Supporting Student Well-being During and After Elections: A Guide for School Social Workers

Elections can be a stressful time for students and their families, with high emotions and political divisions often impacting the school environment. School Social Workers (SSWs) are in a unique position to support students’ mental and emotional well-being during these times, creating a space for students to process their feelings, understand diverse perspectives, and feel safe. Here are some key ways SSWs can help students navigate the election landscape.

1. Listen to and Validate Feelings

In times of uncertainty, providing students with a safe, non-judgmental space to express their thoughts and emotions is crucial. SSWs can:

• Encourage students to share their feelings and concerns, whether about the election, broader social issues, or their personal experiences.

• Acknowledge their emotions without offering immediate solutions, as students often benefit simply from feeling heard.

• Normalize uncertainty and difficult emotions, reinforcing that it’s okay not to have all the answers to their questions.

By actively listening, SSWs validate students' feelings and reinforce that they are not alone in navigating complex emotions.

2. Promote Tolerance and Empathy

School Social Workers play an essential role in fostering a culture of tolerance and acceptance in schools. They can:

• Encourage respectful conversations, helping students explore diverse viewpoints and develop empathy toward peers with different perspectives.

• Lead activities that emphasize inclusivity, equity, and kindness, allowing students to understand the importance of respectful discourse.

• Address bias and discrimination proactively, making discussions about race, identity, and social issues age-appropriate and constructive.

Resources like Teaching Tolerance’s Beyond the Golden Rule can be valuable in structuring these conversations.

3. Model Healthy Emotional Regulation and Self-Awareness

Students look to the adults around them for cues on managing stress and responding to challenging situations. SSWs can set a powerful example by:

• Practicing self-awareness regarding their own reactions to election-related issues and modeling constructive ways to cope with these emotions.

• Monitoring their language, tone, and nonverbal communication, especially around sensitive topics, to create a calm and reassuring environment.

• Engaging in self-care to ensure they are fully present and able to support students effectively.

Educators and SSWs can also utilize tools like the self-awareness resources from Verywell Mind to deepen their emotional resilience.

Additional Resources for School Social Workers:

• SSWAA Position Paper: Downloadable PDF below.

  
  

Guidance for Supporting Post Election (2020)

.pdf

Download PDF • 262KB

• Teaching Tolerance: Provides materials and lessons on diversity, equity, and inclusion.

• Understood.org: Offers empathy-building activities to help students develop social-emotional skills.

• Calm App: Free lifetime membership for educators.

• National Association of Social Workers (NASW): Has guidelines on ethical practices and self-care for social workers navigating complex environments.

By creating safe spaces, modeling empathy, and promoting acceptance, School Social Workers can provide invaluable support to students during and after election cycles, helping them feel understood, empowered, and resilient.

---

This content has been generated using AI.  Content has been reviewed by and edited by SSWAA staff and/or committee members.