Pittsburg, PA
Pittsburgh psychologist explains how to cope with election anxiety
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — The 2024 election has been overwhelming for many people, even triggering anxiety for some.
With the race for the White House wrapping up in a few days, KDKA-TV reporter Jessica Guay spoke with a psychologist who said elections can take a toll on your health but there are ways to cope with the stress.
“I know some people are somewhat embarrassed to say, ‘The election is stressing me out and I’m overwhelmed.’ But a lot of people are experiencing it, and you’re not alone,” said Melissa Brown, a UPMC licensed psychologist and clinical manager.
People are being bombarded with campaign ads, text messages, signs, mailers, and social media posts from both political parties.
“It’s just a barrage of information over and over. And it’s just overwhelming for so many individuals,” Brown said.
She said election anxiety is a real thing. Some people worry about the potential outcome of the races and get overwhelmed with all the information on TV and online, especially about candidates’ positions on issues like the economy, immigration, and abortion.
“Many people recognize that whatever side of the aisle you fall on, there can be profound impacts. So, people really become invested, and it becomes an emotional investment in the decisions that get made,” Brown said.
Friends or family members might have differing viewpoints. Brown said that can lead to fear of confrontation.
“We have struggled as a society to really find some common language and ground to be able to have discussions. And that has really contributed to the anxiety too,” she said.
Brown said don’t go into political conversations to tell someone why they’re wrong.
“Your goal should not be to change someone’s mind, but to educate someone. We can go into a conversation just trying to be curious and open-minded and even think about how that person might have come to that viewpoint,” Brown said.
“Just try to remember where your stopping point is as well and what your limits are, what you will or will not discuss with someone,” she added.
If you’re getting too stressed out about the election and all the information that’s being put in front of you every day, there are ways to alleviate those anxieties and worries.
“It’s not really worth listening to. Throw away the flyers, scroll past what you can, mute the TV, radio. Really just go to those sources that you find reputable to get your information,” Brown said.
Brown also said to do one thing every day that’s destressing like going outside, reaching out to friends or family who can support you, and having a game plan for when the election’s over.
“How can you support yourself if the results are not what you were expecting or you had hoped for? And what can you do then? We feel out of control in this situation because we are one person and our one vote. But yet it’s reminding everybody you have a lot more ways to advocate for what your needs are and this might mean that this is the catalyst for you to engage in something that can help you feel more in control,” she said.
She said to check on your loved ones and watch for signs like change in personality, tardiness or missing deadlines.
There is a crisis text line for anyone experiencing stress or anxiety due to the election. You can text “ELECTION” to 741741. A crisis counselor will help you cool down.
Vegas Golden Knights (28-17-14, in the Pacific Division) vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (30-15-13, in the Metropolitan Division)
Pittsburgh; Sunday, 1 p.m. EST
BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Golden Knights -149, Penguins +125; over/under is 6.5
BOTTOM LINE: The Pittsburgh Penguins and the Vegas Golden Knights square off in a non-conference matchup.
Pittsburgh has a 14-8-7 record at home and a 30-15-13 record overall. The Penguins have scored 197 total goals (3.4 per game) to rank 10th in NHL play.
Vegas is 28-17-14 overall and 14-9-7 in road games. The Golden Knights are 27-6-8 in games they score at least three goals.
Sunday’s game is the first meeting between these teams this season.
TOP PERFORMERS: Anthony Mantha has 21 goals and 23 assists for the Penguins. Benjamin Kindel has six goals and one assist over the last 10 games.
Mark Stone has 21 goals and 38 assists for the Golden Knights. Pavel Dorofeyev has seven goals and three assists over the past 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Penguins: 7-1-2, averaging 4.2 goals, 7.1 assists, 3.3 penalties and 6.9 penalty minutes while giving up 2.5 goals per game.
Golden Knights: 4-4-2, averaging 3.5 goals, 5.8 assists, 2.6 penalties and 5.8 penalty minutes while giving up 3.3 goals per game.
INJURIES: Penguins: None listed.
Golden Knights: None listed.
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
PITTSBURGH — Oneil Cruz needs to have a great season for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2026 and his strong Spring Training continued in their most recent victory.
Cruz hit a three-run home run off of Houston Astros right-handed pitcher Jayden Murray in the top of the fifth inning, playing a big role in the 5-2 victory at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach, Fla.
He waited on a changeup on the second pitch, 85.1 mph over the middle of the plate and sent it 106.4 mph off the bat and 368 feet, scoring both left fielder Billy Cook and third baseman Alika Williams with two outs.
