Worries of the World
Look for practical ways to help
Reach out for help
Fight against misinformation
Limit news intake
Take media breaks from social media and the news
Both can amplify anxiety and be triggering if you're someone who already struggles with anxiety
Do not hit the share button immediately
It is very important to check if the news you want to share comes from verifiable sources. Proceed with caution and be thoughtful about what you share
Only look at facts not speculation
Remember news outlets have to fill 24 hours a day and are constantly trying to compete with each other
News outlets fill the time between facts with interviews which often leads to worst cae speculation
Check in with your thoughts
Remember your feelings are normal
Being anxious is a normal human reaction
It can be easy to slip into catastrophic thinking/ worst case scenario
Talk about your anxiety, you won't be the only one feeling anxious. Don't bottle up your anxiety
Give support details
Connect with friends and family
If you feel too overwhelmed, reach out to a professional or a MH helpline
Evidence shows that helping others can also benefit our mental health
Show your support to the people and non-profit companies that provide aid and support
If you can find practical ways to help this makes a positive difference in the world and eases own anxiety
You won't be able to help with every news story and that's ok. Work out what's manageable for you
Sometimes helping locally with an elderly neighbour or someone self isolating is achieveable
Some people will catastrophise and tell you there's no hope and the world is about to end
A good answer is that there will always be hope as long as there is action
Show support for causes
Share stories
Use social media to call for donations
Help in a big or small way is what turns anxiety into a healthier and more positive reaction
How do I explain what war is?
Talking about the big topics
Children 8-12
Teenagers
May have an idea what war is
Likely to have heard related words
Check what they know
Check where they have heard about it
How does it make them feel?
Will have an understanding what the terms mean
Have information at their fingertips
May benefit from protected time with you to talk about the news
Be curious about what they have heard and where - ie social media/youtube/friends/teachers
Share reliable accurate information in line with their worries/concerns
Keep open lines of communication
What if they hear something?
Lean in and open up the conversation
When children ask a question it means they have already considered an answer
Having the conversation is less about giving answers to your child and more about
What they have heard/know
How they feel
What they understand
What their fears/worries are
How you will support them and keep them safe
Look after you
Make sure you do whatever you need to feel safe and contained
Talk to others
Move
Rest
Notice how much news and information you are consuming
Always stay honest
Keep it simple and age appropriate
Normalise all feelings - your child's and your own
Be lead by their questions and give them opportunities to ask
Reassure your child of their safety with you
You don't need to have all the answers
Listening and offering your child a safe space to make sense of their experience is the most important aspect
Take action
If your child is old enough and you feel it is appropriate
Invite them to join in or share with them what steps you have taken
They could write to their MP and/or choose which charity to contribute donations to
Taking positive steps brings hope to children
It offers them a good model of how to problem solve in difficult situations
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