IPM May 20

Combatting Hopelessness
in the Age of Bad News
Whether you seek it out or not, bad news is everywhere. We’re constantly bombarded
by headlines broadcasting details of the latest catastrophe or impending
threat. To make matters worse, social media and the 24-hour news cycle have made it
more difficult than ever to come up for air. Be it COVID-19, climate change, or world
politics, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by this wave of information on seemingly insurmountable
issues. The reality is that this takes a real toll on our mental health. And
as hard as it is for adults to cope, it can take an even harder toll on our kids.
Instead of focusing on school and friends or what they’ll do this summer, kids are
stressing out about intense concerns like social isolation, getting sick, dying, and and
uncertain future. How can parents help their kids cope with these stark realities, even
if they themselves might feel hopeless and scared too?
Photos: Unsplash
Too much news is bad news
While you may like to stay informed by watching or listening to the news, be cautious
of how and when you’re subjecting your teens to it. There’s a difference between
staying informed and being pummeled by negative information on repeat. Small
amounts of anxiety can encourage kids to take action but when anxiety levels start to
creep up, it has an opposite, paralyzing effect.
Young people are even less equipped to cope with the grim news cycle than older
generations. When good news seems few and far between, be careful not to let them
lose hope, especially if your child is sensitive or anxious. Consider choosing a different
avenue of consuming the news rather than having it on in the house when they’re
around: read reputable online news sources away from your kids, listen to the radio
or podcasts, or record the evening news to watch when they’re not present. These are
all effective ways to stay informed while also protecting your teens’ mental wellness.
Talk about it
While it’s a good idea to regulate
your children’s media consumption, this
doesn’t mean you should fully sweep
these topics under the rug. As a parent, it
can be tempting to shield your kids from
being hurt, but in this case doing so will
not be helpful. The truth is, eventually
they will have to face these tough realities.
If you have questions about what’s
going on in the world, chances are your
child does too.
It’s okay if you don’t have all the answers—no
one does—but it’s crucial to
give them a safe space to ask questions
and talk through their anxieties. Empathize
and validate the emotions they’re
experiencing: “I can understand how
these times must feel scary and confusing
for you. I feel the same way sometimes.
You are safe.” Making sure your child
knows that they can safely come to you
with their concerns ensures that you’re
tuned into how they’re coping and
whether they’re getting enough support.
Take action
In many cases, the antidote to anxiety
is action. Some days it’s hard to convince
yourself that there is hope, but this hopelessness
is the enemy of change. One of
the best ways to combat a loss of hope
is to help shift your kids’ focus to the
ways they can take action, and lead by
example. Find ways for the whole family
to get involved, like delivering groceries
to an elderly neighbour or filming a short
video and emailing it to a friend. Even
encouraging them to brainstorm some
possible solutions to the issues on their
mind can help energize them and calm
some of their anxiety.
Don’t lose sight of the positives
As Fred Rogers so wisely said, remember
to look for the helpers during tough
times and tragedies. Humans are biased
towards negative information. This isn’t
something to be ashamed of—we all do
it subconsciously as a way to try and
keep ourselves safe—but it is something
12 Island Parent @Home IslandParent.ca