A close-up of a girl looking to the left while she pulls her jumper up to cover her mouth.

A lot of scary things have happened around the world over the last few years - from a global pandemic to ongoing wars in different countries.

Seeing the bad news on our TVs, phones and newspapers can be upsetting and it’s important to know that it’s okay to feel upset about it. You’re not alone in feeling that way.

The thing is, not every news story can be positive and the reason it’s “news” is because it doesn’t happen often and is affecting a lot of people. 

Here are some things you can do to help deal with the negative things you’re seeing:

1. Talk about it 

Feeling upset or anxious is a very natural reaction and if you’re upset by what you see, it’s a good idea to talk it through with a grown up you trust like your parents, aunt, uncle or teacher.

Of course, if you’d prefer not to talk about it, that’s okay too. 

2. Get your news from a credible source

If you decide to look the story up online, make sure to get your information from a reputable source. Pay attention to who is publishing the article or video and stick to well-known and well-regarded news sources.

3. Distract yourself 

It’s okay if you don’t want to think about what’s happening around the world right now. If you find yourself getting overwhelmed, it’s a good idea to distract yourself by reading your favourite books, playing a game, watching something funny or just talking with your friends about something light-hearted.

4. Do something practical to help

Every single person can make a difference in this world, including you. If you feel sad about what’s happening in the news, why not do something practical to help the situation? You could organise a fundraiser like a sponsored walk or run or have a collection for supplies to send to the affected country.

5. Remember that good things can come from bad events

It’s also good to remember that even in the darkest times, good things can happen. For example, we are reminded of how wonderful humanity can be when we see how people come together to help others.

We appreciate the courageous efforts of the emergency services who work tirelessly to help those who are most in need. And we hear incredible stories of bravery, love, family and heroism from a country that we might otherwise not know a lot about at all.

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