Donald Trump’s return to the White House has reignited deep unease in Canada. With rising fears about economic instability, job security and our future as an independent country, Canadians are emerging from the pandemic only to be plunged back into a new era of uncertainty. 

Broadview spoke with three mental health professionals about the stress they’re seeing in their communities— and what the rest of us can do to cope.

Karen Rowa is a professor in the department of psychiatry and behavioural neurosciences at McMaster University and the clinical director of the Anxiety Treatment and Research Clinic at St. Joseph’s Healthcare in Hamilton.

Brian Hay is a social worker in Hamilton who has worked in community health centres as part of a family health team.

Heather Gardner is a social worker and the supervisor for assessment and support at Hamilton Child and Family Supports. 

Karen Rowa: “We live in a time of permissive hatred, which is making its way through our society. There is also a tremendous fear of economic loss. There is a great danger of being desensitized by seeing Trump spew hatred without consequence.

We need to remember that we are not powerless. Empathy for others is very important. We have to stick to our values and be clear where we stand. As an individual, I can’t control Trump, but I can remove his power over me by not paying attention to him. 

In times of chaos and uncertainty, people need to try and find reasonable things they have control over while also trying to increase their tolerance for uncertainty. This may mean putting ourselves in small uncertain situations to practice. 

We also need to find joy right now, which will look different for each of us.” 

More on Broadview:

• 5 ways people of faith can respond to Trump 
• Whose Christianity does Trump want to protect?
• Being Black in Trump’s America 

Brian Hay: “I am seeing behaviour being pushed to extremes, both in my practice and in society in general. I keep hearing, ‘I can do what I want because Trump does.’  He is giving permission for terrible behaviour to happen. The problem is that right now, Trump is taking up a large amount of space in our brains. Because he is everywhere, it distorts our view of the world. We need to limit our media exposure and check in with our friends.

I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to be active socially in these times. — and that doesn’t mean getting together to talk about politics! I also believe that comedy is the elixir we all need in our lives. It clears our minds and improves our mental health. We also can’t underestimate the power of nature to heal our anxiety.

Buddhist teachings stress the importance of impermanence — which means that things are always changing, and what we are experiencing right now is not permanent.”

Heather Gardner: “I continue to be gobsmacked at Trump’s behaviour. As a gay woman, I’m afraid for myself and for my daughter. Right now, fear is a part of me. I ask myself ‘what if I have to run?’

We can choose to focus on what we can control and embrace behaviours that will sustain us through this time.

I’m particularly worried for young people. They need to hear that Trump’s messages are not OK, and that our country represents something very different. They hear their parents talking and wonder about their future. They need our reassurance. Part of that means telling them that Trump is a genuinely bad person and showing them what we are doing to oppose him. Involving them by buying Canadian products, making a family decision not to go the United States for vacation or boycotting American streaming services can make them feel they have an actual role to play.”

These interviews have been condensed and edited for clarity.

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Rev. Christopher White is a United Church minister in Hamilton.