A mental health street team helped students handle Election Day stress outside Ackerman Union on Nov. 5.

Octave, a mental health service with a clinic based in Westwood, organized outreach teams outside UCLA voting centers at both Ackerman Union and the Hammer Museum on Election Day, providing resources such as breathing exercises and access to therapy to help students manage their political stress.

Octave decided to visit UCLA because of how often the election came up in therapy sessions throughout the year, said Kristin Sword, vice president of marketing at Octave. Half the clients that visited during the week reported increased stress due to the election, added Camille Mack, a licensed marriage and family therapist at Octave’s Westwood clinic.

“There seems to be a mixture of emotions,” Mack said. “We have some clients who might be feeling some joy or excitement and some that are feeling maybe a bit of disappointment or anger.”

Mack also said heightened stress during election season impacts students’ motivation, sleep quality and ability to focus, adding that students should exercise and take breaks from work and social media.

“I should be focusing on my midterms – it’s kind of hard to,” said Angel Rodriguez, a third-year political science student.

Rodriguez said he found himself researching different propositions on the ballot while trying to study. Jazmin Gutierrez Cerda, a first-year neuroscience major, added that she was nervous about the chaos that would ensue after either candidate won and appreciated the street team’s concern.

The most important thing for students to keep in mind during the election season is the mix of emotions that the entire community may be experiencing, Mack said.

She added that although people have been discussing and thinking about the election, it is important that they give themselves space before jumping into a tense or uncomfortable conversation.

James Arellanes, a second-year business economics student, said he felt more animosity in this election than in years prior.

“Maybe I was a kid back then, but I don’t remember it being so hostile,” he said.

The uncertainty and lack of control surrounding election season can be a source of stress, Sword said, adding that the hardest part of the election was feeling powerless.

Bella Dong, a graduate student in business, said waiting for the outcome caused the most stress for her.

“It’s the fear of the unknown – the feeling that you don’t really have control over this, especially for noncitizens, when you don’t have a voice,” she said.

Although the effects of the election on student stress are normal, Mack said it is important to ensure people have the resources to take care of themselves.

Octave’s Westwood clinic, which accepts the UC Student Health Insurance Plan, offers therapy to students, Mack said. Leaning into support, taking a break from social media and learning different coping skills are ways that students can combat stress at this time, she added.

”We do have control over what we’re thinking,” Mack said. “We do have control over what we do and with that, we can control as best we can what’s important to us.”