Mental Health & Natural Disasters

Over on PsychCentral, Chato B. Stewart discusses “triggers” and the media coverage of the earthquake/tsunami disaster in Japan on his blog “Mental Health Humor.”

Triggers are anything that is activated by the 5 senses that allows a person to recall a tragic event or flashback to that event and thus may cause them distress. Stewart’s argument is that the constant media coverage and social media live updates have created instant, continuous triggers that could do harm to our mental stability over time causing depression, anxiety, or stress. Avoiding the media altogether is not the point, because it’s beneficial to stay updated on current events. However, it is the extreme, overexposure that is key. Ongoing exposure may make us sad and feel useless that we can’t help, thus causing a variety of mental health concerns, although none extremely serious.

Is this a valid concern? Do people’s emotional reactions to tragic events like the tsunami, Hurricane Katrina or the earthquake in Haiti trigger memories or thoughts that might have harmful effects on them? What if the person has no recollection of a tragic event and thus has no triggered memories? Would the coverage still make them sad, depressed, or, possibly outraged? Perhaps, initially, because the event is new, fresh, and on everyone’s minds and the emotional punch is heavy.

But what about the constant news coverage, tweets, blog posts, and Facebook pages that pop up everywhere you turn with the pictures, videos, and sad stories? Does it continue to affect you like Stewart argues or, could it go the other way and desensitize a person to the point that he feels nothing?

I’m no mental health expert, nor do I pretend to be, so I can’t give a definite answer. I can give my thoughts, however. It seems that Stewart’s argument would make sense among those who have suffered a similar fate or know someone who did. The event sets off a tragic memory causing all kinds of varied emotions which could have impacts on their mental health.

For the average person who hasn’t experienced something like a natural disaster, the initial viewing and maybe a couple more after will probably make him sad, upset, angry,etc. However, the abundance of information and constant exposure following those initial breaking news stories may become so repetitive or monotonous to the audience that it loses its initial emotional punch. Sure, people may continue to be sad or angry, but does it affect their daily lives or cause harm to their mental health? Probably not, but again, I’m not an expert.

To read Stewart’s full article go here.