Managing the impact of triggering news

While it can be important to stay up to date on what’s happening in your community and around the country, the endless consumption of world events can lead to significantly impacting a veteran’s mental health.  

The impact of triggering news 

Many veterans have lived experience with trauma, including war, conflict zones or disaster response, making them more susceptible to being re-triggered by graphic or emotionally charged content.  

News stories involving violence, terrorism, military conflict or political unrest can evoke powerful memories or associations, leading to emotion dysregulation and reactivation of trauma responses. 

In the short-term, this exposure can cause heightened anxiety, irritability, hypervigilance, sleep disruption and intrusive thoughts. It may also lead to emotional overwhelm or avoidance behaviours such as social disengagement. 

Over time, repeated exposure can erode psychological resilience, potentially worsening symptoms of PTSD and other mental health conditions, as well as moral injury. Long-term impacts may include increased social isolation, substance misuse as a coping mechanism, or disengagement from recovery-oriented activities, impeding recovery or reintegration.    

Helpful coping strategies for veterans 

If a particular news story has triggered you, here are some ways to work through the emotions it has raised: 

• Practising grounding techniques such as deep breathing, sensory exercises or physical movement can help you stay present when triggered. Mindfulness and relaxation practices can reduce anxiety and reactivity over time. 
• Journaling or talking through emotional responses with a trusted person can help process difficult feelings constructively.  
• Stay engaged in structured daily routines, social activities and therapeutic supports to build resilience and buffers against emotional overwhelm.  

Importantly, recognising personal warning signs such as sleep disturbances, increased irritability or avoidance behaviours can help you to know when to step back and seek support.  

In these moments, reaching out to a clinician, peer mentor or support service like Mates4Mates can make a meaningful difference in managing your mental health and reinforcing positive coping mechanisms. 

Healthy ways to consume news and media 

Veterans can stay informed without becoming emotionally overwhelmed by adopting healthier, more intentional news consumption habits. This may include: 

• Limiting how frequently you access news updates, setting specific times during the day to engage with media, and avoiding emotionally charged content late at night.  
• Choosing factual, non-sensationalist news outlets, designating media-free periods, and balancing distressing stories with positive or solution-focused content can help you maintain emotional balance.  
• Consuming news alongside calming activities or discussing it with trusted others in supportive environments can further buffer against negative emotional impact.  
• Utilising curated news sources, opting for written summaries rather than graphic videos, and enabling content warnings where available, can also reduce the risk of overwhelm. 

Establishing these boundaries fosters a sense of control over when and how you consume information, which is essential in managing trauma-related triggers effectively. 

Support at Mates4Mates 

Mates4Mates can provide vital support through tailored mental health services, peer-support programs, and social connection opportunities. 

Through these services, veterans receive practical tools and emotional connection that help them manage stress, reduce isolation and cope with triggers related to distressing news and events.  

This holistic support fosters mental wellbeing and helps veterans stay engaged and connected in a safe, supportive environment. 

To find out more about how Mates4Mates can help support you, reach out to us on 1300 4 MATES (62 837) for a confidential chat.     

Written by Ann-Marie Trinh, Mates4Mates Psychologist