Archive · 2 Jul 2025
Staying Informed: Protect Your Mental Health When Reading the News
Sometimes, the news can make us feel bad.
Our brains are built to watch out for danger, so scary news can be overwhelming.
Reading upsetting stories can make you feel anxious or worried.
To cope, take breaks, pay attention to how the news makes you feel, and be critical of what you read.
It’s okay to take a break and do things you enjoy.
If you're really struggling, it's important to talk to someone about it.
Negative news can negatively affect mental health, leading to anxiety and feelings of insecurity.
Consuming distressing news activates the brain's safety mechanisms, causing mental strain.
Mindful engagement with news involves pausing, reflecting on emotions, and assessing credibility.
Symptoms of negative news impact include compulsive engagement, despair, and physical symptoms.
Taking breaks, connecting with support, and seeking professional help are recommended strategies.
- Who
- Individuals consuming news and experiencing mental health challenges.
- What
- How to stay informed while protecting mental health from negative news impact.
- When
- Not specified in article.
- Where
- Australia (mentions mental health resources)
- Why
- To help people balance staying informed with maintaining mental wellbeing.
- Recommended Action
- Engage mindfully; take breaks, and seek support
- Negative Impact Signs
- Compulsive engagement, despair, difficulty concentrating, fatigue, trouble sleeping
- Help Resources
- Medicare Mental Health Centres, Kids Hubs, Health Direct (Australia)
- Author's Profession
- Research Fellow in Human Cybersecurity and Academic Researcher in Media Psychology
- Source Credibility
- The Conversation (Creative Commons license)