The reality of election fatigue

As South Africa gears up for the elections, citizens are facing not only political choices but also significant mental health challenges, writes Justin Steyn.

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Despite the strides made in democracy, issues such as crime, inflation, and load shedding continue to plague the nation.

This intensifies what experts are calling “election fatigue”.

Marinda Summerton, the head of Mustard Seed Tree, a non-profit organisation dedicated to mental health issues, spoke about the importance of understanding and addressing this psychological phenomenon.

Explaining election fatigue

“Election fatigue is a real phenomenon that can have profound implications on mental health”.

According to Summerton it is characterised by feelings of exhaustion, apathy, and stress related
to the political processes.

“All of these can exacerbate existing mental health issues,” she explained.

She named three primary manifestations of election fatigue; increased anxiety and stress, emotional burnout, and frustration.

“The heightened anxiety and stress comes from uncertainty about the outcomes. Then you have emotional burnout from continuous exposure to distressing political content. Finally, there can be increased irritability which is caused by a lack in addressing critical issues. All of these issues can cause feelings of helplessness and anger,” she explained.

Dealing with election fatigue

Summerton further explained that the sheer volume of political information can overwhelm the
mind, leading to cognitive fatigue and social isolation.

In response, Summerton offered strategies for coping during elections.

She advised to limit political media intake, join support groups and focus on controllable activities.

“Limiting political media intake can prevent feeling overwhelmed by reducing exposure to political news. Joining support groups offers emotional support while exercising regularly reduces stress and improves overall well-being. Focusing on the things you can control helps reduce anxiety by concentrating on aspects of life that one can directly influence.”

Key issues driving voter dissatisfaction

According to an article in the BBC, the upcoming elections could signify a pivotal change in the nation’s political scene, with the African National Congress (ANC) possibly dropping below 50% support for the first time.

The article sighted key issues driving public dissatisfaction including economic decline, with average incomes falling since 2011 despite earlier improvements.

The report further revealed that South Africa remains the most unequal country globally.

“The richest 20% of the population hold nearly 70% of the income, while the poorest 40% hold just 7%. The country also faces the highest unemployment rate in the world, severely affecting youth, with more than 44% of 15 to 34-year-olds not in education, training, or employment.”

Persistent high crime rates and frequent power outages due to mismanagement at Eskom further exacerbate the situation.

Additionally, the report explained that xenophobic violence has been fueled by political rhetoric.

Earlier, Non-governmental organisation Human Rights Watch, noted that “foreign nationals had been used as scapegoats and demonised in the election campaign”.

They said that this contributed to widespread frustration and disillusionment among voters, challenging the ANC’s long-standing dominance.