Today is Veteran’s Day; Tuesday was Election Day. It is a patriotic week. It is a week to celebrate the varied ways people serve this country. How does patriotic experience intersect with mental health?

Much has been said and written regarding the mental health of veterans returning from combat. Combat takes a heavy toll on veterans as well as their loved ones. If you are a veteran or a loved one who is struggling, you can reach out here (https://www.va.gov/ve/myva411.asp) for help. Please do not hesitate.

Mental health and global citizenship intersect in other ways, too–stressors from reading and watching news, personal experiences of systemic oppression, even the reactions of friends and family members. It seems that even those who “don’t want to get involved” in politics or world events, find themselves affected by both. The political finds its way into the personal.

What are ways of handling such stressors?

–Involvement. Voting, helping with campaigns, even writing essays for publication, can give a sense of empowerment.

–Support. Choosing organizations to donate money to is another way of making your voice heard.

–Art. Creating music, visual art, and performance are powerful ways of expressing ideas. Share your creations with others.

–Nature. If you have ever paid attention to the natural landscape while traveling on a long journey, you may have noticed the changes, perhaps from mountains to desert to plains. Contemplate how the natural surroundings affect people now and historically. This can give a broader view when feeling “stuck” in current events.

–Open your mind. View artistic creations made by people who are culturally different from you. This group (https://theaterofwar.com/), for example, creates performances of ancient texts with people who are struggling due to political, social, or environmental situations.

–Run. Or walk. Many communities have frequent 5k runs/walks that raise money and awareness for different social concerns.

–Listen. When speaking with someone who has a different political or cultural experience, try to listen more than you speak. Listen deeply for the concerns under the words. This can deepen understanding and connection.

–Limit. Set boundaries. Protect your mental and emotional space. Limit the amount of news and difficult conversations you have. Awareness is important. So is keeping yourself emotionally safe. Only when you have energy can you have empathy. When we are too drained, apathy rises.

What other ways have you found to handle the anxieties created by social, cultural, and political stressors?