Supporting Your Child’s Mental Health in the Age of Political Anxiety

Hands from various backgrounds getting prepared to place their ballot, illustrating the variety of vastly differing thoughts and opinions present in our current political climate. Therapy can help your child or teen cope with this tension.

When I first trained to be a child and family therapist, I never anticipated how much politics would enter the therapy room. I imagined a world where kids and teens would talk about school stress, friendships, and family issues—but not about the fear and anxiety they felt over political decisions beyond their control. Yet, over the past year, I’ve heard kids say things like, "I’m scared to even turn on the news anymore. It feels like everything is getting worse, and I don’t know what’s going to happen next," or "I keep worrying about what might happen to my family. What if my parents get deported or we lose our healthcare?" These concerns have become a real source of stress for so many, showing how deeply the current political climate impacts their mental health. As parents, understanding this reality is key to helping our kids navigate anxiety in today’s world.

Whether it’s feeling overwhelmed by divisive rhetoric, stress from frequent news cycles, or anxiety about the future, many kids, preteens, and teens are struggling to process their emotions around the current administration. With the pressures of social media, school, and peer relationships, it’s no surprise that anxiety related to politics is becoming a common concern among today’s youth.

This blog will guide you through how to support your child or teen who may be experiencing anxiety related to the current president and political environment, while also offering strategies for effective coping. If you notice signs of heightened stress or anxiety in your child, it may be helpful to seek out counseling or therapy to help them navigate these challenging times.

1. Understanding How Political Anxiety Affects Kids and Teens

The current president and political climate can create an atmosphere of uncertainty and fear. Kids, especially preteens and teens, are particularly vulnerable to stress when the news they hear is constantly changing, and they may feel unsure about their future, especially when issues like healthcare, climate change, and national security are on the table.

The Impact: Political anxiety can manifest as increased stress, irritability, difficulty focusing, and even physical symptoms like headaches or stomachaches. Teens may feel a sense of helplessness, thinking that their future is beyond their control. This can worsen underlying mental health issues, including depression and anxiety.

What Helps: As a parent, it's crucial to create a safe space where your child feels comfortable expressing their concerns. A San Diego-based child therapist or teen therapist can help your child understand the emotions they are experiencing and develop healthy coping mechanisms. By encouraging open dialogue and allowing them to ask questions without fear of judgment, you can help reduce their anxiety about the political landscape.

2. Limit Exposure to News and Social Media

In today’s digital age, it’s almost impossible for teens and preteens to avoid the constant flow of political news. Whether it’s through social media, news apps, or even conversations with friends, political discussions can become overwhelming. While staying informed is important, constant exposure to negative or distressing content can contribute to heightened anxiety.

The Impact: Your child may feel consumed by what’s happening in the world and develop a sense of dread or fear about the future. Studies show that heavy exposure to negative news—especially related to politics—can amplify feelings of stress and helplessness, especially in teens who are still developing their coping mechanisms.

What Helps: Encourage your child to limit their media consumption, especially if it’s causing them distress. As a parent, setting boundaries around screen time and social media can help. Consider scheduling “news-free” times or days where you and your child can disconnect from the digital world. A counselor or therapist in San Diego can also guide your child in building resilience to news-related stress and finding healthier ways to consume information.

3. Helping Your Child Develop a Healthy Perspective on Politics

It's common for teens and preteens to internalize the political climate, especially if they are deeply impacted by the current president’s policies or actions. Helping your child understand that while political issues are important, they don’t need to control their emotional well-being is key.

The Impact: Teens may feel personally attacked or fearful of their future due to political changes. This can lead to an overwhelming sense of uncertainty and anxiety. If they feel like their personal beliefs don’t align with the current administration, it can create additional stress.

What Helps: Teach your child that it’s okay to have strong political opinions, but those opinions shouldn’t define their entire identity. Encourage discussions that allow them to express their concerns without feeling attacked. A teen therapist can also help your child navigate their emotions and learn how to separate political stress from personal well-being. Additionally, focusing on positive political action, such as getting involved in community efforts or discussing ways to create positive change, can empower your child to take constructive action and manage anxiety. Be mindful of how you discuss politics both directly to and in front of your child. Parents may unintentionally reinforce a panicked mindset in regards to the current administration, leading your child to internalize your anxiety.

