US Election 2024 - Mental Health Resources and Guidance
Nov 4, 2024 16:26:13 GMT -5
Killix, Birdy, and 6 more like this
Post by Gelquie on Nov 4, 2024 16:26:13 GMT -5
US Election Day is on November 5th. I'm sure I don't need to explain the tension, election anxieties, and safety considerations. And I don't need to explain the uncertainties of the upcoming results. It's a tense time. Maybe you're already feeling the tension. So I wanted to drop a list of resources and tips for managing your mental health and how to move forward, whatever the election result may be.
Resources first. Maybe you don't have time to read tips on advice, maybe you're in a moment Right Now, or maybe you're skeptical of the upcoming advice. So here are a list of helplines and self care guides. Wherever you get help, please get help somewhere.
General Help Lines/Suicide Prevention Resources
• 988lifeline.org/
• www.thetrevorproject.org/
• www.apa.org/topics/crisis-hotlines
o List of several different hotlines
Handling Political/Election Anxiety
• www.crisistextline.org/topics/election-anxiety/#coping-with-pre-election-anxiety-1
o Can also text “ELECTION” to 741741 to chat with somebody
• www.michiganmedicine.org/health-lab/5-ways-manage-politically-induced-stress
• www.whittier.edu/sites/default/files/media/counseling/PostElectionSelfCare.pdf
o Student specific
Helping Somebody Else
• 988lifeline.org/help-someone-else/
• 988lifeline.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/SupportForSuicidalIndividuals_988.pdf
• www.cnn.com/2016/11/11/health/election-crisis-suicide-prevention-hotlines/index.html
International Resources
• www.iasp.info/crisis-centres-helplines/
Also check out your state help lines. (Once we get helplines for several states, I'll add a second box of resources for those.)
If you have a workplace that has Employee Resource Groups, they might have resources or ways to reach out for help for election anxiety or assistance with marginalized groups. Check with them.
(Think we missed something? Drop a mod a line with a new link. We'll want to vet the site before adding it to the list. Chances are as long as it's generally helpful and doesn't have misinformation or bias, we'll add it.)
Now for tips.
-I'm a member of a marginalized community; I'm afraid the main hotlines won't understand me.
I can't promise it'll cover everything, but chances are there's a hotline for you. We linked The Trevor Project, which is a LGBT+ support line, but it's not strictly for LGBT+ topics. Maybe you're a member of the community who needs support, or you need advice for supporting friends in marginalized groups. We link the Trevor Project because we feel that they have more context to how election realities will affect certain groups of people, and thus will be more nuanced and will have advice ready for that, should that be the root of your concern.
If you know another hotline that is generally nuanced and understanding of marginalized topics, please let us know. We want to know them and add them.
-How do I help someone else who's either in a crisis or expressing worrying or extreme notions related to politics or the election?
First, take a breath. In any approach in this situation, it's imperative to ground yourself. Approaching with anxiety will just feed others' anxiety.
Then, decide how deep you want to involve yourself. Do you just need to shut down a spiral? Do you want to have a conversation? Or do you not have the capacity for that at the moment and just want to give resources for those who do want to help.
Feel free to take the list of helplines above if you just want to drop some links. Perhaps state that you're concerned about their wellbeing, and while you may not be available to talk due to time or mental energy, there are options always available if they need them.
If you want to have a full conversation, this resource has some tips on how to talk to someone in these situations.
www.samhsa.gov/mental-health/how-to-talk/friends-and-family-members
Some takeaways.
-Don't judge or make demands. Avoid ultimatums, accusations, and arguments.
-Ask where they are. Are they getting help? What do they have available? Do they know the resources? Are they skeptical about any of them?
-Explain what they have available that they don't have. Ask if any of those would fit and if they would like more info.
-Ask them what helped them deal with a similar situation. Or other things that help: grounding techniques, distractions, what kind of conversations and approaches help them the most.
-Ask them if they need help seeking self-care and coping techniques.
-When talking about an action that may not be conducive to their mental health, ask them how it resulted. How did it make them feel? What did it accomplish? Did it leave them feeling better/worse? Did it make the situation better/worse? If worse, how else could they approach it better that's in line with their character?
