How to protect your mental health from distressing, divisive war news


By AGENCY
The endless reading of negative news stories online is known as doomscrolling, and it can can leave a mark on your psyche. Photo: dpa

People weeping over dead bodies of family members, standing blood-besmirched beside destroyed homes, or fleeing the fighting in panic and bridled rage. On television, and especially social media, you can’t ignore the steady drumbeat of grim reports and gruesome images from the war in Ukraine and between Israel and Hamas.

They can leave a mark on your psyche, “so from a psychological standpoint you should take breaks from taking them in, particularly images,” advises Nathalie Krahe, a member of the Professional Association of German Psychologists (BDP), answering our questions.

Get 20% OFF The Star Digital Access

Monthly Plan

RM 13.90/month

RM 11.12/month

Billed as RM 11.12 for the 1st month, RM 13.90 thereafter.

Best Value

Annual Plan

RM 12.33/month

RM 9.87/month

Billed as RM 118.40 for the 1st year, RM 148 thereafter.

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!

Next In Living

The quick Vietnamese inspired sauce that changed how I cook fish
Malaysia's PAM 2026 Awards' Building of the Year melds heritage with modern needs
Crocodiles getting closer to homes in Kenya due to rising water levels in lakes
Is it OK to eat the same things every day?
Dogs are more attuned to human emotions than we thought, study shows
Bringing it off-screen: Malaysian film club fosters local cinema culture
Malaysian social clubs are offering strangers a space to form meaningful connections
Women sand miners toil stripped Cape Verde beach
‘Jodie Foster’ the snake saved by pioneering treatment
Cook this beef with ramen noodles dish for a quick, tasty meal

Others Also Read