There is great concern surrounding election day; Learn how Colorado mental health professionals are helping

An October 22 American Psychological Association survey found that 69% of Americans surveyed said the 2024 election would be a significant pressure on their lives. That’s up 17% from 52% in 2016. With many issues impacting Americans’ lives at stake, the discussion about preserving mental health has become a huge one nationally and statewide in Colorado.

Jaylin Goodloe, a licensed marriage and family therapist and director of mental health services at The Center on Colfax, is ready for a busy week.

“We have definitely had an influx of services over the last two months as the election has caused concerns among people,” she said.

The Denver LGBTQ Center’s mental health unit has been around for just over a year, but it has seen its fair share of election-related anxiety.

“The biggest concern, of course, is marriage rights and what will happen with everything to do with our community, because we don’t know what will happen,” Goodloe added.

That need for mental health care around Election Day increased from 2016 to 2020 and could peak in 2024. Previous studies with the National Suicide and Crisis Hotline and the Crisis Help Line have shown a notable increase in calls on Election Day. the time afterwards.

“I think we’ve seen politics change and become in every way a personally identifiable thing,” said Leanne Rupp, a licensed clinical social worker and executive director of the Colorado chapter of the National Association of Social Workers.

“What we are seeing and hearing is certainly an anecdotal increase in stress and anxiety levels among current clients and also among people seeking services and support for the first time,” she said.

Many of the coping strategies include unplugging, practicing mindfulness, and grounding exercises. But one of the problems within the LGBTQ and other communities is the idea that disconnection is impossible. Goodloe and Rupp told CBS Colorado it’s an understandable dilemma, but unplugging doesn’t have to mean removing yourself from the world’s problems.

“There’s definitely a difference between staying on top of things and putting pressure on yourself or being hyper fixated on something,” Goodloe said.

“It’s about that balancing act. Trying to figure out what you’re going to do day by day… minute by minute,” Rupp added.

Both the Crisis Help Line and The Center on Colfax have guides for managing stress and anxiety, as well as events to help people struggling with stress on Election Day and beyond.