Today, Friday 10 October, is World Mental Health Day.
The day aims to remind us of the importance of good mental health and the need to prioritise and invest in this.
This year's theme is 'access to services - mental health in catastrophes and emergencies'. The theme highlights the importance of people being able to protect their mental health in times of global instability.
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Overwhelm: when global events and relentless bad news become too much
Sometimes, it can feel like the world is constantly in crisis. We’ve lived through a pandemic, a climate crisis and times of social injustice. Between these issues and global conflicts, economic instability and political unrest, bad news may seem like it's everywhere.
In addition, thanks to smartphones and social media, we have round-the-clock access to the latest news. Staying informed about what’s happening in the world can be a good thing. However, having 24/7 access to current events means there’s potentially no limit to how much we consume.
Constantly hearing about negative news from around the world can feel like a lot to take in – and that’s because it is. Feeling overwhelmed by current events, no matter how big or small, can take a toll on our mental health, and the mental health of the children and young people we work with.
In the digital age, managing how much information we take on board might feel impossible, but you can take control and limit the impact of global overwhelm on your well-being.
The Mental Health Foundation have created some top tips about how you, and the children and young people you work with, can manage overwhelm during global events and relentless bad news, which can be accessed here: World Mental Health Day – Top Tips
Doomscrolling
Doomscrolling is when we spend a long time scrolling through negative news that can make you feel sad, anxious or angry. We usually doomscroll late at night or when we feel stressed. It may feel like we’re trying to keep up-to-date with what’s happening in the world, but it can instead leave us trapped in an anxious state.
Now that children and young people have access to devices and social media from a younger age, they are at higher risk of falling into the trap of doomscrolling.
The Mental Health Foundation have created a guide of practical ways to manage doomscrolling, which can be shared with your team, and the children, young people and families you work with: A Practical Way to Manage Doomscrolling
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Get Involved
If you would like to get involved with World Mental Health Day, the Mental Health Foundation have a number of resources available for you to use in your organisations. These can be accessed in the following link: World Mental Health Day 2025 | Mental Health Foundation
Further Support
You can access further information about Emotional Well-being and Mental Health support in Cumberland on the CSCP Website: Emotional Well-being and Mental Health | Cumberland Safeguarding Children Partnership
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