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When the media impacts our mental health

NikNikSenior Contributor23 Jan 2017, 9:26 am AEDT

When the media impacts our mental health

Hi everyone,

I think this has been gradually building for me over the past few months, but over the weekend I realised how much the news & media was impacting my mood.

We had the terrible incident in Melb and then Trump's inauguration - and I just found myself a bit down on the world.

Does anyone else find this? More importantly, does anyone do a good job at blocking it out. I would love to hear what strategies people use.

I know I could just not watch the news.. which I often miss anyway, but it's all over my facebook feed etc.

What do others do to manage this?

52 replies

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In response to: When the media impacts our mental health

Unknown userMember15 Apr 2018, 10:12 pm AEST

Re: When the media impacts our mental health

Is anyone impacted by the news about the mother of two who jumped from the cruise ship & believed to have perished? These reports escallate my SI, and also make me alarmed / feel what she must have been experiencing to do this in front of her hubby ? apparently servailence caught the whole thing on camera. She has two children - how will this affect hem? 😞

In response to: When the media impacts our mental health

NikNikSenior Contributor15 May 2018, 9:12 am AEST

Re: When the media impacts our mental health

Hi @Former-Member

Thanks so much for raising this. It's such a devastating and sad situation.

These types of stories can be so triggering, particularly if they open up past experiences.

@Former-Member and others, please be mindful of what you expose yourself to around the media coverage and take care of yourself if you're feeling like it's raising things for you.

In response to: When the media impacts our mental health

Unknown userMember15 May 2018, 4:23 pm AEST

Re: When the media impacts our mental health

❌ TRIGGER ALERT ❌
Is anyone impacted by the current media jarg on the WA family tragedy? Murderr suicide (x3 adults x4 children). The man who did it lost a son to suicide & never recovered...

Thinking of you @Owlunar, and all us who've lost children.

This is an abc article / interview with neighbour as to why. A good read.

the Miles family, who were killed in a murder-suicide in Margaret River on Friday. " Ms Haynes said. "I think mental health and depression and loneliness are more important issues that seem to trigger this event. "I mean, if he could have talked to other people or if Cynda could have talked to other people, if only we'd known, we could have offered help."

http://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2018-05-14/reality-of-miles-family-shooting-sinking-in-for-margaret-river/9758398

In response to: Re: When the media impacts our mental health

Hope4meSenior Contributor15 May 2018, 4:32 pm AEST

Re: When the media impacts our mental health

Hi @NikNik;

I saw this thread and thought I'd contribute. It's a brain strain watching/hearing/reading the news. I stopped 4 yrs ago because it aggrivated my delusional thinking at the time.

That mind-set isn't there anymore, but I still refuse to engage due to the negativity and triggers. I do see the occasional clip during ad breaks, which seems to be enough to keep me reasonably up to date albeit randomly.

My family try to 'catch me up' on all that I've missed. It's ok if it's just one person as I can redirect the conversation. When it's more people though, it pushes me to my limits. Death this; catastrophe that; hit and run; trauma.. What the!!!

What's even more horrible, is how they 'link' what they're talking about to a book or movie which can be punishing to listen to. My sis reads/watches the most violent and upsetting stuff; I don't know how she copes.

Anyway, my thoughts for the day. Take care;

Hope

In response to: Re: When the media impacts our mental health

Hope4meSenior Contributor15 May 2018, 4:37 pm AEST

Re: When the media impacts our mental health

Sorry @Former-Member; you posted while I was writing. My thoughts go out to those on the forum and people directly affected by this tragedy.

Hope x

In response to: Re: When the media impacts our mental health

Unknown userMember15 May 2018, 4:38 pm AEST

Re: When the media impacts our mental health

PRINCE HARRY &

HEARING ABOUT MEGAN'S FAMILY FIASCOES HAS LEFT ME FEELING NORMAL, AND EONDERING HOW ON EARTH SHE HAS DONE SOOOOO WELL IN SPITE OF THEM.

Just quietly - i think she must have a fabulous mum 💝

What do you think @ Faith-and-hope, @Appleblossom ... anyone, everyone ...

In response to: Re: When the media impacts our mental health

Unknown userMember15 May 2018, 4:41 pm AEST

Re: When the media impacts our mental health

Thats ok @Hope4me, hope you're not badly affected. Its a hard call, to help people who are isolated & don't ask for help. Dont k ow what the answer is. Heard the other day that more australians suicide than killed in car crashes. Very sad 😞

In response to: When the media impacts our mental health

BlueBaySenior Contributor15 May 2018, 4:48 pm AEST

Re: When the media impacts our mental health

Hi @Former-Member
I am still struggling with the murder suicide of the WA family. To lose all those beautiful children. Why? If only?
So many questions that will never have answers.
I cried so much when I saw this story. I just felt so much fir the family. It's uncomprehendable
I just clicked on the link and didn't realise they had a son who had died from suicidr and the father had struggled to come to terms with this.
its just so sad. .

In response to: When the media impacts our mental health

Unknown userMember15 May 2018, 5:05 pm AEST

Re: When the media impacts our mental health

@BlueBay, not surprised you cries, your such a beautiful, sensitive soul. I dont know why these distressed pol have to take others with them (accept that they may think they're saving them from future pain, who really knows).

Yes, i understood better when i heard this man's son died from suicide and the other son has terminal kidey disease 😞 Losing a child messes with our head. Thisis amajoe risk & why there's not more checks/ followup, i donno
You take care BlueBay, hit the mute button whenthey replayit.

In response to: Re: When the media impacts our mental health

AppleblossomSenior Contributor15 May 2018, 5:15 pm AEST

Re: When the media impacts our mental health

Sorry @Former-Member I am still processing the Margaret River tragedy which in some ways bears resemblances to our situation. I dont want to read about the brit royal family atm. It would be premature for me ...

I also have rellies over there ... my sister flew there last month ....

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