World Mental health Day 2025
World Mental Health Day, observed every year on 10 October, is a powerful reminder of why good mental health must be a priority, and why investing in accessible mental health support is critical for everyone.
The theme for 2025, “Access to services – mental health in catastrophes and emergencies,” shines a spotlight on a pressing issue: during times of global crisis, whether natural disasters, conflicts, pandemics, or other emergencies, people’s mental health is under enormous strain
Are you feeling overwhelmed by it all?
In today’s world, constant exposure to news about global crises and conflicts can take a significant toll on our mental health. The daily influx of distressing headlines, images, and updates, often amplified by the phenomenon of doom scrolling, can leave many people feeling overwhelmed, anxious, and helpless.
What is Doom scrolling?
Doom scrolling refers to the habit of endlessly scrolling through bad news on social media or news sites, often without realising how much time is being spent. While staying informed is important, doomscrolling can intensify feelings of stress and sadness, making it harder to manage emotions and maintain a sense of wellbeing.
The impact of repeated exposure to negative news is real. Studies show that it can increase anxiety, disrupt sleep, and even contribute to symptoms of depression. Especially during times of global instability, when crises seem relentless, the mental burden of constant bad news can feel overwhelming, even for those not directly affected.
Top tips to protect your mental health
To protect your mental health while staying informed, it’s essential to set healthy boundaries around your news consumption. Here are some practical tips:
Limit news-checking times: Choose specific times of day to check the news rather than having constant access throughout the day.
Use trusted sources: Rely on reputable news outlets to avoid misinformation that can heighten anxiety.
Set a time limit: Give yourself a maximum time for news consumption each day to avoid endless scrolling.
Turn off non-essential notifications: Reduce distractions and avoid being pulled back into doomscrolling by disabling news alerts.
Practice mindful scrolling: Notice when your news consumption is starting to feel overwhelming and pause or step away.
Balance with positive content: Make space in your feed for uplifting or neutral content that brings you joy or calm.
Engage in offline activities: Spend time away from screens with hobbies, exercise, or social connection to recharge mentally.
Remember, it’s okay to step back from the news if it’s affecting your mood or mental health. Protecting your wellbeing means taking active steps to reduce exposure to overwhelming content while still staying informed in a balanced way.
By setting boundaries around news consumption and breaking the cycle of doomscrolling, you create space to maintain resilience, focus on what you can control, and nurture your overall mental health, especially important during these challenging times.
If you want to learn more about how your workplace can help employees create psychologically safe workplaces please contact us