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Original poster

Feeling so scared and sad after seeing latest stories in media

37 replies

Overpaintedlady · 13/08/2021 21:21

Does anyone else feel bombarded with negative news in the media lately?! Seems like so much murder, child abuse, violence and tragic incidents like suicide occurring. I feel scared, sad and incredibly anxious about stepping outside the house at the moment, particularly with my toddler son.

What on earth is going on lately?! I keep hearing of children being killed, it’s so frightening.

OP posts:
Original poster
Overpaintedlady · 13/08/2021 21:23

I feel like I’m living in fear constantly.

OP posts:
XenoBitch · 13/08/2021 21:24

Switch the news off, and take a break from social media.

Clocktopus · 13/08/2021 21:25

With all kindness, step away from it. Turn off your breaking news alerts, delete your news apps, and take a break from the constant drip of negative media.

Jobhunterhelp · 13/08/2021 21:28

I've deleted my news apps this week following the recent horrific stories regarding children. I needed to step away. I really recommend it too.

robotcollision · 13/08/2021 21:38

Turn the news off and focus on the kindness all around you. Today I went to pick up some photos from the local print store and they deducted £5 for no reason, just said, 'Ah, let's round it down.' Then on the way home my debit card didn't work on the bus and the driver just smiled and said, 'Doesn't matter, just sit down.' Two small instances of complete strangers, both men, being really kind to a middle aged woman who has had a really rough two weeks. I prefer to focus on this sort of evidence of generosity and gentleness and kindness than the news which is designed to relentlessly breed fear in us.

Rainbowsew · 13/08/2021 21:41

@robotcollision that it is lovely x

MrsTerryPratchett · 13/08/2021 21:41

It was always there. Your toddler just makes it more obvious for you.

In fact the number of child murders, and I suspect CSA, remains fairly constant over time. Barring terrible events like Dunblane.

PumpkinPie2016 · 13/08/2021 21:43

I understand what you mean -the news at the moment is awful.

However, I agree with other posters, step away from it. Don't watch/read the news for a bit. It obviously doesn't stop things happening but then nor does reading about them.

There is still plenty of good in the world so we should focus on that and being kind.

phishy · 13/08/2021 21:46

I don’t think there’s anything different? Maybe you are just watching the news more than usual.

Bunnycat101 · 13/08/2021 21:47

I’ve struggled with the news this week in a way I never have before. There is just something very raw about harm coming to children and it has been a week filled with stories of cruelty. I need to step away really. I think sometimes things just get you. There were lots of people at work who were particularly affected by the Sarah Everard case. I suspect it resonated with them as young women in London.

Mischance · 13/08/2021 21:49

The news is ghastly; and no-one with a heart could not feel this.

But the reality is that these things are in the news because they are unusual - that is why they are news. My DGS was worrying about all the things that could possible happen to him and I said the same to him, also pointing out that the local paper never carries the news that he has had a wee, because it is so common.

You really do not have to watch or listen to the news. Give yourself a break from it, as others have suggested.

Thisisthewaywego · 13/08/2021 21:52

I’ve thought the same too op. I have a 6yo and I’ve started to feel a bit fearful of what could happen when we leave the house, especially the news of the 5yo boy who died after an accident in a department store earlier this week. Then I need to force myself to calm down Sad.

NeverDropYourMooncup · 13/08/2021 21:54

It was always there and sadly, there also always seems to be more happening relating to children in the holidays. School is a protective factor for many children.

That doesn't mean it doesn't happen during the rest of the year, but holidays are a pressure point for contact visits, being at home for days on end without support, limited engagement with other people who might notice or act - and then you have the random atrocities that are coincidental, along with less 'normal' news about MPs, schools, etc, which means that crimes against women and girls/children that wouldn't make it past the local news page are given more prominence in the absence of the yearly 'Is this a Great White Shark in British Waters?' features, so it seems like it's hugely increased when it's actually more that greater numbers of reports are visible.

Stay away from the news for a while and stick to (I'm not being facetious) Peppa Pig and Hey Dougie videos for a few weeks. Your mental health and stress levels will be all the better for it.

