When it comes to politics, I walk a fine line. Why?

What’s mine is mine, and what’s yours is yours.

And while politics and trauma and grief intersect, it’s not my job to tell you what to believe.

My job is to:

• Provide support in a variety of ways for people who are working through trauma, PTSD and grief symptoms
• Educate about trauma, PTSD and grief recovery
• Inspire others through my story as a trauma and grief survivor
• And if I’m lucky, entertain through stories of humor, healing, and hope

And more specifically, my job is to offer a safe, calm, regulated, and confidential environment as people do this work.

That Said, This Election Represents A Lot of Trauma for Many of Us

Those of us who have specific experiences are going to struggle in a more intense way with this election. Some of these experiences include:

• abusive and/or authoritarian parents / caregivers
• child abuse and neglect
• generational trauma
• chaotic and uncertain environments / family life / relationships
• sexual abuse / assault
• narcissistic relationships

If you are struggling with these election results, you might be experiencing:

• heightened PTSD / cPTSD symptoms
• greater anxiety
• deeper depression
• feeling powerless
• feeling hopeless
• grief symptoms – loss of or too much sleep, hard time concentrating, tough time motivating or executive functions, appetite loss, brain fog
• Less spoons for daily activities
• feeling like you don’t belong and that nobody understands

There is no arguing our way out of these symptoms.

Trauma and grief WILL get better with time and practicing building up a safe space within yourself.

Resources for Election Anxiety

One way to build a safe space within yourself is to practice skills, both new and old.

Simply put, this is a tough time. And like many tough times, we need to remember to practice skills to keep our heads about water.

So I have created a playlist on my Youtube channel for Getting Through Tough Times (there are also some mental health comedy videos on here). Check out my YouTube channel and subscribe so that you can get many more videos about specific skills that you can practice at any time that will help you through tough times of any kind. Because they will continue to happen.

Another way to get through this tricky time and the symptoms that are running wild is to book a few sessions – you can save a great deal with the current Election Special.

These sessions will provide you with much-needed support and guidance, as well as a chance to reconnect with yourself and gain new perspectives on the challenges you are facing, allowing for personal growth and emotional healing.

And finally, there are good election resources are listed here – please DO NOT HESITATE to reach out for help.

• Election anxiety Crisis Text Line – Text ELECTION to 741741 to reach a live volunteer crisis counselor.
• The Racial Equity Support Line is staffed by people with lived experience of racism and provides emotional support and resource referrals to those experiencing the impacts of racist violence, microaggressions, racial discrimination and cross-cultural issues. Call 503-575-3764, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• LGBTQ+ mental health resources
• The Trans Lifeline Hotline offers peer support in an anonymous and confidential environment. Call 877-565-8860, Monday – Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Phone lines may be open for longer hours during the post-election period as needed.
• If you experience or witness a hate crime in Oregon, you can call the Bias Response Hotline by calling 844-924-BIAS (2427) to receive support, help you understand your options and make choices about next steps. You can also report hate crimes directly to law enforcement here.
• The national nonpartisan group Braver Angels offers free online courses (each taking about 40 minutes to complete) to help people cope and communicate amid political divides in communities, on social media and within families. Additionally, Braver Angels Oregon is hosting free post-election events across the state in the coming weeks and months that are open to the public.

Election Anxiety? I Can Help You Work Through It

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Find out more about Trauma and Grief Recovery Coaching

I offer one-on-one sessions, groups, PTSD Remediation, and classes. Appointments are offered in-person and online.

Try Trauma Recovery and Grief Recovery Coaching for Free! Book a free 30-minute Discovery Call to find out more!