Election week is upon us. As you move through this time, it’s important to intentionally prioritize caring for your mental health and emotional well-being in the days and weeks ahead. Here are seven resources to help:
- Manage sociopolitical stress: Feeling a wide range of heightened emotions during election season is normal. If you are experiencing election stress, you are not alone. Consider these strategies to manage sociopolitical stress.
- Practice mindfulness: Finding ways to ground yourself during this time is central to your well-being. Mindfulness can help you notice when you feel overwhelmed and point you in the direction of balance. Drop in to one of the Counseling Center’s 15-minute guided mindfulness meditations this week. 4 p.m. Wed., Nov.6; 3 p.m. Thurs., Nov. 7; and 3 p.m. Fri., Nov. 8 • Counseling Center • MORE
- Connect with others: Traversing emotionally charged times can be overwhelming. Whether you’re experiencing stress, anxiety, sadness, or simply need a space to process your thoughts, Togetherall is available for you. Togetherall is a free anonymous peer-to-peer online community where you can connect with others who are going through similar feelings. It’s a safe space to express how you’re feeling without fear of judgment, and it’s available 24/7 for all students.
- Support your mental health as an activist: Working together toward a shared cause that’s bigger than yourself can be a meaningful way to channel feelings of anger and frustration by uniting with others to effect social and political change. One of the most challenging aspects of activism is making sure to sustain the mental health and energy of the activist.
- Prepare for tough conversations: Navigating difficult conversations about politics can cause strain on our relationships, particularly when we hold different ideologies from someone we care about in our lives. Learn how dialogues can be highly productive when we approach difficult conversations with goals of increasing understanding and building connection.
- Use coping strategies at home: Traveling home for school breaks can be challenging for some students. Join the Counseling Center for Home for the Holidays, a program that will guide students through various coping strategies to use when feeling distressed and discuss ways to access affirming social supports. 12 p.m. Thurs., Nov. 21 • Skillman Library, Gendebien Room • MORE
- Get additional support: If you find yourself needing additional mental health support during this time, the Counseling Center is here for you! Just stop by the Consultation Clinic to meet with a counselor for a goal-oriented consultation session, available 10-11:30 a.m. and 1-3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Consultation sessions are provided on a first-come, first-served basis; no appointments are needed.
In addition, the Office of Intercultural Development will hold “Table Talks” on Wed., Nov. 6 from 1-3:30 p.m. in 107 Farinon Center for all students who wish to drop in and discuss post-election thoughts, feelings, or those who just want to be in community with others. For students wishing to process their thoughts privately, a staff member will also be available for one-on-one conversation during this time.
No matter what you’re facing, your mental and emotional well-being matter, and you don’t have to go through it alone. There are so many supports and resources available to you!
Submitted by: The Counseling Center and the Office of Intercultural Development