In the days prior to the 2020 presidential election, Winthrop University students, faculty and staff have experienced heightened levels of stress and anxiety.
“I haven’t been sleeping well and have been going to bed anxious and waking up anxious as well. I have been having dreams regarding the election and it’s honestly been stressful. I finally [got] tired of it and started going for a run,” said Susana Atuncar, a junior international business and Spanish major.
It is no wonder this year’s presidential election has had a negative impact on many people’s mental health, being that it is a high-stakes election involving social justice, a deadly pandemic, economic endeavors, healthcare and environmental issues.
“If we ourselves aren’t directly impacted, most of us know someone who is impacted by COVID, economic factors, social justice issues, and the like. It’s as though we’re in a constant state of low-grade trauma. This state can lead to physical (poor sleep, altered appetite, low energy), emotional (sadness, anxiety, anger) and cognitive (trouble focusing, distractible, low motivation) difficulties. We must tend to our overall wellness if we are to make it through this tough time,” said Gretchen Baldwin, clinical coordinator for Winthrop’s counseling services.
The stress and anxiety caused by the election and events prior has taken a toll on both the emotional and physical health of the Winthrop population. Those who are experiencing this are encouraged to seek counseling.
In an email sent to the student body on Nov. 2, Katarina D. Moyon, director of the John C. West Forum on Politics and Policy, wrote, “If you are feeling highly stressed with these elections, please remember that resources are available at Counselling Services. You can go to the patient portal (https://patient-winthrop.medicatconnect.com/) to schedule a same-day appointment, or if you are experiencing [an] acute crisis, you can call 803-323-2206 to speak with a counsellor.”
While some stress and anxiety may have been alleviated because of the outcome of the election, it is likely that many in the Winthrop community are still battling with poor mental health regardless of whether they see the outcome of
the election as a victory or not. This can have a lasting impact on one’s personal life and academic performance.
“It is possible that the stress students are experiencing from the election will have an impact on their academic performance. It depends on individual students and how much the election intrudes into their lives,” Moyon said. “People will likely have a harder time focusing on their work, especially if they are emotionally invested in the election. It may be a good idea to limit the amount of time you spend on newsfeeds and social media feeds if you are feeling particularly stressed.”
In an effort to ease the political tension on campus, both Moyon and “ZaDonna Slay, social work instructor, are working on a post-election panel discussion for Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 6:30 p.m. They will be joined by Sarah Hopkins also of social work and Brandon Ranallo-Benavidez of the political science department. The event will cover what we know about the election results to date, how the results may be impacting various constituencies, and positive strategies for navigating the post-election climate,” said Winthrop’s Interim President George Hynd in an email to the student body on Nov. 4.
For those recovering from pre-election mental health issues as well as for those battling post-election mental health issues, the Office of Diversity and Student engagement is hosting virtual group discussions on an as-needed basis and Counseling Services will continue.
Photo by Jamia Johnson
