The Psychological Toll of Dehumanizing Language

When political leaders or media personalities consistently promote messages that devalue certain identities or experiences, it can lead to:

• Increased anxiety and depression

• Feelings of shame, isolation, or internalized oppression

• Fear of being targeted in public, school, or work settings

• Loss of trust in institutions meant to protect or serve all people

• Retraumatization for those with histories of discrimination or abuse

Even individuals not directly targeted can suffer vicarious trauma by witnessing this harm to others.

What Can Be Done?

1. Name the Impact You’re not being “too sensitive.” It’s valid to feel emotionally affected by rhetoric that undermines your identity, safety, or humanity.

2. Protect Your Mental Space Limit exposure to toxic media cycles. Follow credible, balanced sources and take breaks from political content when needed.

3. Connect with Supportive Communities Isolation breeds hopelessness. Whether it’s therapy, activism, or community groups—connection can buffer psychological distress.

4. Take Political Action as Self-Protection Voting, writing your representatives, and supporting inclusive policies are ways to reclaim power and advocate for a safer world—not just for yourself, but for others.

5. Seek Professional Help When Needed Therapy offers a space to process these stressors in a validating and nonjudgmental environment. You don’t have to navigate this alone.

Harmful Rhetoric Isn't Just "Free Speech"

Yes, free speech is a right, but when that speech shames, dehumanizes, or incites harm, it affects people far beyond a single debate stage or news cycle. It seeps into classrooms, family dinners, workplaces, and inner monologues.

As a mental health professional, I believe in the power of words to heal—but also in our responsibility to challenge the ones that hurt.

You Deserve to Feel Safe and Seen

Whether you’re grieving over policy shifts, feeling fearful about the future, or just trying to hold onto hope in a divided world—your mental health matters.

📞 Call 602-615-0166 💻 Individual teletherapy for teens and adults in: Arizona • Idaho • Louisiana • South Dakota • Vermont • Oregon

You’re not overreacting. You’re responding to a world that’s asking too much of you—and at times offering too little in return. Let’s work together to change that, starting from the inside out.