Facing election anxiety: how the Latino community can find support and stay resilient

During election season, people within the Hispanic/Latinx community can be especially impacted by the anxiety and stress that often comes with polarization and uncertainty. The current political landscape can affect the community in a variety of ways, including fears about the future, specific issues like immigration or limited access to voting stations or polling places, or even affecting family dynamics.

It's important to acknowledge how this might be impacting our friends, family and the broader community. For some, the stakes can feel incredibly high.

The Impact of Election Anxiety

Specific election topics can feel targeted or especially stressful for the LatinX community. Following the 2016 election, a study found that U.S. born adolescents experienced high levels of anxiety around U.S. immigration policies, along with the fear of deportation for themselves or their parents. The youth that participated in the study reported increased anxiety and poorer sleep quality in the first year after the election. Latino youth are also more likely to experience mental health issues compared to their peers, and these issues often go unaddressed and untreated, further underscoring the importance of finding support.

Navigating the Voting Process

The voting process during an election cycle can be stressful, especially when someone is unfamiliar with the process or comes up against barriers, which can take a toll on mental health. According to a report by the NALEO Education Fund, jurisdictions took significant steps in 2020 to make voting by mail more accessible by proactively sending both absentee ballots and applications to registered voters. Although the goal was to make the voting process easier, research shows that Latinos have used voting by mail at lower rates compared to non-Hispanic voters which may confuse them during the election process.

In addition, Latinos with limited or no internet access may struggle to register online, verify their registration status, learn how to vote absentee, and find their closest polling location. This may bring on feelings of frustration and helplessness for those seeking to make their voice heard especially if they do not know where to begin in the election process.

The Effect on Family Dynamics and Relationships

Election stress doesn't just affect individuals, it can also affect family dynamics and relationships, a key theme of politics-related conversations among our texters. This is something I've experienced first hand - during one of the previous elections, I had family members who had different opinions than mine, which made it difficult to communicate due to the tense environment these conversations created. I found that shifting discussions to other topics or setting boundaries around topics being discussed helped, but it could be difficult to be in big family settings where politics may be brought up, especially during the holidays right after the election.

Today's Hispanic youth are in a unique situation during the elections as many also bear the responsibility of helping their parents or family members navigate the election process such as translating or helping them find their polling location and beyond. This can add stress on top of other complex emotions that someone is already feeling.

How to Manage Election Stress & Anxiety

If you're feeling overwhelmed by the election, remember that while a lot of things are outside of your control, you can reduce stress by how you respond to friends and family and setting boundaries. Instead of focusing on what you agree or disagree on with family members, try discussing your feelings. This approach can help maintain relationships while reducing anxiety.

Some other tips for managing stress during the elections include:

Setting Boundaries for News Consumption: While staying informed is key, it's okay to set limits on the amount of news you consume daily. Establishing specific times to check the news can help you avoid being overwhelmed by information.

Unplugging from Social Media: Consider taking a break to clear your thoughts and reset your emotions. Limiting your screen time can also stop you from forming habits such as "doomscrolling," which is when we consume an excessive amount of negative news media.

Practicing Self-Care: Engaging in activities that bring you joy and relaxation can help alleviate and manage stress. Whether it's going on a walk, reading a book or spending time watching your favorite show, self-care can help you focus on your personal well-being.

Reaching out for Support: If you feel isolated because your family doesn't share the values and beliefs that you do, seek out friends that may be going through similar situations, or reach out to a trained counselor who can help you through your feelings.

Taking Action: If you are feeling anxious about the election outcome, you can explore opportunities to get involved in the community and encourage people to vote. Organizations like Voto Latino can be a great resource.

The author is the Global Strategy Director at Crisis Text Line