Coping with the trauma of post-election loss

Political elections are part of our modern-day governance structure. The passion and emotional involvement that goes with active participation in the political space is a reality that many can identify with. The political season brings a beehive of activity in the domestic, religious, traditional and socio-political space.

Due to the wide scope of stakeholder participation, various levels of interest groups are actively involved in pushing their message to win over followers who may buy into their vision and vote in their favour.

Tensions are heightened as the time for elections draw nearer, with the media helping to shape public opinion and add to the emotional build-up. Hopes and expectations are high as people identify with one party or the other.

The aftermath of an electoral defeat can be traumatic. Not only can it lead to loss of legitimacy that can undermine the democratic process, but it can also cause social unrest and deep divisions. The spread of malicious information can further exacerbate these issues, hence making it challenging for the losing party to accept the outcome.

To manage the negative effects of electoral defeat, it’s essential to promote social cohesion and national unity through encouraging respectful discussions, addressing concerns and grievances.

Every citizen needs education about the democratic process, and like a match or contest, everyone prepares with the hope of winning but obviously only one person would emerge the winner.

Accepting election outcomes is crucial for promoting peace and stability in a nation. It’s essential to remember that losing an election isn’t the end of the world, and it doesn’t disable individuals from contributing to the country’s growth and development.

In fact, accepting election outcomes graciously is vital for maintaining social cohesion and national unity. It’s about promoting a culture of tolerance and respect for divergent views. By doing so, individuals can help prevent social unrest, divisions, and the spread of misinformation.

Ultimately, accepting election outcomes is a sign of maturity and a commitment to the democratic process. It allows individuals to move forward, focus on the future, and continue working towards a better tomorrow for themselves and their country.

Problems of misinformation are a part of every contest but society stands coherent when political leaders and their supporters accept the election outcome graciously, and promote a culture of tolerance and respect for divergent views.

Since there are only two possible outcomes, post-election emotions could be either positive or negative, depending on whether one’s preferred candidate wins or loses. Those on the winning side may engage in wild jubilation while those on the losing side may go into shock and grief.

While the winners may need to be measured in their celebrations by controlling their emotions, those who experience the emotional turbulence of shock and grief need coping strategies that will help them navigate the difficult period of disappointment, frustration, anxiety, worry, anger and hopelessness – all part of the grieving process that they will go through.

Though the feeling and expression of grief is normal for any form of loss, it is important that they complete the cycle of grief in good time and recover their rhythm for mental health and well-being. Building the necessary mental and emotional resilience to bounce back after the painful loss is important to help them overcome the trauma and return to a healthy mental and emotional state.

Effects of electoral loss may include, deep anxiety, worry, anger and disappointment that may result in insomnia, loss of appetite, difficulty accepting the reality of loss, a sense of hopelessness, frustration, and uncertainty about the future, etc. Getting sufficient rest, eating a balanced diet, and engaging in relaxation activities can bring joy. Moments like this call for intentional physical care and a conscious effort at meeting emotional needs.

Useful coping mechanism

While it is difficult to successfully predict the outcome of most elections, it is important to learn healthy coping strategies by:

• Conditioning our minds that either a win or a loss is a possible outcome no matter how much time or resources we have invested into the campaign
• Imagining the best possible outcome and how it may affect us
• Imagining the worst possible outcome and how it may affect us
• Spending time to plan and prepare for how best to pick up the pieces and move on in a healthy manner in case of a loss
• Spending time to plan how to channel the positive energy from a win into productive ventures that will be of personal benefit
• Ensuring healthy eating, rest, relaxation and sleep prior to the elections in order to ensure holistic health and well-being
• Avoiding unproductive arguments about political matters
• Avoiding listening to or watching heated political debates
• Filtering political news and not following every news. The media wants to get and sustain your attention with sensationalism, don’t be a victim

Avoid unhealthy coping mechanisms such as alcohol or substance abuse, getting into confrontations and fights, unacceptable social behaviour like unprovoked attacks and destruction of property.

NB:

• In case of a loss, be intentional about getting rid of negative energy by reaching out to friends on the winning side, congratulate and wish them well. You could even go further and share some light-hearted jokes with them. Avoid suppressing your feelings, as this can prolong the healing process.
• Have a plan of things to do after the election. In case of a loss, pursuing your plan could act as a healthy distraction to shift your focus from the pain of loss and help you bounce back. Find healthy ways to hyperventilate through channelling one’s emotions into constructive activities. This in itself is therapeutic.

It is our belief that the above coping mechanisms, will help to reduce stress and prevent conflict even as winners and losers emerge from our general elections. In life, one can control some things, and there are other things one cannot control. For what one cannot control, he needs to accept and learn appropriate adjustment techniques.

Article by:

Dame Dr. Mrs. Mary Anane-Mensah, Senior lecturer and Licensed Counsellor at the Oheneba-Dornyo University College of Counselling Psychology (ODUCCP) and

The Rev’d Professor Samuel Oheneba-Dornyo, Licensed Clinical Pastoral Counsellor/Counselling Psychologist