ALLENTOWN, Pa. (WFMZ) — With the recent rash of violence flooding social media, local counselors are encouraging people struggling to deal with those images to create a space for themselves.
When information is at your fingertips, it can be difficult to unplug.
“This week has been really difficult. I think the news covers a lot of the information but what I also think can happen is that there’s just too much news and how to process everything that’s happening,” said Jessica Lievendag, LPC and co-owner of Summit View Counseling.
If you’re seeing too much or reading too much, Lievendag says to take a break.
“Being informed is great but too much information is really triggering that anxiety for a lot of people,” Lievendag stated.
If you have kids who are asking about current events, Monica Johnson, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker at West End Counseling & Wellness says ‘listen.’
“I would ask them what they know already. Don’t make any assumptions about what they know . I would ask them what they want to know, what kinds of questions are they seeking answers for. I would validate their feelings and tell them that a lot of people are struggling right now. I would share my own feelings with them so that they know that it’s ok to have strong emotional feelings at this time,” Johnson explained.
If the images are too much, create a space for yourself.
“Trauma and violence is difficult to see no matter if it’s close to home or at a distance. It is real and it does shake people’s sense of trust and security so surround yourself with those people that you can trust,” Johnson said. “Take a moment to meditate, do some breathing. Stick into your routine, exercise, activity, being with those that we love and care about.”
Lievendag stressed the importance of having an outlet.
” There are things that we can control and there are things that we cannot control. It’s how we react to those stressors and we can control how we react,” Lievendag concluded.