When it seems like there’s negativity every time you turn on the news, or like there’s division in your community, you may experience a deep sense of fear, sadness or anger. For many people, it’s not just stressful. It’s personal.
If political unrest has resulted in, or contributed to, community violence, it can have a significant impact on your overall quality of life. The distress can disrupt your daily life, strain relationships with your friends and neighbors, and trigger real mental health symptoms. Even if you’re not directly involved, repeated exposure to tension, threats, discrimination or violence can affect how safe you feel in your own community.
Read on to learn about political unrest and community violence. We’ll discuss how they can affect both your community and your mental health. Then we’ll go over what signs to look for and how you can protect your well-being and support others.
Defining political unrest and community violence
Every community has its challenges, but heightened conflict and mistrust can come from political issues, leadership or policies. Referred to as political unrest, this dissatisfaction can take the form of:
- Protests
- Public demonstrations
- Threats
- Harassment
- Aggressive rhetoric
- Violence
Community violence is often defined as intentional acts of violence committed in public spaces by people who are not intimately related to the victim. This can include shootings, assaults or intimidation that impacts public safety and creates fear.
How community violence and political unrest impact communities
Where you live plays a significant role in your overall lifestyle, which is why the state of your community can feel personal. Community violence and political unrest can get in the way of a supportive environment.
Common community-wide impacts of violence and political unrest include:
- Increased tension between neighbors, families and groups
- Disruptions to school, work and community events
- Loss of trust in public spaces and institutions
- Increased discrimination, harassment or hate incidents
- More isolation and fewer social supports
- A growing sense of grief or hopelessness
Over time, this can weaken community connection, which is one of the strongest protective factors for mental health.
Mental health effects of political unrest and community violence
Political unrest and community violence are broad issues that can affect every individual differently. Some feel anger while others feel numbness. Many experience a mix of emotions that can change day to day. All of these emotional experiences are valid.
Depending on your own perspectives and experiences, you may have short- and long-term mental health effects of political unrest and community violence. The effects could be more intense for people who have experienced trauma before, including childhood trauma, discrimination or past violence.
Short-term mental health effects of political unrest and violence include:
- Heightened anxiety or panic symptoms
- Trouble sleeping or nightmares
- Irritability, anger or emotional outbursts
- Difficulty concentrating
- Hypervigilance (feeling “on edge” or easily startled)
- Physical symptoms like headaches or stomach pain
Long-term mental health effects are possible, especially if the unrest is persistent or worsening, including:
- Depression or loss of interest in daily life
- Chronic stress and burnout
- Post-traumatic stress symptoms
- Substance use as a coping strategy
- Increased conflict in relationships
- Feelings of helplessness or despair
You don’t have to be physically present at a violent event to be impacted by it. Seeing news coverage or heated conversations can cause distress. Repeated exposure to other people’s trauma can cause vicarious trauma. Secondary traumatic stress refers to indirect trauma exposure.
Signs political unrest may be affecting your mental health
Your mental health can be impacted by a complicated web of stressors, with political unrest likely being just one contributor. Here are signs that your community’s political unrest is a source of your negative thoughts, emotions and behaviors:
- You feel unsafe in places that used to feel normal
- You avoid leaving home or attending community events
- You have frequent intrusive thoughts about violence or conflict
- You feel emotionally numb or disconnected
- You’re more reactive, argumentative or irritable than usual
- You feel overwhelmed by sadness, fear or anger
- You feel hopeless about the future
If these symptoms are persistent, worsening, or interfere with your daily functioning, it may be time to talk with a mental health professional.
How to manage your mental health while supporting others
You can’t control the actions and opinions of others, but you can control how you take care of yourself during distressing times.
If political unrest is impacting your overall quality of life, here are a few coping strategies to help yourself:
- Limit exposure to news and social media
- Ground your body with breathing exercises, walking and stretching
- Maintain daily routines to provide stability when the world feels uncertain
- Stay connected with trusted people
- Choose restorative action, such as volunteering or attending community support events
- Seek a therapist to process fear, grief and trauma responses
You can support your community during difficult times without burning yourself out. Here are a few ways to do so:
- Check in with friends and neighbors, especially those who may feel unsafe
- Practice respectful communication, even during disagreement
- Share accurate information and avoid spreading rumors
- Attend community events focused on healing and support
- Know when to step back and recharge
Guidelight is here to help improve your mental health during political unrest
Political unrest and community violence can be emotionally, mentally and physically distressing. If you’re experiencing significant distress that’s impacting your overall quality of life, and you need intensive support beyond outpatient therapy, Guidelight has three levels of care that can help you take control of your mental health:
- Intensive Outpatient Program in English and Spanish (IOP)
- Virtual Intensive Outpatient Program (vIOP)
- Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)
Everyone has a seat at Guidelight. Contact our team online or call us today for more information about mental health challenges from political unrest or to schedule an admissions appointment. We provide treatment across the country — and we’re always expanding. See if we offer care in your state, either online or at one of our local clinics.