In the aftermath of Tyre Nichols’ killing: How to take care of your mental health while staying informed

As videos of Memphis police brutally beating Tyre Nichols continue to circulate online, many are feeling emotions ranging from anger and sadness to frustration and fear. The tragic incident sparked widespread outrage and calls for justice as protests erupted in major cities across America after body cameras and surveillance footage were released to the public by Memphis police.

Staying informed and addressing issues of police brutality and racism are important, but you can also take steps to protect yourself and your loved ones from the emotional stress of reading too much news and social media. It is important.

Nichols, 29, was severely beaten by five Memphis police officers during a January 7 traffic stop.(opens in new window), just minutes from the house where he lived with his mother and stepfather. Nichols died three days later after succumbing to his injuries. The officer responsible for Nichols’ death has been fired and charged with charges including second-degree murder, kidnapping, and assault.(opens in new window)

A body-cam footage video taken by Memphis police on January 29th may seem inevitable online. There may also be surrounding arguments everywhere justifying or condemning the actions of police officers. While some may feel obligated to stay up to date on the protests and online discourse surrounding Nichols’ death, psychologists say the best approach to mental health is to set limits. , you might not watch the video at all.

social media limits

Honestly, the debate over Nichols’ death is enough to make you physically sick.(opens in new window)or a hot take from a conservative news pundit victim-blaming a dead man for his own murder, the story is making Twitter and other social media apps truly toxic right now.

healthline article(opens in new window)E. Alison Holman, a professor at the Sue and Bill Gross School of Nursing at the University of California, Irvine, says, “If you get caught up in bad news too much, you’re more likely to report severe stress symptoms, so you don’t get into trouble.” It could become,” he said. .”

To keep your social media scrolling in balance, Holman recommends limiting your consumption of news from trusted sources to once or twice a day, or turning off news altogether. Instead of constantly scrolling through your feed, consider setting a specific time each day to check for updates. Sites like Twitter and Instagram let you mute or unfollow accounts that cause you stress. Even better, you can mute posts by keyword to keep them from slipping through your filters.

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Tonya C. Hansel, Ph.D., Director of Social Work Programs at Tulane University, agrees with Holman in a Healthline article. Anxiety worsened. Hansel also recommends avoiding sensational headline news and working diligently on headlines to find the important news to read rather than consuming everything you find.

Avoidance of Racial Trauma

For black Americans, Nichols’ murder is a tragic reminder of the problems of systematic police brutality in this country. In the wake of the ongoing protests, we are asking you to take care of your emotional health.

Dr. Monica Williams, a clinical psychologist and expert in racial trauma, law enforcement and community trauma, told CNN(opens in new window) The black community says they’re outraged enough without the graphic imagery being burned into their minds.

“You can read the description of the event. We live in a violent culture, and offering these clips for entertainment only makes us more violent,” Williams said. told CNN. I don’t think this really gives dignity to the deceased. “

Yolo Akili Robinson, founder and executive director of the nonprofit Black Emotional And Mental Health Collective, describes the restless nights and anger he saw in his friends and colleagues in the aftermath of Daunte Wright’s police killing in 2021. I spoke with Mashable. “Police killings create a culture of shame, trauma and anxiety,” Robinson said.

He said, “The murals and memorials dedicated to these victims serve as daily reminders that their deaths were ‘never considered worthy of justice.'”

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The American Psychological Association says:(opens in new window) “Experiences of racism against people of color can build on each other and drain emotional, physical, and mental resources over time”.Rebecca Ruiz of Mashable wrote: . […] Since the death of George Floyd, symptoms resemble post-traumatic stress disorder(opens in new window)many suffer from hypervigilance, increased heart rate, elevated levels of the stress hormone cortisol, sleep disturbances, and irritable bowel syndrome.

It’s important to note that Black Americans (myself included) are entitled to feel all emotions in response to racial trauma and police brutality.

“To learn about and name racial trauma at this moment in American history is to understand that countless people of color have long been denied basic dignity and human rights.

And while solutions to combat racial trauma are complex and arduous work, there are things you can do here and now to protect yourself as you deal with the effects of the death of another innocent black man. There is. Start small in your own personal life by limiting your social media and news consumption as mentioned above or reaching out for support from loved ones and licensed professionals. I can.

It’s important to take time to process your emotions, support your own mental health, and come together as a community to support each other. As of this writing, Tire Nichols’ family has created her GoFundMe.(opens in new window) to raise funds for his memorial service. In addition, the funds will provide mental health assistance to the Nichols family as they deal with the aftermath of losing a loved one.At the time of this writing, the fundraiser is reaching its original goal of $500,000. , and donations continue to come in.

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If you have suicidal thoughts or are going through a mental health crisis, talk to someone. 988 will get you to 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Trans Lifeline at 877-565-8860. or The Trevor Project (866-488-7386). Type START on the Crisis Text Line at 741-741. Contact the NAMI Helpline at 1-800-950-NAMI, Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Eastern Time, or email us. [email protected]If you don’t like the phone, consider using 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Chat on crisischat.org.(opens in new window)Here is a list of international resources(opens in new window).