According to national surveys conducted in 2017 and 2020 by Kevin B. Smith, Professor of political science at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, 40% of U.S. adults cited politics as a major stressor, with 1 in 20 reporting suicidal thoughts linked to recent political events. 

“If a new vaping product or soft drink hits the market and 1 in 20 consumers report suicidal thoughts, public outrage would be swift. Investigations would follow, regulations would tighten, and headlines would be flooded with concern for public health. But when political stress yields similar numbers, the reaction is far more muted. Because politics doesn’t seem to register the same way” says Smith. 

“We don’t know if it’s causal,” Smith warns, “but the alarming correlation between political stress and suicidal ideation is concerning.” He emphasizes the need for further studies to fully grasp the impact of political stress on well-being. 

The American Psychological Association’s 2024 Stress in America survey revealed that 77% of Americans reported the nation’s future as a significant source of stress, with 56% fearing that the recent election could mark the end of democracy itself. 

What is the true cost of political stress on our mental health, and how can we protect ourselves from its toll?

Smith describes politics as a pervasive and largely unavoidable source of chronic stress. Unlike workplace or family stress, which offers moments of respite, political stress is relentless–especially fuelled by social media and 24/7 news cycles. 

Psychologist Brett Ford, an Associate Professor at the University of Toronto, explains, “Politics as a stressor is uniquely multi-dimensional, partly due to the wide range of emotions it triggers–from worry and sadness to outrage and frustration.” She notes that political events can have both short- and long-term effects, often leading to conflict between groups with real social consequences.

Chronic stress has well-documented effects on health, contributing to issues like anxiety, aches and pains, emotional fatigue, and sleep disturbances. Emerging evidence suggests political stress may carry similar, if not graver consequences. Ford’s recent study shows that people who tend to feel more negative emotions in response to daily political events have poorer mental health. “On days when people feel even more negative about politics than they usually do, their mental health is noticeably worse,” she adds. It’s a vicious cycle–the more distressed we feel about politics, the more our overall well-being deteriorates. 

This is particularly relevant in today’s climate of accelerating political polarization, where increasing numbers are leaning toward the extremes of the liberal/conservative spectrum. Moreover, this isn’t just an issue in the United States. Research reveals that polarization has become a global crisis, dividing societies not only in developed nations like Germany, France, and Canada, but also in other developing countries such as Thailand, South Africa, and the Philippines.

As political rifts widen, affective polarization, the tendency to view those with opposing political views with deep-seated animosity and emotional dislike, becomes more pronounced. Political disagreements start to feel like personal attacks. Research shows those who view politics through a highly polarized lens are at higher risk of developing anxiety and depression symptoms. And young people, politically engaged individuals, or those on the political left tend to experience higher levels of political anxiety than others.

These emotional triggers from politics are further amplified by social media algorithms, where divisive content spreads with remarkable speed. Polarized content results in more clicks and increases traction. More views translate to greater incentives, prompting more individuals to post inflammatory content. Meanwhile, platforms do little to curb harmful content, despite its real-world consequences.

Yet, disengagement isn’t necessarily the answer to our problems. Tuning out from politics may seem like a tempting escape, but Smith warns that widespread disengagement could have dire consequences for democracy itself. At the same time, Ford highlights a paradox: “Those who feel the most distressed about politics are often the most motivated to take action–whether by donating, volunteering, or contacting representatives.” Coping strategies that ease political stress may protect mental health but may also unintentionally dampen political engagement.

So how do we stay informed and engaged without being overwhelmed? Ford recommends accepting emotions rather than pushing them away. There is evidence that experiencing positive social emotions in the face of politically charged stress–like admiration, compassion, or inspiration–can protect emotional well-being while promoting greater engagement in political action, with some research suggesting that forming supportive social ties may act as a potential buffer against stress. But at present, there are no easy solutions.  

Japneet Kaur, Contributing Writer

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