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

click to edit

click to edit

click to edit

click to edit