Donald Trump and Mental Health

Now, I was refusing to wade in on politics before people went to the polling stations, since I'm from the UK and I don't want to sound like I'm pushing a particular view. Although, I doubt my opinion would have counted for much.

Anyway, let's talk Trump. Now that America have him as a President what will it mean for mental health? For me, not a lot I'm a tourist if I'm there and all it means is more anxiety at Border Control (and that was stressful enough when I went in May this year). For Americans, it's a different story.

A report published by Market Watch, has certainly shown how much Trump/Pence have made people's mental health worse. Several Crisis and Suicide hotlines have seen significant increases in the number of calls they're recieving since as early as last Tuesday. This is being put down to people becoming increasingly concerned about how their rights will be affected under Trump's government.

This concern seems especially prevalant among the LGBT community, since Trump has been promising to overturn marriage equality laws in the states and Mike Pence has been called "one of the most anti-gay governors in the nation". Sexual Assault hotlines have also seen around a 33% rise in calls since a tape with Trump bragging about sexually assaulting a woman, surfaced in October.

These may be extreme examples but many people have also been speaking of their increased stress and anxiety since the election. People are worried about their futures under this new, and extreme, government. Post election depression always happens a little, the losing side is always dissapointed and a little deflated, it's understandable.

However, this level of anxiety isn't normal. This is genuine fear for what may become of the country. Calls by people in America hoping to make appointments with doctors and therapists has also risen exponentially since Wednesday.


But how will the Trump/Pence administration affect access to healthcare? Another reason for people rushing to their therapists now is because of one of Trump's key election proposals. To repeal the Affordable Care Act. Now, being from the UK, I don't understand why people would be against Obamacare. Why would people not want free healthcare for all? We have it here, it works fine, has been for around a century. I mean it would be better with more money obviously, but it gives everybody equal access to staying alive for longer. But apparently, Trump and the Republican voters hate the idea of funding healthcare. Trump's campaign threatened both Obamacare and Medicaid. These are both vital services to helping the disabled and supporting mental health in low-income citizens. Also, by repealing the Affordable Care Act, Trump is effectively rolling back civil rights for disabled people. We will go back to an America that is allowed to discriminate against people with pre-existing medical conditions.

I think the most shocking thing about all of this isn't that these plans exist, but that he actually believes that this is the right things to do, that anyone believes this is the right thing to do. Politicians say a lot of things to win votes, we all know that, we have to take everything they say with a bit of a pinch of salt but Trump and his supporters actually believe that autism is caused by vaccines and that people with mental health conditions all have the ability to start a mass shooting. Personally, I've never walked into my university and thought that I wanted to shoot everyone because I'm a "mentally ill sicko". I'm Obsessive Compulsive, I'd spend so long cleaning up that it wouldn't be worth it!

But in all seriousness, it's terrifying that he would rather lock up people with mental health conditions "just in case" than sanction gun control and reform that would insure safety from the occasional person who may be mentally ill that takes a gun to a school. Trump thinks that mental illness predicts violence and crime! Trump's views on mental health are outdated, uninformed and just plain ignorant. He said in an interview in October, that war veterans who suffer from mental health issues aren't "strong" and "just can't handle it". I mean really, who says things like that?

This is the only section of Trump's campaign website to mention mental healthcare:
 "Finally, we need to reform our mental health programs and institutions in this country. Families, without the ability to get the information needed to help those who are ailing, are too often not given the tools to help their loved ones. There are promising reforms being developed in Congress that should receive bi-partisan support"
To me that just sounds like wanting to shift mental healthcare from healthcare professionals and onto friends and family. I mean, sure you should have support from the people around you, but it shouldn't be at the expense of having professional help as well.

I don't know how all of this will end, but soon-to-be President Trump, seems to have some scary views. All I can say to any Americans reading is, if you are experiencing anxiety or issues since the election seek help from everywhere possible, including on here and on forums, we're all here for you!

Also, don't be afraid to start reversing the immigration issues by escaping into Mexico! Quick, before the wall goes up!