22News is your local election headquarters, and a new survey shows the upcoming presidential election is affecting voters’ mental health. Nearly 60 percent of people said the election has negatively impacted them.
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – 22News is your local election headquarters, and a new survey shows the upcoming presidential election is affecting voters’ mental health. Nearly 60 percent of people said the election has negatively impacted them.
With the presidential election just weeks away, a number of issues are currently occupying voters’ minds, including immigration, climate disasters..and the economy. Many believe the outcome of this election will affect our future. As a result, many are feeling anxious and unsure about the direction of our country.
“It seems like at times, my thought is we are very divided, now than we have ever been,” said Kenneth Smith of West Springfield.
Both campaigns have seen several unexpected twists and turns, with Biden out, and Kamala Harris in, and assassination attempts targeting former President Donald Trump. The Senior Vice President at the Behavioral Health Network, Katherine Mague explains how to navigate through these events.
“Stress and Anxiety is our body’s alarm system, that says is something going wrong here, and the way to manage that is to think about what can I control what do I have control over and focus your energies on that,” said Mague.
Mental Health Experts say to allow yourself to take breaks from social media. According to a report, the average person spends 2 and a half hours a day on social media, which can lead to increased anxiety.
“Perhaps creating a little bit of space and time to be with those feelings and process them, even with others who might be having similar thoughts and responses and taking care of oneself getting enough rest, good nutrition and sleep,” expressed the Director of Substance Use Programs at River Valley Counseling Center, Mareike Every-Giroux.
And before you vote, you need to make sure you are registered. The deadline is October 26th.
If you choose to vote by mail, you must request your ballot by October 29th.
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