How to take care of your mental health as you struggle with the US election results – Canada News

The Canadian Psychological Association says the U.S. election has a global impact and it’s normal for many Canadians to have strong emotions about it — whether positive or negative.

Association president Anita Gupta, a clinical psychologist, says if people are feeling anxious or distressed about the results, they may want to take a break from reporting and social media.

Gupta says some people are sleep-deprived because they’ve been staying up late the last few nights to catch up on the latest developments, and she suggests prioritizing sleep tonight.

She says simple acts of self-care, such as eating well, staying hydrated, getting outside or hugging a loved one, can make a difference.

Gupta says some people will feel the need to talk about their feelings of anxiety or fear, but others may not be ready.

She says anxiety can worsen in some people who were already struggling, and reaching out to friends, family or a mental health professional can be helpful.

Gupta says a mental health professional can provide a safe space for people to be themselves and talk openly about how they are feeling, without risking offending others who may not share their views.

There is no “one size fits all” strategy, she said, but it can be helpful to remind ourselves of the positive things in our lives while acknowledging feelings about the election.

Someone might say, “This election really impacted me for XYZ reasons and my family loves me and I have a good job and I have friends who will support me,” said Gupta.

Gayle Browne, senior director at Kids Help Phone, says children and teens have likely seen and heard things about the US election through social media or by listening to their parents’ conversations and may have feelings about it.

Browne suggests that parents ask their children directly about their understanding of the election and if there is anything they want to talk about.

“I think what a lot of young people, and even adults, do is they feel something and then they say, ‘Oh, that’s stupid. Like, I don’t live in the United States. I don’t have anything to do with that.’ “I don’t need to feel that,” she said.

Parents can show that it’s okay to have those feelings by opening up a conversation, Browne said.

“So if you were to say to your child, ‘Hey, this is on the news all day,’ or ‘There’s so many people talking about it. What do you think?’ … being able to have a space where they can talk about that, that’s really important,” she said.

“If the adults in your life who care about you take your feelings and thoughts seriously, you’ll go a long way.”

If the election is a “tipping point” for young people already struggling with their mental health and parents are concerned, they can contact a health care provider or Kids Help Phone, Browne said.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 7, 2024.

Canadian Press’ healthcare coverage is supported through a partnership with the Canadian Medical Association. CP is solely responsible for this content.