therapy’

WHILE disgruntled New Yorkers hit the streets in protest after Donald Trump’s astonishing presidential win, there’s been another type of protest going on underground.

Anti-Trump protesters shut down 5th Avenue in front of Trump Tower after the election of Donald Trump as president of the United State. Picture: Spencer Platt/Getty Images/AFP

WHILE disgruntled New Yorkers hit the streets in protest Wednesday night after Donald Trump’s astonishing presidential win, there’s been another type of protest going on underground.

An artist named Levee decided to set-up a “Subway Therapy” station in Manhattan, located in the 14th Street underpass between 6th and 7th Avenues.

Armed with a handful of pens and hundreds of colourful Post-it notes, he encouraged commuters to share their thoughts about the presidential election and stick them on the wall for others to read.

By Wednesday, there were upwards of 2000 Post-its stuck to the wall, expressing messages of hope, confusion, anger, shock, discontent and fear.

“What do we do now?” one person wrote.

“Time to fight back,” another reads.

“We will never give up,” a commuter wrote.

Another reads: “Racism, bigotry, ignorance won’t win.”

Levee, who clarifies on his website that he is “not a licensed therapist”, explains that “Subway Therapy” is “about making people smile, laugh, and feel less stress. If someone wants to get something off their chest or has a burning question, I’m happy to be there for them.”

The project started before Tuesday night’s election result, offering people the chance to get anything off their chest that they needed to.

Seen at the 6th ave/14th street subway tunnel. We really are in it together now. pic.twitter.com/Pey5gzStfm

— Sarah Shachat (@Shach_Attack) November 10, 2016

Subway love notes to America. New York values. pic.twitter.com/V0ZlbqNRD6

— Clare Malone (@ClareMalone) November 9, 2016

In the Union Square subway tunnel, people are leaving Post-it messages on the wall tonight. pic.twitter.com/LrqOHshF33

— Jenny Hollander (@_JennyHollander) November 10, 2016

Levee’s ‘About’ profile reads: “The last couple days have been stressful and I figured it would be good to not just be present, but provide people with an opportunity to engage in a small and easy way.

“It gave people an outlet to express their hopes and fears in a safe space. I only wrote ‘Express Yourself’ in Post-its, and the commuters of New York did the rest.”

Above ground on Wednesday night, Anti-Trump protesters shut down 5th Avenue in front of Trump Tower as thousands reacted to the election of Mr Trump as president.

Protesters in front of Trump Tower as New Yorkers react to the election results. Picture: Spencer Platt/Getty Images/AFP

Anxiety is so high in the Big Apple following Mr Trump’s shock win that patients are rushing to their therapists to book emergency therapy sessions.

Dr Chloe Carmichael, a clinical psychologist and stress management expert based in Manhattan, said she was already swamped at 7am on Wednesday helping her clients navigate their emotions surrounding the election’s results.

“It was something that came up immediately,” she told The New York Post.

And it wasn’t just Dr Carmichael’s existing patients who needed someone to talk to about the 2016 race.

“We did get a couple of calls from new clients who want to come in because they’re disappointed, very sad or honestly even really happy,” Dr Carmichael said.

Midtown psychologist Bruce Berman said he is not surprised city dwellers were having a hard time stomaching the reality of a Trump presidency.

“Certainly it’s expected in New York City because it is quite liberal,” he said. “It’s an outcome that is leaving people frightened, disappointed and somewhat grief-stricken.”

@c_albertdeitch this is what the wall looks like at 10:30pm pic.twitter.com/ouVz63zjY8

— VAYN MALIK (@MonaFeesa) November 10, 2016

14th Street Subway station pathway between 6th and 7th Avenue. New Yorkers writing encouraging post-it notes to each other, like after 9/11 pic.twitter.com/1dPiUWB0lB

— John Shade (@John5hade) November 10, 2016

Anyone feeling depressed or anxious should call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or BeyondBlue 1300 224 636