HereticFanjo · 13/08/2021 22:06

Sometimes it is really healthy to step away from the news for a few weeks Flowers

Itsbeen84yearss · 13/08/2021 22:11

I feel the same. It all sets off my anxiety but so do all the dramas on the tv which all seem to be centred around horrific crimes against women/ children/ both. I have felt better for having breaks from it. Make a list of ‘safe’ things to watch. Comedies etc and stick to those for a while. You’ll feel better

ICantFindTheBuffet · 13/08/2021 22:12

I felt the same tonight, there seems to have been a shift in tone. Shamefully I do look on the DM website for an easy news fix. I find as there's been less covid stories, they've reverted back to their old ways of seemingly trying to purposely depress us. I decided tonight to take a hiatus from the news. I follow some 'good news' accounts on Instagram which definitely helps.

Needmorechocolate · 13/08/2021 22:17

I feel the same. I think everything has been so focused on covid for so long that it is quite shocking to be reminded again of the other awful things that are happening in the world. Taking a break from reading/listening to it and turning off news alerts etc is definitely good advice. @ICantFindTheBuffet I like the idea of following good news sites, any you recommend?

godmum56 · 13/08/2021 22:22

yup, I do the same. The way i see it is that if watching or reading distressing things would help the victims and sufferers in any way or stop it happening to others, then i would do it in a heartbeat....but it doesn't. It doesn't help them, it doesn't help me. I don't watch documentary programs about abuse or cruelty either.
I will donate to charities, support the action groups that I agree with, do my bit to stop doing things that lead to global warming, care for wildlife and so on....but just watch stuff that is depressing and frightening where watching doesn't help, then no I won't do it.

EileenGC · 13/08/2021 22:29

The news this week have been awful. I’ve always liked staying informed, even on sensitive subjects, but it just seems like everything has happened at the same time.

It’s hard to end the day on a positive note. I do a ‘giving thanks’ list, remember I have a family and lovely friends, try and focus on the positives of the day. My faith also reminds me that we won’t be suffering all of this forever and it will soon come to an end, I just wish it were sooner. I know this will be a controversial statement on here, but it comforts me to know than it’s not only us who are sad and crying over all the lives lost recently, the rest of the universe and for me, God, are also watching in despair and feeling the loss of so many innocent ones. We live in a beautiful yet evil world somehow…

Giantwaterbottle · 13/08/2021 22:36

I've been feeling exactly the same OP. I am finding it hard to cope with all the horrendous stories about child abuse/cruelty/murder.
I was getting so upset and felt helpless and depressed.
Reading this thread has made me go and delete my news apps and I am absolutely going to take a break as recommended and also avoid any tv in a similar vein.

I actually wonder if I'll ever go back to reading the news as as a PP has pointed out, reading those details doesn't help the victims at all.

Heatherjayne1972 · 13/08/2021 22:39

It does hit you in a different way when you have children

I’ve not watched the news since March 2020 - I highly recommend it

TheSoapyFrog · 13/08/2021 23:26

I've noticed it too, especially with such dreadful things happening to very young children. I kind of thought it was maybe because I have 7 year old sons so I pick up more on stories involving children of a similar age. Maybe I need to delete the news apps as well.

Unihorn · 13/08/2021 23:33

@phishy

I don’t think there’s anything different? Maybe you are just watching the news more than usual.
There have been at least 3 reported murders of under 5s in the space of 10 days, two of which took place in the same town by parents, and another unexplained death of an under 5 year old. In addition to constant updates from Afghanistan on an extremist regime gaining more and more ground, almost certainly through the torture of citizens. I'd say it's been a pretty out of the ordinary few weeks.
SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 13/08/2021 23:43

I definitely agree with the recommendation to turn it all off for a while, @Overpaintedlady. I live in Scotland, and I found the run-up to the independence referendum horribly stressful - the divisiveness, the worry about the result etc - I have depression, and it had a terrible impact on my mental health.

I know it sounds ridiculous, that a political campaign made me feel so bad, but I knew I was spiralling down into a very dark place, so I just stopped listening to/watching/reading anything about the independence referendum for the last few weeks of the campaign, and it was such a relief.

I have done the same, from time to time, during the pandemic - basically escaped into happy books and programmes - and it really does help.

It’s good to do what you need to do, to look after your mental health.

RhonaRed · 13/08/2021 23:46

I no longer watch the news.