The continuous exposure to news reports of wars, mass shootings, and other traumatic events can have a profound impact on mental health. Witnessing traumatic events in the media can create a physical and emotional response similar to that experienced when facing real-life danger or having vivid nightmares. Individuals, particularly children, may feel vulnerable and overwhelmed when exposed to such distressing content in the news.
People experiencing trauma not only remember the incident but also tend to relive it, making it challenging to move on. These individuals often experience a range of emotions, including anger, sadness, guilt, and distrust. They may question their own ability to detect danger, leading to irrational fears in unrelated situations. This bombardment of traumatic materials in the media can result in anxiety, difficulties in coping, fear, helplessness, and even post-traumatic stress disorder.
Children exposed to disturbing stories, images, or videos may struggle to process and cope with such distressing stimuli. This can lead to various challenges, including fear, anxiety, aggression, sleep problems, and behavioral difficulties. Even just five minutes of distressing news exposure daily can lead to secondary traumatic stress symptoms in preschool-aged children.
Children and adolescents respond to traumatic events in various ways, which may include physical problems, nightmares, sleep disturbances, trouble concentrating, loss of interest in activities, guilt, thoughts of revenge, or even sudden behavior regressions. Parents can help by encouraging children to express their feelings, validating their emotions, explaining that they are not at fault, answering questions honestly, reassuring their safety, maintaining daily routines, and being patient as each child recovers at their own pace.
For those in need of mental health services, various resources, such as Vail Behavioral Health, local crisis response lines, and appointments, are available. In case of imminent danger, always call 911.
Please seek support when needed, as help is available and individuals don’t have to go through challenging times alone.
