Sad in the U.S.A.
Perhaps to warn readers not to expect much when U.S. President Trump arrives in Israel today, The Times of Israel has reported the findings of the American Psychological Association about “an unprecedented level of stress, sadness and other negative feelings” among the clients of its members after the election of Donald Trump. The headline reads: “Feeling sad is ‘new normal’ in Trump’s America, therapists say.”
Americans’ propensity to think positively has given way, at least in some quarters, to depression. Clients of psychologists are said to cite “the political climate as a very or somewhat significant source of stress.”
President Obama’s famous, “yes, we can” is giving way to something like, “no, he won’t let us.”
The naïve belief that every problem must have a solution is being replaced by mature realism. Despite Trump’s assurances that his experience as a deal maker will “make America great again,” something very different is being felt after his first few months in office.
Soon after his swearing in, the New York Times published an article by Karen Stohr, a philosophy teacher at Georgetown University, suggesting that the election has replaced hope with despair because of the kind of contempt for people the president has often displayed during his campaign and afterwards. The effect has been depressing and dehumanizing, particularly when expressed by someone in power, and nobody has more power in the world just now than Donald Trump.
As an illustration, Karen Stohr points to how Trump mocked the physical appearance of Serge Kovaleski, a New York Times reporter who is disabled. There are many other instances of that ilk, often directed at women. Any citizen who dares to question the president’s ways may be targeted and ridiculed.
Josefin Dolstein, the author of the Times of Israel report, writes that, mercifully, there have also been different responses to the Trump presidency. She cites three: introspection aimed at a deeper understanding of oneself, heightened desire to co-operate with others and believing in God.
With introspection in mind, she quotes a social worker in Florida who, despite her shocked and disappointed clients, wouldn’t allow them to despair but looked for “finding ways to cope and survive and eventually thrive.” She believes that this is, indeed, possible even in the Trump era. Perhaps, we speculate, depression can be mitigated by mature introspection.
A second effective coping mechanism is social engagement. The same social worker, we’re told, “encourages people to become involved in causes important to them” as a way of dealing with their anger and their anxiety.
Perhaps, to speculate again, caring for the most vulnerable in society will be the most effective way of resistance to what the Trump administration may inflict on the American people.
In addition to introspection and cooperation, the new American reality may make more people turn to religion, not just as civic embellishment but as genuine faith. Dolstein quotes a young woman: “I definitely feel like it’s pushed me to have more faith in God — which has never been my thing — but I feel like it’s become like a lifeline at this point, if I don’t have that I feel very overwhelmed.”
Many Israelis, particularly on the political right, greeted with euphoria Donald Trump’s words after his meeting with their prime minister soon after taking office. Some wanted to believe that during his visit he’ll acknowledge Israeli sovereignty over Jerusalem and move the U.S. embassy there. Perhaps he’ll also facilitate peace with the Palestinians.
But they may have reason to think again. Individual reflection, co-operation with others to support the most vulnerable and faith in God may help them too to deal with the stark reality.