That marks the first home run for Cruz in the Grapefruit League, who has had a great Spring Training so far, slashing .538/.600/.846 for an OPS of 1.446 in five games, with seven hits in 13 at-bats.
Pittsburgh got the win after the top of the sixth inning, after a rain delay ended the game.
Pirates Rookie Pitchers Have Up-And-Down Showing vs. Astros
Right-handed pitcher Braxton Ashcraft made his second start for the Pirates in the Grapefruit League and dominated vs. the Astros.
Ashcraft threw three scoreless innings, allowing just one hit and a walk, while posting two strikeouts for Pittsburgh.
Former Pirates pitcher, right-handed starter Mike Burrows, countered Ashcraft for the Astros. He threw three scoreless innings himself, allowed one hit and a walk and posted four strikeouts.
The Pirates traded Burrows to the Houston Astros in the three-team trade with the Tampa Bay Rays on Dec. 19, that landed them second baseman Brandon Lowe, outfielder Jake Mangum and left-handed relief pitcher Mason Montgomery.
Right-handed pitcher Bubba Chandler made his second appearance for the Pirates in the Grapefruit League and threw two innings.
Chandler immediately loaded the bases, walking both third baseman Carlos Correa and first baseman Christian Walker, then giving up a single to center fielder Cam Smith.
He came back and struckout right fielder Taylor Trammell and got left fielder Zach Dezenzo to pop out, but gave up a single to second baseman Brice Matthews and a run to the Astros, before ending the inning with a strikeout.
Chandler also gave up a solo home run to Astros third baseman Isaac Paredes, on a slider down in the zone.
He finished his outing with three hits, three walks and two earned runs allowed over 1.1 innings pitched, before left-handed pitcher Derek Diamond got the last two outs of the inning.
Chandler struggled in his first Spring Training start vs. the New York Yankees at LECOM Park in Bradenton on Feb. 23, where he allowed four earned runs over 1.2 innings of work.
The Pirates will need better showings from Chandler, who should serve as a key piece of their starting rotation in 2026.
Other Important Notes from Pirates Victory
The Pirates added two runs in the top of the sixth inning, as Cook hit a single that scored second baseman Nick Yorke and then Williams singled, scoring Cook to make it a 5-2 ball game.
Cook had just one hit in eight at-bats coming into this game and scored twice in the victory, as he walked before the Cruz home run.
Designated hitter Marcell Ozuna led the Pirates with two hits, a good sign for them, as they’ll rely on him greatly for his power and hitting in 2026.
The Pirates are now 7-2 in the Grapefruit League and tied with the Yankees for the top of the standings.
Make sure to visit Pirates OnSI for the latest news, updates, interviews and insight on the Pittsburgh Pirates!
Pittsburg, PA
As the NFL combine winds down, all eyes shift to Pittsburgh for the league’s next showcase event
More SoCal rallies for and against military action in Iran expected on Sunday and Monday
Colorado lawmakers duel over data centers: Grant millions in tax breaks or regulate them without incentives?
Two people shot in New Haven restaurant Saturday evening
When will Delaware warm up? After snow, ice Tuesday, temps will rise
This Week in South Florida Full Episode: March 1, 2026
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Indiana Members Credit Union announced as new anchor tenant at Bottleworks District
Video: What the Texas Primary Battle Means for the Midterms
Dems’ potential 2028 hopefuls come out against US strikes on Iran
At least nine killed after Iranian strike on Israel’s Beit Shemesh
Mass shooting at Austin, Texas bar leaves at least 3 dead, 14 wounded, authorities say
Mamdani’s response to Trump’s Iran strike sparks conservative backlash: ‘Rooting for the ayatollah’
-
World4 days agoExclusive: DeepSeek withholds latest AI model from US chipmakers including Nvidia, sources say
-
Massachusetts4 days agoMother and daughter injured in Taunton house explosion
-
Montana1 week ago2026 MHSA Montana Wrestling State Championship Brackets And Results – FloWrestling
-
Denver, CO4 days ago10 acres charred, 5 injured in Thornton grass fire, evacuation orders lifted
-
Louisiana7 days agoWildfire near Gum Swamp Road in Livingston Parish now under control; more than 200 acres burned
-
Technology1 week agoYouTube TV billing scam emails are hitting inboxes
-
Technology1 week agoStellantis is in a crisis of its own making
-
Politics1 week agoOpenAI didn’t contact police despite employees flagging mass shooter’s concerning chatbot interactions: REPORT