How News Consumption Affects Mental Health: Finding a Balanced Approach 

In today’s fast-paced world, news spreads rapidly, often reaching us unfiltered and in real-time. This constant influx of information can be overwhelming, with distressing headlines lingering in our minds and affecting our emotional well-being. Yet, staying informed remains essential for civic responsibility and social awareness. How do we strike a balance between awareness and mental health? 

As a mental health non-profit, we aim to help people understand the impact of news consumption on well-being. Our goal isn’t to tell you how much or how little news to consume, but to offer tools for making informed decisions that align with your mental health, values, and capacity. 

The Psychological Impact of News Consumption 

Studies suggest that regular exposure to news, particularly distressing content, can lead to increased stress, anxiety, and even symptoms of depression. Research published in Health Communication (2022) found that individuals who frequently consumed crisis-related news reported higher levels of emotional distress. This phenomenon, sometimes referred to as “doomscrolling,” has been shown to amplify feelings of helplessness and worry, especially during prolonged crises such as pandemics or political unrest. 

The emotional dimensions of news can uniquely trigger individuals based on their past experiences, personal identities, and psychological resilience. A study in Political Communication (2022) highlights how news about violence, social injustice, and economic instability can disproportionately affect marginalized communities, individuals with trauma histories, or those with pre-existing mental health conditions. 

Different Engagement Styles: Avoidance, Immersion, and a Middle Ground 

People react to news in different ways, and all of these reactions are valid. Some individuals avoid news altogether as a means of self-preservation, while others feel compelled to engage deeply in current events to fulfill their sense of responsibility. Many find themselves oscillating between these extremes, depending on personal circumstances and the nature of the news cycle. Neither approach is inherently right or wrong. 

These patterns of engagement do not necessarily reflect a person’s morality or level of civic duty. Choosing to step back from distressing news does not automatically mean someone is uninformed or disengaged; rather, it may be a necessary act of self-care. Similarly, immersing oneself in news coverage can be empowering for some, but exhausting for others.  

The key is understanding what level of news consumption sustainably supports—not harms—one’s mental health and ability to contribute meaningfully to their community. This level can fluctuate and does not always remain consistent—and that’s completely natural. 

Strategies for Mindful News Consumption 

To maintain a balanced relationship with news, consider these approaches: 

1. Set time limits: Instead of passively consuming news throughout the day, designate specific times for checking the news. Research suggests that setting boundaries can reduce anxiety and prevent information overload. 

2. Curate your sources: Choose reliable news outlets that align with your informational needs while minimizing sensationalized or alarmist content. Academic research supports the idea that fact-based journalism, as opposed to emotionally charged or biased reporting, reduces unnecessary distress. 

3. Explore different perspectives: Reading news from diverse sources can provide a more well-rounded understanding of current events while preventing an echo-chamber effect. Seeking balanced journalism that presents multiple sides of an issue can help individuals feel more informed and less emotionally reactive. 

4. Incorporate constructive and solutions-oriented journalism: Engaging with news that highlights solutions, innovations, progress, or uplifting stories, rather than just crises and conflicts can foster a sense of empowerment, agency, and community action rather than despair. 

5. Recognize emotional triggers: Pay attention to how different types of news impact your mood and mental state. If specific topics cause significant distress, consider limiting exposure to those themes or engaging with them in ways that feel more empowering. 

6. Take breaks when needed: Mental health professionals emphasize the importance of stepping away from media when it becomes overwhelming. A temporary break does not equate to ignorance but rather allows individuals to process information without burnout. 

Taking Ownership of Your Media Engagement 

This conversation is not about whether people should watch the news more or less—it is about recognizing the influence news has on mental health and making informed, conscious choices about news consumption. A healthy balance allows us to participate in discussions and advocacy from a place of resilience rather than burnout. 

By prioritizing our mental health and well-being, we strengthen ourselves while also expanding our capacity to support and uplift others. When we care for our own well-being, we bring greater clarity, energy, and compassion to the communities we engage with. Ultimately, when our mental and emotional reserves are full, we are better equipped to give to others and contribute to a healthier, more connected society. 

Engage with us 

If you found this blog post valuable or insightful, we invite you to engage with us further. You can attend our Spring Wellness Workshops, or access mental health programs such as Counselling, Peer Assisted Care Team, Steps Youth, or Social Support Groups to support your well-being. 

Additionally, if you believe in our mission of fostering mental wellness in our community, consider supporting us through a one-time or ongoing donation. Your contribution helps us continue offering vital mental health programs, educational workshops, resources, and other forms of community-based mental health support. 

To stay connected and receive more resources and mental health related updates from our branch, please sign up for our newsletter here. You can also support our work by becoming a member of CMHA North and West Vancouver by signing up at this link. Your support means the world to us and helps ensure we can continue providing the vital mental health services that make a real difference in our community. 

Additional Resources  

For more guidance on navigating distressing news: 

• Finding Hope in Uncertain Times: Five Tips on Coping with Change 

• Distressing World News & Mental Health 

• How to Tolerate Uncertainty 

References 

1. Melki, J., Tamim, H., Hadid, D., Farhat, S., Makki, M., Hitti, E., & Ghandour, L. (2022). Mitigating infodemics: The relationship between news exposure and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic. Health Communication, 37(12), 1488-1498. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10410236.2022.2106086  

2. Skurka, C., Niederdeppe, J., Winett, L., & Avery, R. J. (2024). The unintended mental health consequences of news consumption: Doomscrolling and its psychological toll. Health Communication. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10410236.2024.2434955 

3. Kleemans, M., Eggink, E., & Buijzen, M. (2022). News consumption and emotional responses: How political news impacts mental well-being. Political Communication, 39(4), 521-540. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10584609.2022.2123073