On Election Year Stress: Is American Politics Hurting Our Mental Health?

Today's special episode of Back to Health comes from On the Mind, the official podcast from the Weill Cornell Medicine Department of Psychiatry.

In this special election year episode, host Dr. Daniel Knoepflmacher engages with Dr. Richard Friedman to explore the psychological toll of contemporary American politics. They discuss how polarization, uncertainty, and political violence contribute to rising levels of stress, anxiety, and depression across different segments of society. Dr. Friedman explains how to differentiate between normal emotional responses to the electoral process and clinically significant mental health issues. He also shares practical tips for managing stress during the election season and offers interpersonal strategies for bridging the political divide. Tune in for a timely conversation that addresses the intersection of mental health and politics.

To listen to On the Mind

To learn more about Dr. Richard Alan Friedman

To learn more about Dr. Daniel Knoepflmacher