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When there’s bad news and bad news

I remember hearing an old adage of news reporting: “If it bleeds, it leads”. If a story is graphic and dramatic, some news outlets will place it on the front page of the newspaper or first up in the TV broadcast to capture the attention of a drama-loving audience.

But this approach is not without its cost. The tragedy is unimaginable for those involved in incidents of violence or terrorism who lose their lives or have them irreparably changed forever. And then there are those of us who aren’t directly involved in the events but see and hear about them through news stories and social media. We can be affected as well and experience what is called “secondary trauma” – the stress resulting from helping or wanting to help a traumatized or suffering person.

In this day of 24-7 news channels and social media, we can be bombarded over and over with photos, footage, and talk of traumatic events.

Even things happening across the world can be very present in our daily lives. Social media friends and followers may share stories and thoughts as they try to make sense of what’s happened. All of this repeated exposure can definitely have an huge impact on our feelings, thoughts, and overall mental health.

Emotional reactions may be expected upon seeing people affected by shootings, bombings, motor vehicle collisions, and other traumatic events.

We can feel sad, angry, helpless, and wonder what is going on in the world and if we and our loved ones are safe. Usually, these reactions will pass and not have a major impact on our day-to-day living, but they can also become more long-lasting and disruptive.

What can we do to cope and prevent negative news stories from overwhelming us?

 

If you are struggling with trauma or coping with difficult events, we can help. Check out our free walk-in counselling to get support with no cost, appointment, or referral. Find out more here.

 

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