After the Ballots: Protecting Your Mental Health in the Wake of the 2024 Election

After the Ballots: Protecting Your Mental Health in the Wake of the 2024 Election
By, Shawna Turner

The Election Is Over—But the Stress Isn’tIt’s been just over a week since the 2024 election—and for many Americans, the emotional dust has not yet settled.
Whether your candidate won or lost, whether you’re feeling vindicated or defeated, one thing is certain: this election season has taken a toll on our collective mental health.
The tension leading up to the vote was relentless. And now, even with results in, the air still feels heavy. Conversations are sharp. Friendships feel strained. The headlines haven’t calmed down. And if you're feeling anxious, exhausted, or even hopeless—you are not alone.
This moment calls for more than analysis and punditry. It calls for a reckoning with our mental well-being.

The Emotional Fallout of a Divided NationThe 2024 election didn’t just highlight policy differences—it exposed deep ideological rifts in American society. It’s not just about red vs. blue anymore. It's about identity, values, and vision for the future.
This division has left many people feeling:

• Disconnected from neighbors and family,
  
• Uncertain about the direction of the country,
  
• Fearful about their rights or safety,
  
• Disillusioned with the system entirely.
  

And these aren’t just fleeting emotions—they’re mental health concerns that can linger if unaddressed.

If You’re Feeling…😔 Defeated or HopelessIf the outcome didn’t go the way you hoped, it’s normal to feel let down or even scared. You may be mourning what you believed this election could bring. That sense of loss is real—and it deserves compassion.
Let yourself grieve. But also remember: elections do not define your worth, your purpose, or your ability to impact change.
😤 Angry or AnxiousEven if your side “won,” you might still feel on edge—worried about backlash, resistance, or future consequences. Political “victory” rarely brings peace when the country is still emotionally at war.
Anger and vigilance are natural—but staying in fight-or-flight mode too long can damage your well-being. Pause. Breathe. Refocus.
😶 Numb or DisengagedFor some, the whole process has just been too much. And now that it’s over, you feel emotionally checked out.
That numbness is a survival response. It means your nervous system is trying to shield you from overwhelm. But healing doesn’t happen in disconnection—it happens in safe, supported spaces. Don’t stay isolated.

Mental Health Is Bigger Than Party LinesHere’s the truth: mental health doesn’t belong to one political party.

• Conservatives are struggling with burnout, fear of losing traditional values, and economic anxiety.
  
• Progressives are grappling with systemic injustice, climate worry, and rights-based trauma.
  
• Independents and moderates often feel trapped in the middle, misunderstood by both sides.
  

But none of us are immune to despair when hope feels fragile and division runs deep.
We must begin to see that empathy is not partisan. Self-care is not weakness. And checking in on your mental health is not a luxury—it’s a necessity.

Staying Sane in the Aftermath: Practical ToolsHere’s how to care for your mental and emotional well-being in the post-election haze:
✅ Limit Exposure to News and CommentaryGive yourself permission to unplug. 24/7 coverage won’t soothe your soul—it will just keep adrenaline high. Choose intentional moments to check in, then log out.
✅ Ground Yourself in What’s Still TrueNo matter who is in office:

• You can still be kind.
  
• You can still volunteer or donate.
  
• You can still raise your children with values.
  
• You can still plant beauty in the world around you.
  

The White House may change—but your purpose doesn’t have to.
✅ Reconnect With People, Not PoliticsHave a cup of coffee with someone you disagree with—without debate. Choose shared humanity over ideological arguments. It’s possible to hold strong convictions and still value connection.
✅ Engage in Local GoodNational politics may feel untouchable, but your community is within reach. Attend a town hall, support a local nonprofit, tutor a student, visit an elderly neighbor. Real change starts locally.
✅ Talk to a Counselor or Mental Health ProfessionalIf the election aftermath is triggering symptoms of depression, anxiety, panic, or hopelessness, seek professional help. Therapy is not just for crisis—it’s for clarity, healing, and resilience.

If You’re Feeling Like Giving Up on the System…You’re not alone. Many feel like their vote didn’t matter, or that their concerns are never truly heard. But progress is rarely instant. And change rarely comes from the top-down alone.
Democracy is not a once-every-four-years sprint—it’s a daily, shared responsibility.
Let your disillusionment lead to deeper engagement—not retreat.
You can advocate for reform while still believing in the power of community. You can be critical of policies while still believing in the promise of democracy. You can be exhausted and still keep showing up.

Hold Onto Hope—TogetherThe election may be over, but the emotional work has just begun.
Let’s refuse to let politics make enemies of neighbors. Let’s refuse to let anger make us bitter, or fear make us numb.
Let’s choose sanity over rage. Let’s choose curiosity over contempt. Let’s choose hope—not because it’s easy, but because it’s how we stay human.
No matter what happened on Election Day, you still matter.
Your voice matters.
Your peace of mind matters.
And your mental health is worth protecting.
We will not heal as a nation through policy alone.
We will heal through presence, patience, empathy, and truth--one mind, one conversation, one heart at a time.