Wellness Exchange: Health Discussions
"2024 Election Anxiety: Is America Breaking Down?"
(upbeat music) - Welcome to Listen To This Is Ted. The news was published on Friday, October 25th. We have Eric and Kate with us today to talk about the mental health impacts of the upcoming 2024 presidential election. Recent polls show that more than 60% of Americans say the 2024 presidential election is damaging their mental health. What do you think are the primary reasons for this widespread anxiety? - Well, Ted, it's clear that the stakes have never felt higher for many people. This sense of urgency is getting to everyone, for example. 46% of Americans are feeling anxious, and that's almost half the population. I think it's because every election seems to present a more polarized choice than the last. - I disagree, Eric. It's not just about stakes being high, but about the erosion of trust in the electoral process itself. And don't forget, social media is amplifying this anxiety. When 66% of Gen Z and 64% of millennials are saying the election impacts their mental health, it's a broader issue about information overload. - But social media is only part of the problem. Political rhetoric has become increasingly fear-mongering. When you have 37% stressed out and 31% scared, it's about the messages being sent out by the candidates and yet 27% of people feel optimistic and 22% feel excitement about the election. It shows that not everyone is buying into the fear. Women, interestingly, are feeling more anxious than men. Perhaps this says something about societal pressures and expectations. - Many people feel that their productivity and social interactions are being negatively impacted by election anxiety. Why do you think that's happening now more than in previous elections? - Anxiety is manifesting in tangible ways, nearly 28% of participants say their work or school performance has been affected, the numbers are even higher for Gen Z and millennials. This isn't just emotional stress, it's affecting every aspect of people's lives. - But that's because the current political climate is all consuming. The fact that 53% of Gen Z and 42% of millennials report a performance drop should tell us that they're more involved and care deeply. It's not just that they are anxious. They are more engaged than-- - Or maybe they're just less equipped to handle stress. Baby boomers only report a 10% drop in performance. Experience teaches you not to sweat every election cycle too much. - That's too simplistic. Younger generations are more considerate of the societal impact of elections, which can be overwhelming but also necessary for the change. - How are people coping with this election anxiety? - People are definitely feeling the need to unplug. Around 44% are avoiding the news and 29% are staying off social media. I think this is a healthy response. There's only so much negativity one can take. - Interestingly, 60% of Gen Z are anxious about interacting with family over the holidays because of the election. This highlights how deeply personal and divisive politics has become. The coping strategies are just symptoms of a-- - But avoiding the issue isn't solving it. People should be engaging more constructively rather than just stepping away. Dialogue can ease anxiety too. - Maybe. But if the conversation itself is what's driving the anxiety, stepping back might be the only option for some. Clearly, 35% talking with family and friends is seen as a coping means because these are people-- - What historical event do you think closely resembles the anxiety we are facing today with the 2024 election and why? - I'd say the 1968 presidential election. The country was deeply divided over issues like civil rights in the Vietnam War. People were scared, anxious, just like now. Nearly 60% of Americans saying they feel anxious today is akin to the fear and uncertainty people felt back then. - Yes, but there's a difference. In 1968, the media was nowhere as pervasive as social media is today. Comparatively, now we have 40% of people feeling overwhelmed by news publications and social media platforms. - True. But the intensity of the division is strikingly similar. People were genuinely worried about the future just as they are now. There were protests, riots. America felt like it was at a breaking point. - And don't forget Watergate in the early '70s. People's trust in the government was shattered. A similar erosion of trust is happening now, especially when 40% believe social media harms the Democratic Party. - Why do you think social media plays such a heavy role compared to traditional news outlets from the past? - Because social media platforms are not just news outlets. They are echo chambers. Engagement algorithms can worsen feelings of anxiety, leading to 26% reducing social media usage and 6% quitting it entirely. - And unlike the past, social media allows misinformation to spread rapidly. It's no wonder people feel overwhelmed by platforms like YouTube and TikTok, but it's also a tool for engagement as 45% of Gen Z and 36% of millennials believe these platforms help-- - Yet the feeling of being overwhelmed is making people anxious to meet family and friends. Nearly 44% report anxiety about spending time with loved ones during the holidays due to political stress. This kind of personal conflict wasn't as rampant in earlier eras. - It's reminiscent of the generational conflicts during the Vietnam era where families were divided, but this feels more pervasive. - Because now it's not just one major issue. It's everything from climate change to healthcare. That's why this election is so impactful. It's a cocktail of existential crisis. - Do you think the collective anxiety today could have a lasting societal impact as the crises of '68 and '72 did? - Absolutely. The anxiety and stress are leading to decreased productivity and mental strains that can have long-term effects. It's critical to address these issues just as the problems of past election cycles were tackled to make a healthier future. - I think it's even more significant now. Given the role of social media and the speed of information dissemination. If not addressed, this collective anxiety could define an entire generation's relationship with politics. - Let's discuss two distinct ways this situation might unfold. What's one path forward? - One way is that people might become more disengaged. If anxiety continues to rise, many might turn away from politics altogether. For instance, 44% are avoiding the news and 26% are reducing social media usage. This could lead to lower voter turnout and a less informed electorate. - That's a possibility. But I think we might see an opposite trend where people become even more engaged to combat the anxiety. More people might use their stress as motivation to get involved. We already see 35% talking with friends and family to cope. This engagement could lead to more grassroots movements and political activism. But disengagement can lead to a democracy crisis. If people are too anxious to participate, it affects the whole system. It's worrying when 53% of Gen Z feels their productivity is impacted, their drop in performance shows how overwhelming this election feels. - Yet increased engagement means the democratic process will be more vibrant. People caring deeply about issues can bring about significant change. The younger generations feeling a drop in performance is a sign that they are deeply invested, which could translate into higher activism and voter turnout. - What could be the potential social impacts in each of these scenarios? - If people disengage, social fragmentation could worsen. Families and communities might find it harder to communicate across political lines leading to social isolation. Nearly 44% feeling anxious about holiday gatherings is a clear indicator of this risk. - But if people become more engaged, we could see stronger community bonds forming through activism and shared goals. The 22% feeling excitement and the 27% optimism show there is hope for positive engagement leading to social unity. - Yet engagement could also increase tensions, if not managed well, more involvement means more debates, and with the current polarized atmosphere, it could lead to more conflicts. - It's about channeling that energy positively. If people feel their actions can make a difference, it can mitigate anxiety. - The 29% staying off social media now could return once they feel more empowered. - How do you think mental health will be impacted in these differing future scenarios? - Disengagement might bring short-term relief, but long-term issues. Avoiding politics doesn't address the underlying problems. It's like the 44% avoiding the news. It's a temporary solution, but not a fix. - Increased engagement, if positive, could improve mental health providing a sense of purpose. The act of participating could alleviate anxiety, much like how addressing these feelings helped many during past crises. - Ultimately, it's about finding balance. People need to stay informed without becoming overwhelmed, whether it's through responsible news consumption or taking breaks when necessary. Mental health needs to be a priority moving forward. - Agreed, the crux is that action begets hope. If people believe they can make a difference, it could change the narrative from one of anxiety to one of empowerment. - Let's just hope it doesn't tilt too far either way. Too much disengagement or hyper engagement can both be detrimental. - And that's why conversations like these are essential for finding-- - Thank you both for this enlightening discussion. That's it for today's roundtable. Stay tuned for more updates on Listen2.