PORTLAND, Ore. — It’s not only election results that have people stressed, but also upcoming election discussions at home, work and throughout communities as results are announced.
Mental health counselors say many people are feeling extreme despair this election season. Navigating those feelings with loved ones, friends and co-workers may be difficult.
Multnomah County suicide prevention coordinator Canada Taylor Parker said we are dealing with "unprecedented" stress, and many people are having a difficult time regulating their feelings.
“Wow, I never knew an election would be like this,” described Taylor Parker, about what she’s hearing from people. “It feels like everything is on fire, and everything's moving, and we're inside of a dumpster, and it's rolling and we can't control it.”
Parker said we may not be able to control the election, but we can control how we take care of ourselves, and our relationships.
“Acknowledging this isn't ok, and it's not going to feel ok. How can I be generous and self-compassionate, so I can do the things I need to do, fill myself up and get through this moment?”
Parker says it's time to pull out those “good relationship” skills. As ballots get counted and results begin to come in, she says tense election discussions are sure to follow.
“Draw some boundaries,” she said. “I know that's hard when you care about people, especially when it's something they are very passionate about, but say, ‘I don't want to talk about this and I need a little time to decompress.’”
Parker recommended being prepared to walk away when the discussion gets heated.
She said to offer compassion to your spouse, friend or co-worker, but know your own limits.
Planning activities or a special meal might help as distractions from the election. However, plan for an extended period of election-related stress since many results could take days or weeks to be finalized.
People walking in downtown Portland Monday shared their own insights on dealing with election stress.
“I'm worried about things,” said Leo Martinez. “But I can't control it outside of my vote— so I just have to remember that.”
"Finding the humanity in everyone,” Alfrelynn Roberts said, referring to how to get along with others during the election season. “And giving everyone grace — knowing you have an opinion and I have an opinion.”
“We should be able to come to some consensus, at some point,” she said.
“We don’t get through this alone," Parker said. "These elections don’t happen with people alone.”
“The people closest to us, who enforce those good values in our life, who fill us; we really need to connect with those people so desperately right now.”
She added, children are watching and learning from their parents.
Emmett, a student at Lincoln High School said his parents appear stressed over the election.
“Sometimes, I just walk away because if I want my own opinion — I can’t have them stressed in front of me.”
“I think it’s stressful for all of America. I feel like we’re being divided somehow through politics and I don’t think that’s a great thing for us,” Emmett said.