The people of Ukraine are living through a nightmare every day. The war has cost countless lives and deeply affected those who survive it. Its impact on mental health has surged during this ongoing crisis, and trauma and fear have spread not only within Ukraine but across the globe.
How watching the war unfold affects your mental health
Disturbing photos and videos fill the screens of people seeking updates around the world: damage to buildings and bodies after shelling in cities like Kyiv and Kharkiv, people and pets huddled in shelters, and Ukrainian citizens tearfully calling their loved ones to say goodbye, just in case.
It is a lot to process.
It can help anxious people, and anyone really, to turn off the screen and walk away. Based on her research, Cohen Silver says she has chosen to read about the conflict in Ukraine rather than view images or videos that could be psychologically damaging.
As the world has become more digital, many people spend hours on social media gathering information. While many enjoy amusing memes, others use social media to stay up to date with current affairs, like the Russia–Ukraine crisis.
Horrifying pictures and videos of the ongoing destruction in Ukraine have been circulating online since the first day of the Russian attacks. According to psychologists, watching such a violent war on social media has a strong impact on our mental health. Since many of us are in the habit of “doomscrolling”, it becomes even more harmful.
Why doomscrolling harms your wellbeing
Doomscrolling is often used as a coping mechanism, but Dr Touroni highlights that when you “engage with very upsetting news in an ongoing way”, such as the conflict in Ukraine, it can also “have a negative impact on our well-being”.
This is partly because of the brain’s neuroplasticity. Put simply, people who meditate can often settle an overwhelmed mind more easily than people who are easily distracted by small things. According to chartered psychologist Dr Audrey Tang, constant exposure to news through social media, including the Ukraine conflict, can affect the chemical pathways in your brain.
Children and young people bear the invisible wounds of war
It seems we are living in a time unlike any other, going through one overwhelming experience after another. European countries, unfortunately, have a long history of exposure to large-scale trauma, mainly because of human-made events such as war.
Unexpected life-threatening events, conflicts and wars have immense consequences for mental health and wellbeing, especially in children and young people. Witnessing such conflict causes trauma, overwhelms those affected and has a profound impact on many areas of a child’s life. Wars and conflicts can lead to a toxic mix of stress and mental and physical health problems during childhood and beyond.
Studies spanning many decades show that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have a powerful relationship with adult physical and mental health. There is a wide body of research on the impact of war on children’s cognitive development, physical and mental health, and wellbeing. This is not only a geopolitical and humanitarian issue, but very much a public health issue too.
Long-term strategies will be needed to support those exposed to the conflict in Ukraine. In the immediate and short term, psychosocial support and access to good-quality mental health services are necessary. It is promising that some neighbouring countries have already set up support services for Ukrainian refugees.
First-level interventions should aim to strengthen the coping strategies and resilience of children and young people. Much work also needs to go into supporting the drivers of good mental health, such as secure housing, education and income for families. This will pave the way for better recovery and a mentally healthier future for all.
How to cope with distressing news about the war
A few tips for everyone:
- Handle traumatic material with care.
- Limit your exposure.
- Acknowledge how this is affecting you.
- Talk about it.
Getting support
If news of the war is leaving you anxious, low or unable to switch off, talking to someone can help. You can book a session with a Trijog therapist or call the Trijog helpline on 1800 202 7180.
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 112. For free, confidential support any time, call Tele-MANAS on 14416.
