Navigating Collective Grief

The past week has been historic, and reactions are intense; in particular, many people are experiencing high levels of distress. As mental health professionals, we must be ready to support our patients through this challenging time, regardless of our perspectives or the pleasure or pain we experienced this week.

Our training in grief work can guide us—many unique factors affect post-election grief. This grief is not just personal or limited to individual losses—it’s collective, occurring on a large scale across the U.S. and globally, both privately and publicly. Emotions are contagious, and unlike personal losses, this type of grief is often amplified by social and mainstream media, creating a shared emotional experience that can feel overwhelming.

The results were dramatic and unexpected for many and struck a deep chord of disappointment and disillusionment for some of those. We may find that approximately half of our patients are struggling with this outcome, though the impact varies greatly depending on where we practice and the communities we serve. We should be prepared for a wide range of reactions, remaining open-minded and nonjudgmental, especially when a patient’s views differ from our own.

Many of us are grappling with our own reactions. We have had little time to process how we feel. Many of us returned to work quickly, still absorbing the news ourselves. Even without an evidence-based foundation, the various stages of grief have some utility, especially now.

Managing Our Collective Grief

Shock and Disbelief

The feeling of numbness and difficulty processing has been prominent. The intensity of the results left many feeling frozen, uncertain, or fearful. Shock is a protective state, sometimes lasting days, weeks, or longer. When a patient is in shock, we can assist them in addressing their immediate needs. Are they eating? Sleeping? Safe? Now is not the time to delve deeply into other issues; it's a moment for grounding, support, and reassurance.

Denial

Denial was notably visible in the wake of the 2020 election, where denial of the results became a coping mechanism (political tool) for many. This reaction may seem subdued in the media but may emerge more as people process the outcome. Denial on a personal level might look like a patient minimizing the outcome’s significance in their mind. It's important to meet patients where they are, allowing them the space to process in their own time. Many last week chose not to mention anything or very little in their session.

Anger
Anger is a natural response, arising from fear and frustration. Campaign rhetoric has heightened fears, with some people even feeling their safety or way of life threatened. Providing a safe environment to express anger constructively can help prevent this emotion from spiraling into violence or immobilizing fear.

Fear and Anxiety
Fear and anxiety can play a significant role in this landscape. Uncertainty about the future is high. Some feel their families or communities may not share their perspective, heightening their distress. A safe place to voice these fears is essential. As therapists, we must also find a place to process our own anxieties with peers or supervisors.

Bargaining
For some, the urge to escape can be strong, as they think about moving abroad or taking other drastic measures. Unlike grieving a lost loved one, some patients feel there may be a way out. Assisting patients in exploring these options and increasing their feelings of autonomy can restore a sense of control and help guide them toward grounded, positive action. With any loss, it is best not to make impulsive decisions and allow time to pass, allowing more productive changes.

Grief Essential Reads

How Childhood Emotional Neglect Interferes With Grief

Grief, Five Years In

Depression
Feelings of despair are common, especially among those who invested significant energy in a hoped-for outcome, those belonging to groups that feel alienated, and those working in politics or the media. Like with any trauma, the closer you are to it, the greater the likelihood of significant despair. For patients with a history of depression, the risk of a recurrent depressive episode may increase. Depression may manifest as disillusionment with the political system or a general loss of hope, affecting one’s overall sense of purpose. Recognizing and validating this experience can be powerful, helping patients reconnect with a sense of resilience and finding areas in which they can be optimistic.

Acceptance and Reconstruction
How can people rebuild and move forward? Political outcomes are temporary, unlike the permanence of a loved one’s death. Emphasizing this impermanence can provide patients with hope. Helping them channel energy constructively—volunteering, engaging with their community, reconnecting with personal values—can restore a sense of agency and purpose. Suggesting ways to find joy and meaning, even in challenging times, supports the broader healing process. This can take time and can feel unemphatic if you try to rush there with your patients and yourself.

By using this framework as a guide along with our experiences of working with trauma, we can help our patients process their grief and emerge stronger and better prepared for what lies ahead.

Our roles as mental health professionals remain paramount as we navigate the massive scale of this current challenge. We must continue to do our best to care for ourselves, our patients, and society. In the words of Martin Luther King Jr., "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." In these challenging times, our compassion, resilience, and commitment to healing can make a profound difference in our patients' lives and our communities.