- The graphic nature of the videos of the conflict in Israel playing out across social media can have a mental health impact
- A Lehigh Valley therapist said it's important to limit time online
- She also recommends talking to someone if you can shake feelings of sadness or depression
ALLENTOWN, Pa. — As violence from overseas between Israel, Palestinians and Hamas plays out on social media and other outlets, some people here in the United States may be left feeling anxious or helpless.
A local therapist is weighing in on why some may feel this way and how to cope.
“Social media is so accessible and I think regardless of where you go on Instagram, Facebook or Tik Tok, you're going to see things,” licensed therapist Lindsey Tomcics said.
“So if they are visually triggered by something, it is unfortunately reducing how much time they are spending on some of that.”
“If it is greatly impacting them, how are they making meaning from it? What are they doing with it?”Lindsey Tomcics, licensed therapist
Tomcics is the owner of The Calm Space in Allentown and works with patients on a wide variety of mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, grief/loss, mood and adjustment disorders, as well as trauma/PTSD.
The videos and accounts of horrible acts being shared on social media are put there to get others to notice what’s being done, she said
However, those scenes can have an impact on the viewer by stirring up feelings of overall sadness and personal traumatic experiences.
She said simply shutting off different apps or even the entire phone may not be enough for some people to stop thinking about it.
“If it is greatly impacting them, how are they making meaning from it?" she said. "What are they doing with it?”
'Education is important'
Tomcics said some people help quell the uneasy feelings by taking action — whether that be talking to a friend who may be culturally impacted or donating to a relief effort.
“I think, you know, they have to recognize how is it resonating with them?" she said. "Why is it impacting and are they allowing too much coming in that they are seeing and hearing?
"So just really considering that and then what they do with that.”
“Education is important. Understanding is important. I think if we shelter our children too much, then they don't really understand when some other big crisis might come up and impact them here.Lindsey Tomcics, licensed therapist
Tomcics said children can be affected by global events, as well, and said it’s important to monitor how much of the violence kids are being exposed to.
“Education is important," she said. "Understanding is important. I think if we shelter our children too much, then they don't really understand when some other big crisis might come up and impact them here.
“We have to teach them about other nations and other cultures and the more information is helpful, but also in a filtered way, a way that you are not showing the pictures, but you're helping the children understand that something else is going on in the world.”
If feelings of depression or sadness do not go away, people are recommended to seek out professional help for the problem.
