Doomscrolling and Distress: Navigating the Mental Health Risks of Violent News, Images

Texas Tech Health Check

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Violent and horrific images of events and even descriptions of these incidents in the media seem frequent and unavoidable, especially recently. This can have a significant impact on your mental health. Natalie Scanlon, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist in the TTUHSC School of Medicine Department of Psychiatry, explains what impact these images can have on our mental health and on young, developing brains. She recommends setting boundaries and taking a break from the media and other sources of news and gives us tips on how to talk to children about these events.