Today we were joined by Steven Luke and Monica Dean.  Both work at San Diego NBC 7.   For more information on our guests click below.

https://www.nbcsandiego.com/on-air/about-us/Monica_Dean.html

https://www.nbcsandiego.com/on-air/about-us/Steven_Luke.html

Good News in a Bad News World

How does bad news effect our outlook?  Are there some real psychological effects?

CNN A J Willingham  put it like this

This constant churn of harrowing news is physically and psychologically unhealthy, and you don’t need to be directly involved in a tragedy to feel its effects. To the concerned viewer, this pain can feel unavoidable or even necessary. It might be a little bit of both.

Dr. Pam Ramsden, a lecturer in psychology at the University of Bradford in the UK, has studied the psychological effects of consuming negative news from social media. She says this vicarious trauma affects a portion of the viewing public and though it is not a specific diagnosis, she has seen patterns similar to those that plague first responders — nurses, doctors, emergency medical technicians and the like.

“Some individuals are left with post-traumatic stress and must be professionally treated, others are affected a short time with acute stress disorder,” Ramsden said.

“With some of these individuals requiring professional help, I doubt they will get it, Because how do you go to a mental health provider and tell them that YouTube videos have left you traumatized so that you can’t sleep and have nightmares?”

How do we people not get depressed by the bad news we hear every day? 

What do you think a healthy reaction is?

Ali Dixon, a counselor who practices at the Anxiety & Stress Management Institute in Atlanta says”It’s common to feel guilty when our lives are going well, and we see so much devastation around us, One reason this occurs is because we feel out of control and wish we could help. If we can continue to engage in activities that create positive energy for us, we can in turn give that positive energy back to the world around us.”

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.  Philippians 4

Here are some reactions to bad news.  Let’s take a moment to talk about them.

Prayer

Thanksgiving

Think on what is good

Allow yourself to feel bad and grow from it. AJ Willingham, CNN

Why is it important to not turn a deaf ear to bad news?  Sometimes we need to remember the bad news so that we can get some perspective on what’s important in life.

We didn’t talk about this on the show but here’s a great story about Bryan Stephenson, author of the book, Just Mercy.

Bryan Stephenson spearheaded a move to build an Alabama memorial dedicated to thousands of African-American men, women and children lynched over a 70-year period following the Civil War

Bryan Stevenson is determined to shed light on a dark period in our past that most people would rather forget. It’s a shocking and disturbing reality that lynchings were not isolated murders committed only by men in white hoods in the middle of the night. Often, they were public crimes, witnessed — even celebrated — by thousands of people. Stevenson believes if we want to heal racial divisions we must educate Americans — of every color and creed.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/inside-the-memorial-to-victims-of-lynching-60-minutes-oprah-winfrey/

Let’s end by telling some good stories. The stories that stand out the most are the ones about people who have taken adverse circumstances and responded in a particular way…the ones who have found HOPE.  Examples.

Here is Steve’s story on John Baca.  Give it a watch.  Truly inspirational.

https://www.nbcsandiego.com/on-air/as-seen-on/NEWMedalofHonorPKG_San-Diego-240324761.html