Election season is upon us again! For some, this time of the year brings excitement or curiosity, for others, fear and anxiety. Regardless of where you are on this continuum, most people agree that elections are a foundational principle of our democracy and matter. Depending on the outcome of an election, there can be significant consequences for policy.
At every level of government our elected officials make decisions that impact us daily. One would think that with such importance being placed on the outcome of elections more people would vote. However, this is not always the case. In the 2016 Presidential election, only about half of eligible voters participated. 2020 saw a significant jump with 66% voting, which was the highest voter turnout since 1900. Even with this increase in voter turnout, the US still falls far behind other developed nations. While there have been several shifts recently that actively discourage people from voting, it remains a constitutional right and one we should regularly exercise.
As it relates to your health, there’s some evidence to suggest that voting can positively impact your mental health. One study even found that activism was associated with increased psychological well-being. Beyond what voting can do for your mental health, it’s been pretty clear that mental health is a bipartisan issue where both sides of the aisle can come together. I have written about some of these wins recently here.
All this has me thinking more about our responsibility in policy beyond just showing up to vote. I was talking recently to some friends about why more people don’t get involved in elected office. Many of the reasons I heard have been written about by others. From the challenges of raising money to the public’s ever watchful eye, the barrier for entry is often too high for people to want to try and join this exclusive club. But, and herein lies the problem, we need more people to run for office. There have been entire organizations created to help recruit people to run for office because of how daunting it is from the outside. We need more people to run – and to run on issues that matter. Issues like mental health.
In fact, survey after survey have shown that the American public wants its elected officials to prioritize mental health more. In 2020, one survey reported 91% of individuals, both democrats and republicans, wanted the issue of mental health to be more of a focus. And while this is great that we have an issue that most Americans agree on, we still need legislative champions pushing for the change.
This is why we need to begin to have those of us – those of us who care deeply about mental health – get more involved in the political side of the work. There are three reasons why running for office could help significantly change mental health in this country.
First, the candidate or official can model on a very public platform that mental health is a foundational part of our health and should not be ignored. I continue to lament the lack of discourse around mental health in the public policy space. Now, granted, some of this is changing, but there’s a huge need for improvement. Why not have this as a standing question at every debate? Or, as some have done, why not create a report card on where candidates stand on the issue? Similar legislative report cards have been done by organizations like Mental Health Colorado. If the candidate ensures mental health is brought up at every rally and more importantly in their policy work, imagine the difference this would make.
Second, running on a topic that literally impacts everyone can help bridge some of the political divides that have only grown over the last several years. As I mentioned above, mental health is a bipartisan issue that everyone can get behind. Using mental health as one issue that can bring people together vs. divide them could help bring some communities together. While it will not be the panacea we need as a nation, it is a great start to show how both sides can agree on issues that really matter to people.
And third, being a mental health champion in office allows for the elected official to better position mental health throughout all policy decisions and not just those specific to health care. I remain surprised at how we relegate mental health to only health care conversations when in fact mental health is found in housing, transportation, food, and so many more issues. Imagine an elected official working to have better housing policy because they recognize how critical that issue is to the community and their health? Not only would it be a great example for other lawmakers, it also sends a signal to their constituents that mental health is not just a niche issue.
The power of our political platforms is one that can bring about major change for our communities. It’s a platform that I think more of us should stand on – that more of us should embrace. And when we are in that position, let’s not forget to prioritize mental health for the critical issue it is.