By K. Monroe Carter
A 17 year old faces capital murder charges after a deadly standoff in Simpson County left two people dead and a deputy shot. The incident shocked families across Mississippi. As details spread through news reports and social media, many people are asking: How much is too much? What does all this violence do to our minds?
You are not alone if you feel drained after reading the latest updates. Mental health experts say consuming too much violent or traumatic news changes how you feel, think, and sleep.
How Toxic News Affects Your Psyche
When you see disturbing headlines or graphic footage, your body reacts as if you are in immediate danger. Your brain releases adrenaline and cortisol, which are the fight or flight stress hormones. This response triggers physical symptoms:
- Rapid heart rate
- Shallow breathing
- Stomach upset
- Feeling on edge or irritable
- Trouble concentrating
Over time, constant exposure to tragic news causes vicarious trauma. This happens when your brain responds as if you directly experienced the event yourself. It leads to constant anxiety, nightmares, emotional numbness, and emotional fatigue.
One study found that people showed increased anxiety and depression symptoms after just 14 minutes of news consumption. A recent survey showed that nearly 100% of therapists believe reading or watching the news can harm mental health. Endlessly scrolling through negative updates, a habit known as doomscrolling, causes the most damage, especially for people with past trauma.
Why This Matters Right Now
With the recent tragedy in Simpson County and the passage of Senate Bill 2710, which automatically tries juveniles as adults for firearm crimes, it is easy to feel overwhelmed. Rep. Kabir Karriem, chairman of the Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus, warned that a teenager who picks up a gun now faces adult prison, a permanent criminal record, and a ruined future.
DeSoto County Sheriff Thomas E. Tuggle II also urged parents to have hard conversations with their kids, noting that a split second decision can lead to decades behind bars. But those conversations themselves feel heavy. Reading about the consequences and watching video footage makes community anxiety worse.
How to Protect Your Mental Health
Mental health experts say you do not have to cut out the news completely. Instead, you need healthy boundaries. Try these strategies:
- Limit your consumption: Limit your news intake to a maximum of 30 minutes per day. Set a specific time window to check updates, and stick to it.
- Avoid news before bed: Stop reading updates at least one hour before bedtime. Your mood is more sensitive at night, and graphic details disrupt sleep cycles.
- Choose print over video: Reading articles triggers less anxiety than watching video. Written text relies less on raw, disturbing imagery.
- Be selective about sources: Stick to reputable outlets that report responsibly. Avoid alarmist speculation and unverified social media posts.
- Take mental health breaks: Disconnect for a day, a week, or longer if you feel overwhelmed.
- Practice grounding: When a story upsets you, take deep breaths, go for a walk, or look around and name five things you can see to bring your mind back to safety.
- Talk about it: Process your feelings with a therapist, trusted friend, or support group to reduce the emotional burden.
Mississippi Mental Health Resources That Can Help
If you or a loved one needs support, Mississippi offers free and low-cost resources:
- Crisis Support (24/7, Free, Confidential): Call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, or chat online at 988lifeline.org. It is free, confidential, and available for mental health crises or emotional distress.
- Free Counseling for All Ages: The COPE Clinic at the University of Mississippi offers free counseling to residents dealing with stress, anxiety, or trauma. Call 662-915-7197 or email cope@olemiss.edu.
- Children and Youth Services: Contact the Mississippi Department of Mental Health Office of Consumer Supports at 1-877-210-8513.
- Mobile Crisis Response Teams: If you need an immediate local crisis team, call your regional hotline:
- Region 2: 866-837-7521
- Region 3: 866-255-9986
- Region 4: 888-287-4443
- Region 12 (Covington, Forrest, Jones, Lamar, Pearl River): 800-681-0798
- Crisis Stabilization Units:
- Brandon: 601-724-9444
- Brookhaven (near Simpson County): 601-823-2300
- Jackson: 769-257-6288
The Bottom Line
You care about your community and want to stay informed, but your mental health matters. After a tragedy like the one in Simpson County, feeling shaken is completely normal.
Parents must teach their children about accountability and responsibility, but they must also protect young minds from constant exposure to violence. As Sheriff Tuggle noted, children should enjoy their youth without destroying their future. That includes protecting their mental health while they are still young enough to learn, grow, and change.
