This election is being touted as one of the most crucial in American history. It’s also leaving people stressed like never before, regardless of where they stand politically.
Two Bay Area voters living close to each other are worlds apart.
On one side is Lisa Disbrow. The former teacher from Lafayette is a Trump supporter who believes the 2020 election was stolen. Her top themes are the economy, energy independence and border security.
“I was a ‘never Trumper’ and I became a Trump supporter because of his policies,” Disbrow said.
On the other side is Stephisha Ycoy-Walton, an East Oakland financial advisor and passionate Harris supporter. Her top issues are LGBTQ rights, homelessness and education.
“For me, this time was different than any other election because I understand what is at stake,” she said.
Ycoy-Walton and her wife Viveca have done phone banking for Harris and called thousands of voters. Meanwhile, Disbrow has been appearing every day for weeks at an overpass in Lafayette, putting up signs and waving flags in support of Trump.
“I like to hear honking and I also like people to come over and want to talk,” she said.
But even though they have little in common, there is at least one thing that binds them together: a growing sense of fear for the future.
A recent report from the American Psychological Association found that seven in 10 Americans say the future of the country is a major source of stress. It is an issue that crosses party lines.
Assistant professor of psychiatry at Stanford University, Dr. Nina Vasan, said the level of fear among Americans on both sides is unprecedented.
“When I talk to not only my patients, but my friends, family and colleagues, I think almost everyone has some form of anxiety,” she said. “Either they lose sleep or they actually avoid going to family or professional events.”
The good news is that three in five people say they are hopeful about the election results.
“I want a better way for all of us,” Disbrow said.