4. Helping Your Child Cope with Divisive Political Discussions

With the current political climate being so polarized, political discussions at home, school, and online can often become heated. This can be especially difficult for teens who are still developing their sense of self and may feel pressured by their peers to take a stance.

The Impact: Teens may feel isolated if they disagree with their peers or family members about political views. This can lead to anxiety, feelings of loneliness, and a sense of disconnection. Constant political arguments can also create stress, especially if your child feels caught between differing viewpoints.

What Helps: Encourage your child to engage in respectful conversations with others who have differing opinions, without feeling pressured to change their views. Model how to have civil, open discussions about politics, and help your child develop the skills to express their thoughts without fear of judgment. A San Diego counselor or teen therapist can help your child feel more confident in their own opinions and teach them strategies for managing anxiety related to political disagreements.

5. Create a Sense of Control through Action

One of the most empowering ways to help kids and teens manage anxiety related to the political climate is to give them a sense of control. Feeling powerless can exacerbate anxiety, but getting involved in political or social causes that resonate with your child can help them feel more in control of their future.

The Impact: If your child feels overwhelmed by the state of the world, they may struggle with feelings of helplessness and anxiety. Teens are particularly susceptible to feeling like their voices don’t matter, especially in a politically charged environment.

What Helps: Encourage your child to participate in activities that promote social change or allow them to advocate for what they believe in. Volunteering, joining community groups, or even participating in local politics can help them feel empowered. Therapy can also assist your child in processing their feelings about the political climate and focusing on what they can do to make a difference.

6. Supporting Your Child with Therapy or Counseling

If you notice that your child’s anxiety around politics is becoming overwhelming or affecting their daily life, seeking professional help is a great option. At La Jolla Therapy Center in San Diego, we specialize in helping kids, preteens, and teens navigate anxiety related to the current political climate. Our team of child and teen therapists can work with your family to help your child process their emotions and develop healthy coping strategies.

The Benefits of Therapy: Therapy offers a safe space for children to express their concerns without judgment. A therapist can help your child explore the root causes of their anxiety, offer strategies for managing stress, and empower them to face difficult emotions with resilience. Whether your child is dealing with political anxiety, social issues, or general life stress, a licensed therapist can provide support that can make a significant difference in their emotional well-being.

7. What You Can Do as a Parent

As a parent, you have a powerful role in helping your child navigate political anxiety. By staying informed, setting healthy boundaries around media consumption, and encouraging open dialogue, you can help your child feel supported and secure. If their anxiety persists or becomes overwhelming, seeking help from a qualified therapist can provide them with the tools they need to manage stress and develop resilience in the face of political uncertainty.

The political landscape can be daunting, especially for kids, preteens, and teens who are still learning to process complex emotions. As a parent, you can help your child navigate political anxiety by fostering a healthy relationship with news and social media, encouraging open conversations, and seeking professional support if necessary. If your child’s anxiety is becoming unmanageable, don't hesitate to reach out to a trusted therapist in San Diego. At La Jolla Therapy Center, we offer expert counseling for kids, preteens, and teens to help them cope with the stress of today’s world.

Our San Diego, California based counseling practice specializes in helping teens and adults who struggle with anxiety. Through counseling, we help kids and young adults overcome the negative thought cycles, the constant comparison game, and worst-case scenarios that accompany the anxious brain. Additionally, we offer other mental health services, primarily for perfectionists, overachievers or others who don’t feel like they 100% fit in. More specifically we offer treatment for anxiety/OCD, and depression at La Jolla Therapy Center. If you don’t live around San Diego or the commute makes in-person therapy impossible, all of our services are available via online therapy to anyone physically located in California. Therefore, we work with clients from Sacramento to Palo Alto or even Mountain View. You and your family deserve to finally feel less overwhelmed, so let’s get started!