Political Depression: How World Events Impact Mental Health & What To Do About It

The Weight of the World: Political Distress and the Rise in Therapy Demand

The relentless churn of political events, particularly in the United States, is increasingly showing up in therapy offices. A growing number of people are seeking mental health support not for personal struggles alone, but for distress directly linked to the political climate. This phenomenon, sometimes termed “political depression,” isn’t a formal diagnosis, but a recognized response to ongoing societal upheaval and a sense of instability. The feeling, as one music professor in Utah described it, is that “this is just all upside down.”

Rebecca McFaul, a professor at Utah State University and violinist with the Fry Street Quartet, found herself grappling with a sense of “terror and horror” as she followed news events from her home in Logan, Utah. The recent detainment of 5-year-old Liam Ramos in Minneapolis, and the reaction to it from some political figures, proved to be a breaking point. The case, and the responses it provoked, felt like a “betrayal on every level,” McFaul said.

Defining Political Depression

Ann Cvetkovich, a queer scholar and writer, frames this experience as “political depression” – a state characterized by the awareness of a world falling apart coupled with a feeling that traditional avenues for political change are ineffective. This differs from clinical depression in its origin; it stems not from internal imbalances, but from external forces – the perceived violence, injustice, or collapse of the world around us. Cvetkovich detailed this concept in her 2012 book, Depression: A Public Feeling.

The impact is measurable. A 2024 LifeStance Health survey revealed that two-thirds of respondents discuss politics or elections with their therapists. Demand for mental health appointments surged after the 2024 election, with platforms like Zocdoc and Spring Health reporting significant increases in both appointments scheduled and latest member sign-ups, as reported by Forbes. Some therapists are even specializing in addressing political anxieties, and universities are offering “coping spaces” with resources like counseling and stress-reducing activities.

The Physical and Mental Toll of Political Stress

The effects of political stress extend beyond emotional distress. A study tracking health impacts between 2017 and 2020, led by political scientist Kevin Smith, found links between political stress and serious fatigue, sleep loss, anger, compulsive behaviors, and even suicidal ideation. Young, left-leaning, and politically engaged individuals were disproportionately affected. The study is available via the National Center for Biotechnology Information.

Brett Ford, an associate professor of psychology at the University of Toronto, describes politics as a form of chronic stress. “Chronic stressors are large-scale, they don’t have clear endpoints, they experience out of your hands, and they reliably evoke negative emotions,” she explains. While disconnecting from the news can provide temporary relief, Ford cautions that it can as well diminish motivation to engage in positive change.

Finding a Balance: Engagement and Wellbeing

Ford emphasizes the importance of finding strategies that protect mental health without fostering disengagement. “We demand people to be OK in terms of their mental health, and we also need them to be engaged,” she says. Negative emotions, surprisingly, can be a powerful motivator for political action. Volunteering, donating, and protesting are often fueled by emotions like compassion and a desire for justice, which in turn can foster a sense of agency and alignment with one’s values.

The key, Ford suggests, is to allow those emotions to exist and channel them into constructive action, connecting with communities and seeking ways to feel empowered.

Therapy Adapts to a Political Reality

Increasingly, therapists are finding that political factors are central to their clients’ struggles, whether explicitly stated or not. Shahem Mclaurin, a licensed clinical social worker in New York, emphasizes that individuals don’t exist in a vacuum. “When they arrive to you about, say, anxiety, it’s not just them experiencing anxiety alone. They’re experiencing that anxiety within a system,” he says.

Mclaurin, a former youth organizer, integrates political awareness into his practice. He validates his clients’ feelings, acknowledges his own frustrations, and avoids presenting a detached, clinical facade. He might support a client understand how systemic racism contributes to unemployment or connect a low-income client with affordable housing resources. He even uses social media to address common questions and concerns.

Mclaurin’s approach centers on fostering what he calls “the choice of hope” – reminding people of their capacity for change and the importance of community. “One person standing outside worrying about a topic is just a person yelling,” he says. “But when it’s a group of people, it’s a protest.”

Community and Creativity as Coping Mechanisms

Cvetkovich herself has long advocated for community-based responses to political distress. She has organized events like the International Day of the Politically Depressed, encouraging people to connect with others who share their feelings of disillusionment. The goal is to create space for shared reckoning and mutual support.

Rebecca McFaul and her husband, Rob Davies, have found a similar outlet through their collaborative project, the Crossroads Project. This performance blends science, art, and music to explore global sustainability and inspire action. After their first performance, a student expressed gratitude that a professor had finally acknowledged the anxieties of the time.

McFaul and Davies believe that honesty is crucial. Mclaurin echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of validation and shared humanity in the therapeutic process.

Looking Ahead: Navigating Ongoing Political Stress

The current landscape suggests that political distress is likely to remain a significant factor in mental health for the foreseeable future. There isn’t a single solution, but a growing recognition of the problem is prompting therapists to adapt their approaches and individuals to seek support. The emphasis is shifting towards acknowledging the validity of these feelings, finding healthy ways to cope, and channeling that energy into constructive engagement. For those struggling with political distress, connecting with community, prioritizing self-care, and seeking professional support are all valuable steps.