Our country has grown so divisive that a new fear has been unlocked for many of us. The fear of getting shot.
There are people out there choosing violence when someone doesn't agree with them. Or if someone looks at them funny. Or for no apparent reason at all. And, no matter your political views, this is terrifying.
So, it's no wonder there's a rise in hopelessness, stress, and mental health diagnoses. A September Gallup poll indicates that the U.S. depression rate is at a historic high, with a current projection of 47.8 million Americans suffering from depression in 2025.
After all, how can you not feel anxious and even scared when going to any public place nowadays? For instance, my friend and I attended a concert last weekend and, despite the metal detectors out front, we still couldn't help but mention to each other, "What if...?" And my parents now have a security guard stationed outside their church on Sunday mornings for this exact reason.
With shootings happening recently at schools, churches, grocery stores, movie theaters, health clinics, and neighborhood block parties, it feels like nowhere is off limits. And it's emotionally exhausting to have to be worried about this all the time.
I recently saw a woman post on TikTok that even after 9/11, she felt safer than she feels today. At least during that time, there was more empathy in this country as everyone joined together for a common cause. Now, I see people actually arguing on social media about whether or not certain people deserved to be shot and killed. Excuse me, what?!
But, even more than the shootings, what causes me the most anxiety is how many people seem to hate each other nowadays. For a while there, people were celebrated, or at least accepted, for their differences in beliefs, culture, color of skin, gender, and who they loved – but that doesn't feel like the case anymore.
So, how can you cope with an anxiety that's happening across the entire country? I know this is where I usually share advice, but even I'm struggling to come up with anything. That's because this isn't something you can journal or meditate your way out of.
What I can tell you, though, is if you're feeling this way, you're not alone. And, if you feel like there's a lack of human decency in the world today, I believe there are still more good people out there than bad.
In fact, about 70% of the world’s population did at least one kind thing in the last month, according to this year's World Happiness Report. And, according to a national survey by the Harvard Kennedy School, 96% of Americans still believe we have a responsibility to respect the rights of others.
I have witnessed firsthand this kind of compassion. I saw the sheer number of people who donated to my friend after her house burned down. I've seen people stop to help a stranger whose car broke down on the side of the road. I saw all the people who joined together to support my transgender friend when she felt unsafe. And I saw the hundreds, if not thousands, who peacefully rallied against violence and discrimination in my area.
These moments have proven to me that our capacity for connection and empathy is stronger than hate. There's still good in this world and far more people willing to help others than not.
If you are struggling with what's happening in the world today, know that many people are feeling the same way as you are. You don't have to struggle alone. Talk to your primary care physician, who can treat mental health conditions or refer you to a psychiatrist or therapist for additional help. If you or someone you know is in immediate crisis, call the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988.
Our country has grown so divisive that a new fear has been unlocked for many of us. The fear of getting shot. There are people out there ch...
