The number of crisis hotline callers surged after the election result was announced.
After Donald Trump had been appointed President-elect of the United States, the number of crisis hotline callers tripled. It seems like the radical opinions of Mr. Trump have created a general state of anxiety, people finding it difficult to cope with his election on their own.
Mental health professional discovered that in the week following Election Day, almost three times more individuals sought the help of suicidal hotlines. Doctors believe that the reason for this surge lies in the anxiety generated by the uncertainty of United States’ future.
This election season has been unprecedented. The candidates have entertained the public with scandals revolving their personal life more than they spent time explaining their policies. Moreover, when that happened, President-elect Donald Trump instilled fear into the hearts of Hispanic and Muslim immigrants.
Moreover, Mr. Trump has been openly accused of assaulting women, and he has made various sexist remarks, making women fear the repercussions of a Trump presidency. Both the African American and the LGBT communities also fear the implications of the election result, the Republican having known ties to white extremist groups.
However, mental health professionals believe that the election results were only a trigger for underlying mental health problems. Moreover, it is not surprising given the fact that the American Psychological Association found that 52 percent of Americans with a right to vote felt stressed by this election season.
A mental health professional working on the National Suicide Prevention Hotline, John Draper, declared that the majority of post-Election Day callers sought help because the election results triggered something that was bothering them for a while.
According to him, the callers stated that they made the call due to anxiety caused by the results of the elections, but they slowly revealed that the cause of their suicidal thoughts was more profound than the identity of the President-elect.
It seems like the majority of people who sought help from suicide prevention hotlines are part of vulnerable groups like individuals with a history of mental illness.
Experts are recommending people who experience suicidal thoughts to seek professional help. Moreover, they are advising those who feel cheated by the election result to engage in meaningful activities that can make them feel like they are contributing to societal growth.
Image source: Pixabay
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