In an era when political upheaval, social unrest, and polarized discourse seems to dominate the headlines, we can’t ignore the mental and emotional toll of living through this divide. As both a feminist and a mental health therapist, I often find myself grappling with the intersection of political stress and wellness. Many people feel like the world is constantly shifting, which makes finding peace of mind difficult. Though some view political events as distant, abstract phenomena, their impact on mental health — especially on those from marginalized groups — can be profound.
The Impact of Political Stress on Mental Health
Political stress manifests in a variety of ways. It can appear as a pervasive sense of anxiety, depression, exhaustion, anger, or hopelessness. Constant exposure to news cycles full of conflict, injustice, and uncertainty can lead us to feel burnout. For many people, the sheer volume of distressing headlines — from economic instability to climate crises to social injustice — can make politics feel impossible to escape.
But the way that political stress impacts people’s mental health isn’t universal. While we all experience the collective trauma of living through uncertain times, those with marginalized identities — especially women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, and disabled people — often bear the brunt of political turmoil in more profound and specific ways. For example:
- Women are more likely to feel anxiety in response to threats to reproductive rights, gender-based violence, and the erosion of social protections.
- BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) communities are more vulnerable to racial profiling, police violence, and the systemic inequities that deepen during political crises.
- LGBTQ+ individuals may experience heightened fear of losing civil rights, facing discrimination, or experiencing the effects of political environments that undermine their dignity and identities.
- Disabled people often face challenges with accessing healthcare and social services. Additionally, disability discrimination protections become especially precarious when political leaders push for austerity measures or anti-disability legislation.
This is why it’s essential to examine political stress through the lenses of gender, sexual orientation, race, ability status, and class and to recognize how systemic inequities can deepen feelings of helplessness and powerlessness.
Feminist Therapy and Political Wellness
From a feminist perspective, political stress is inextricably linked to the ways that we experience power and control. Feminist therapy, at its core, seeks to emphasize the importance of social context as it relates to mental health. This approach challenges the idea that mental health issues are purely biological, arguing instead that they are tied to social and political systems of oppression.
One of the central tenets of feminist therapy is that personal problems are often political problems. In this context, mental health struggles arising from political stress aren’t simply a matter of individuals’ abilities to cope but also a reflection of larger systemic issues. For example, feelings of helplessness or frustration in the face of political gridlock or unjust policies may arise as a response to the powerlessness many individuals feel in the face of this social stratification.
In my work as a therapist, I encourage clients to understand the connection between their emotional experiences and the political environments in which they live. This helps them to not only process their emotional pain but also to understand their stress and trauma as part of a larger struggle for justice, equality, and dignity. When clients realize that they’re not alone in their feelings of distress and that others share these feelings, they’ll discover that this solidarity and empowerment can foster healing.
Coping Strategies for Political Stress
How do we take care of our mental health in this overwhelming political landscape? Here are a few strategies that can help us navigate political stress:
Limit your exposure to the news.
In an age of 24-hour media and social media, it’s easy for the news to consume us. While staying informed is important, constant exposure to distressing stories can also exacerbate anxiety and depression. Setting clear boundaries around how much news you consume, when you consume it, and which sources you use can help you regain a sense of control.Practice collective healing.
Healing isn’t just an individual act; it’s also a collective one. Engage in community-building activities where you can share your concerns with others who understand the current political landscape. Being part of the collective movement for justice, whether through activism, community organizing, or even mutual aid, can help reduce the feelings of isolation that often come with political stress. There is power in numbers, and collective action can transform feelings of helplessness into empowerment.Prioritize radical self-care.
Self-care has become a buzzword, but in the context of political stress, it’s important to consider self-care not just as an individual practice, but also as an act of resistance. Taking care of yourself in a way that replenishes your energy and restores your spirit is vital to resisting political oppression. This could mean engaging in creative expression, practicing mindfulness, exercising, or simply spending time with loved ones. Creating a lifestyle that fosters joy and well-being matters in the face of a hostile world.Channel anger into action. Feminist theory often emphasizes the transformative power of anger. Anger, especially when it arises from injustice, can be a powerful motivator for change. Instead of suppressing anger, which can lead to anxiety or depression, channel your emotions into activism. Whether you write to your elected officials, attend protests, or volunteer with social justice organizations, taking action allows you to reclaim agency and contribute to collective change.Try narrative therapy. Narrative therapy, a therapeutic approach that emphasizes the stories we tell about ourselves, can help us reframe our relationships with political stress. Instead of seeing ourselves as passive, narrative therapy invites us to reframe our stories and recognize our agency. In a feminist context, this means recognizing that we are part of a long history of resistance, and that we can shape our own narratives by acting on our values.Address intersectionality in your healing. Intersectionality: It’s crucial to acknowledge that political stress affects people differently depending on their intersectional identities. By exploring the ways that oppressive systems affect your emotional and mental well-being, you can better advocate for yourself and access the support that you need.
The mental health challenges we face amidst turbulent political times are real, but they’re not insurmountable. As we navigate this landscape, it’s crucial to remember that we are not isolated in our struggles. Our personal well-being is deeply tied to the collective well-being of our communities, and by engaging in collective healing, activism, and solidarity, we can transform the weight of political stress into a source of strength.
Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash
