DDPHE Blog: Elections Mental Health Public Health

DDPHE Blog: Elections + Mental Health + Public Health

Published on November 04, 2024

With the 2024 election around the corner on Nov. 5 (are you registered to vote?!), it's only natural to wonder how the election affects mental health. During this time, it's important to remember to take care of your mental health if you're feeling stressed. Resources are available to support you during this time. And, bonus, participating in the election will help you improve your health. Read on to learn more!

Taking care of your mental health during elections

If you're feeling overwhelmed this election cycle, you're not alone! According to a recent study from the American Psychology Association, the future of our nation, the economy, and the presidential election are among the top stressors in. In fact, three in four Americans are stressed about the 2024 election. There are many resources available locally and nationally that offer supportive services that address mental and behavioral health. If you are in immediate danger, call 9-1-1. Resources include:

• Colorado Crisis Services offers support for people who are experiencing a mental or behavioral health crisis. Text "TALK" to 38255 or call 1-844-493-8255 This service is free, confidential, and available 24-hours a day, seven days a week.
• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available for those in crisis. Services can be accessed by calling or texting 988, or by chat at 988lifeline.org. 988 offers 24/7 access to trained crisis counselors who can help people experiencing mental health-related distress. That could be thoughts of suicide, mental health or substance use crises, emotional distress or any other reasons to connect.
• The Colorado Walk-In Crisis Center at 4353 E. Colfax Ave Denver, 80220 is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Licensed clinicians offer confidential, in-person support, information and referrals to anyone in need. They see children, adolescents, young adults, families and adults. Other locations are available in the Denver metro area in Aurora, Boulder, Littleton, and Wheat Ridge.
• The Crisis Text Line offers free 24/7 support through text, chat and WhatsApp. Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a volunteer crisis counselor.
• The Colorado Department of Human Services' Office of Behavioral Health's provider database can help you locate behavioral health treatment near you.
• Mental Health First Aid offers additional tips and resources for year-round well-being management and offers a skills-based training course that teaches participants about mental health and substance-use issues.

Leaning on friends and family, as well as exercising can help improve mental health. More tips for managing mental health are available on the DDPHE Healthy Insights blog. Learn more about DDPHE's work to improve mental and behavioral well-being in Denver at Denvergov.org/CommunityHealth.

Public health and elections

You may be wondering why DDPHE is talking about the election, something that doesn't seem, on the surface, to be related to public health. Research shows there are big connections between elections and public health! A study from RAND, a nonprofit nonpartisan group committed to public interest, explains "civic engagement can serve as a mechanism for translating changes in a health-related mindset and sense of community into tangible actions that could lead to new health-promoting partnerships, improvements in community health conditions, and the degree of integration among health services and systems for better health outcomes." In simpler terms, it means increases in physical and mental health, and well-being are related to increases in civic engagement activities, like voting. Yes, VOTING!

Additional research from the U.S. Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion shows voting is recognized as a public health priority. As of June 2023, voter participation was named as a "core objective" in the nation's health goals in Healthy People 2030.

The American Public Health Association (APHA) and the American Medical Association (AMA) have also released statements supporting the importance of voting. In its statement, the APHA said, "Progress on health disparities will be limited if public health neglects to fully address the political determinants of health, including civic and voter participation."

Denver voting resources

If you have questions about voter registration, need information on ballot the ballot booklets or have other Denver election-related questions, please visit Denver Elections Division website.

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