As disturbing events unfold around the world, and traumatic scenes are witnessed on the news and online every day, it's important to take note of the impact on our mental health. People may be experiencing uncertainty, fear, anxiety and feelings of loss of control. For those with loved ones affected, or who have been through similar experiences themselves, the effect can be particularly severe. We have created advice to help people cope and support each other in these uncertain times. 🔗 Find it here: https://bit.ly/4ce5Shg
I think it is important to remember that the brain treats dangers that are seen on line/tv/movies and gaming in the same way as it treats those that are actually happening to us in person. You can become easily traumatised by what you watch and listen to as much as if you were experiencing it first hand. And that 'experience' can become encoded in the amygdala, creating reactivity and the triggering of strong emotions, flashbacks and nightmares. We need to be aware of what we are feeding our brains and what we are allowing those who are vulnerable, to consume. And of course we are all a little more vulnerable following the Covid pandemic which has resulted in a pandemic of anxiety across society. Personally I use Self-Havening as a gentle, easy and rapid practice to not let the difficult or distressing issues in Life gain that emotional hold over me, so that I can help others find their calm.
Worcester Public Library This may help you folks.
Health Informatics for Clinical Models - AI for Mental Health and Ageing
4wAs a psychologist and experienced researcher in mental health, I strongly recommend to review these recommendations as having a call to action to participate in activism could be against basic safeguarding for population at risk and lead to potential re-exposure to traumatic events. In the current climate, it is difficult to predict whether participating in protests is a safe and peaceful environment. I think the recommendation for reducing exposure to news is great, so as increasing activities that make us feel connected to others like hobbies, sports and even volunteering to help others in local communities (which in turn can help reduce loneliness), but to recommend to already potentially vulnerable people to participate in protests which could lead to re-experience traumatic events is not aligned with what years of research has been showing us. For full clarity, while general population might benefit of some of the recommendations, as a mental health charity we should have in mind that this can be also read by people with severe mental illness, specially vulnerable young people at risk or minorities which could be at higher risk.