-If the person becomes agitated or confused, slow down. Meet them where they are. If they're agitated and open to the following idea, practice a grounding exercise together.
-If needed, encourage them to take their mental health seriously. Mental health can have a similar impact as physical health (and in fact can be tied). It's okay and normal to seek treatment for physical health, just as it would be for mental health.
-I reached out to help, but they refused!
Respect their wishes. Mental health is a labyrinth, and due to differing brains and different backgrounds, no one's is the same. Even established therapists are vetted for best fit. Usually, the other person knows what's best for them in terms of who to accept help from and which friend would have the best approach in a situation. You can always leave them with the resources for their own perusal if you're still concerned.
After that, continue to be their friend. Be encouraged to stay casual with them in normal situations. Play games, do silly tasks, be normal around each other, don't make every conversation about mental health. Sometimes friendship with casual times is all someone may need to feel better about life. If you want to be able to be there for people, show that you are a safe person to talk to through your general words and actions, including how you talk about certain topics. Then be there when they reach out, or know where to delegate when you really can't and the two of you can't delay a talk until later.
-My issue is more what to do at the polls. What if something happens?
This is a reliable guide for what to do in the event of Something happening and what your rights are, so that you can't be misled or intimidated into not voting, and what to do if someone tries to do so: www.aclu.org/know-your-rights/voting-rights#what-are-my-general-rights-on-election-day
-Bad things are happening. How can I not think about them? I need to help, forget about my mental health!
The world will always change and have troubles, but you can take steps to take care of yourself regardless. If you are eager to more actively help, you will be more effective at it when you help get yourself into a steady position first. In fact, you might cause unintended consequences if you don't take your mental health into account before engaging. It's okay to disengage if you are at your limit. Sleep, listen to music, play a video game, talk it out, you know what helps you best. Let it ground and rest you. Then return when you are ready.
(This assumes you are not in a complex emergency active situation, in which case I doubt you're on this forum reading this post.)
If you think I missed a point, please reach out, and I might write something into this post.
Take care of yourself. Go vote if you are in the US and haven't already. Vote even if you think you'll be outnumbered; the polls could be wrong. Remember your local elections. Do something nice for yourself the night of the election regardless. Take care of yourself.
Resources first. Maybe you don't have time to read tips on advice, maybe you're in a moment Right Now, or maybe you're skeptical of the upcoming advice. So here are a list of helplines and self care guides. Wherever you get help, please get help somewhere.
General Help Lines/Suicide Prevention Resources
• 988lifeline.org/
• www.thetrevorproject.org/
• www.apa.org/topics/crisis-hotlines
o List of several different hotlines
Handling Political/Election Anxiety
• www.crisistextline.org/topics/election-anxiety/#coping-with-pre-election-anxiety-1
o Can also text “ELECTION” to 741741 to chat with somebody
• www.michiganmedicine.org/health-lab/5-ways-manage-politically-induced-stress
• www.whittier.edu/sites/default/files/media/counseling/PostElectionSelfCare.pdf
o Student specific
Helping Somebody Else
• 988lifeline.org/help-someone-else/
• 988lifeline.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/SupportForSuicidalIndividuals_988.pdf
• www.cnn.com/2016/11/11/health/election-crisis-suicide-prevention-hotlines/index.html
International Resources
• www.iasp.info/crisis-centres-helplines/
Also check out your state help lines. (Once we get helplines for several states, I'll add a second box of resources for those.)
If you have a workplace that has Employee Resource Groups, they might have resources or ways to reach out for help for election anxiety or assistance with marginalized groups. Check with them.
(Think we missed something? Drop a mod a line with a new link. We'll want to vet the site before adding it to the list. Chances are as long as it's generally helpful and doesn't have misinformation or bias, we'll add it.)
Now for tips.
-I'm a member of a marginalized community; I'm afraid the main hotlines won't understand me.
