AnonymousSource: Santa Barbara County Department of Behavioral Wellness
The Behavioral Wellness led Community Wellness Team is offering support for the community surrounding election stress. There are plenty of reasons that make feeling anxious pretty normal right now. Living life in a pandemic has changed our lives and routines in every way imaginable, impacted finances, school and more. This is truly a year unlike no other. However, the addition of stress surrounding the presidential election and state of our nation can now be added to the list.
Earlier this year, the American Psychological Association conducted a “Stress in America” survey in which they found more than half (about 56%) of the people who responded, identifying the 2020 election as a significant stressor. In the end of June, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported that the highest rising levels of anxiety were among young adults, as well as people of color of all ages. The prevalence of anxiety symptoms among all populations was 3 times higher than the corresponding period in 2019.
The Department of Behavioral Wellness, who serves as the lead for the Community Wellness Team will be sponsoring opportunities to connect and combat the stress so many will be experiencing during and post the upcoming election.
Let’s Talk: The Community can connect with a Behavioral Wellness Community Wellness Team member before and after the election for brief one-on-one confidential conversations. The Community Wellness Team can be reached by calling 805-364-2750.
Post-Election: The Behavioral Wellness Community Wellness Team will host virtual listening and support spaces after the election. These will occur November 3 – 6 from 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM. Community interested in joining may get zoom links as well as additional resource information on “Post Election Stress” on the Behavioral Wellness website here or https://www.countyofsb.org/behavioral-wellness/communitydisaster.sbc
Resource Support for Organizations: Guidance on facilitating dialogues and other resource support is available for community organizations.
Mental Health Tips: Here are some tips you can start doing right away to improve your mental health around the election:
- Stay informed with reliable information and take a break from information when you need to.
- Stay socially connected. Connect with supportive family and friends. Look for productive opportunities to communicate with people even when there may be disagreement.
- Set boundaries.
- Practice mindfulness strategies for self-care.
- Break the habit of ruminating on bad outcomes. Uncertainty is everywhere right now and can be a large contributor to stress.
- Focus on what you can control.
- Engage in meaningful activities.
- Stay physically active.
To learn more about Santa Barbara County Department of Behavioral Wellness please visit http://countyofsb.org/behavioral-wellness. For assistance with accessing Santa Barbara County Behavioral Wellness services call the 24/7 toll free Crisis Response and Services Access Line at (888) 868-1649
Thank you for this. One of my best friends had broken heart syndrome after the last election and it was very serious, to the point that she was hospitalized for several days. I pray that won’t occur again. Here is what can happen with this syndrome:
What are the symptoms of broken heart syndrome?
Angina (sudden, severe chest pain)
Shortness of breath
Arrhythmia (irregular beating of the heart)
Cardiogenic shock (an inability of the heart to pump enough blood to meet the body’s demands)
Fainting.
Low blood pressure.
Heart failure
Take care of yourselves!
You’ve got to be kidding !
If you would like to read more about this syndrome, here is the link to the article in the Marin Independent Journal:
https://www.marinij.com/2016/12/16/marin-voice-a-cardiologists-view-of-the-election-and-broken-heart-syndrome/
If you’re not stressed out by the chance of fascist dictatorship, you aren’t conscious.
I’m assuming you mean Harris.
You live in a fantasy world if you actually believe that nonsense. The republicans are all about voter suppression, boycotts, and ultranationalism. Maybe you should look up those definitions, too.
If you don’t see that the Party of Trump is acting in facist ways, I hope one of us moves to a state where they will be more welcome. Since CA is deep blue, I will stay here.
? anonymous poster at 3:01.Boycotts = cancel culture = what the left has been doing the past 4+ years. Who called to boycott Goya Foods, who boycotted the vote for a supreme court justice? those are just off the top of my head, here’s more: __ https://www.investingadvicewatchdog.com/Liberal-Companies-Boycott.html __
This is a panic attack. Why doll it up with such a silly title? It happens to people conflicted about a situation with the knowledge that they cannot do anything. The body runs with its brakes on, so to speak.
Engage in meaningful activities…
My favorite Suggestion.
Apart from Lawyer speak, it was a decent message, at least the mental health profession is looking to get rich on the election!