I can't promise it'll cover everything, but chances are there's a hotline for you. We linked The Trevor Project, which is a LGBT+ support line, but it's not strictly for LGBT+ topics. Maybe you're a member of the community who needs support, or you need advice for supporting friends in marginalized groups. We link the Trevor Project because we feel that they have more context to how election realities will affect certain groups of people, and thus will be more nuanced and will have advice ready for that, should that be the root of your concern.
If you know another hotline that is generally nuanced and understanding of marginalized topics, please let us know. We want to know them and add them.
-How do I help someone else who's either in a crisis or expressing worrying or extreme notions related to politics or the election?
First, take a breath. In any approach in this situation, it's imperative to ground yourself. Approaching with anxiety will just feed others' anxiety.
Then, decide how deep you want to involve yourself. Do you just need to shut down a spiral? Do you want to have a conversation? Or do you not have the capacity for that at the moment and just want to give resources for those who do want to help.
Feel free to take the list of helplines above if you just want to drop some links. Perhaps state that you're concerned about their wellbeing, and while you may not be available to talk due to time or mental energy, there are options always available if they need them.
If you want to have a full conversation, this resource has some tips on how to talk to someone in these situations.
www.samhsa.gov/mental-health/how-to-talk/friends-and-family-members
Some takeaways.
-Don't judge or make demands. Avoid ultimatums, accusations, and arguments.
-Ask where they are. Are they getting help? What do they have available? Do they know the resources? Are they skeptical about any of them?
-Explain what they have available that they don't have. Ask if any of those would fit and if they would like more info.
-Ask them what helped them deal with a similar situation. Or other things that help: grounding techniques, distractions, what kind of conversations and approaches help them the most.
-Ask them if they need help seeking self-care and coping techniques.
-When talking about an action that may not be conducive to their mental health, ask them how it resulted. How did it make them feel? What did it accomplish? Did it leave them feeling better/worse? Did it make the situation better/worse? If worse, how else could they approach it better that's in line with their character?
-If the person becomes agitated or confused, slow down. Meet them where they are. If they're agitated and open to the following idea, practice a grounding exercise together.
-If needed, encourage them to take their mental health seriously. Mental health can have a similar impact as physical health (and in fact can be tied). It's okay and normal to seek treatment for physical health, just as it would be for mental health.
-I reached out to help, but they refused!
Respect their wishes. Mental health is a labyrinth, and due to differing brains and different backgrounds, no one's is the same. Even established therapists are vetted for best fit. Usually, the other person knows what's best for them in terms of who to accept help from and which friend would have the best approach in a situation. You can always leave them with the resources for their own perusal if you're still concerned.
After that, continue to be their friend. Be encouraged to stay casual with them in normal situations. Play games, do silly tasks, be normal around each other, don't make every conversation about mental health. Sometimes friendship with casual times is all someone may need to feel better about life. If you want to be able to be there for people, show that you are a safe person to talk to through your general words and actions, including how you talk about certain topics. Then be there when they reach out, or know where to delegate when you really can't and the two of you can't delay a talk until later.
-My issue is more what to do at the polls. What if something happens?
This is a reliable guide for what to do in the event of Something happening and what your rights are, so that you can't be misled or intimidated into not voting, and what to do if someone tries to do so: www.aclu.org/know-your-rights/voting-rights#what-are-my-general-rights-on-election-day
-Bad things are happening. How can I not think about them? I need to help, forget about my mental health!
The world will always change and have troubles, but you can take steps to take care of yourself regardless. If you are eager to more actively help, you will be more effective at it when you help get yourself into a steady position first. In fact, you might cause unintended consequences if you don't take your mental health into account before engaging. It's okay to disengage if you are at your limit. Sleep, listen to music, play a video game, talk it out, you know what helps you best. Let it ground and rest you. Then return when you are ready.
(This assumes you are not in a complex emergency active situation, in which case I doubt you're on this forum reading this post.)
If you think I missed a point, please reach out, and I might write something into this post.
Take care of yourself. Go vote if you are in the US and haven't already. Vote even if you think you'll be outnumbered; the polls could be wrong. Remember your local elections. Do something nice for yourself the night of the election regardless. Take care of yourself.
