You wake up, enjoy a cup of tea, and prepare yourself for the day while the news plays in the background. Suddenly, you hear reports about the economy, crime, war, and politics which catches your attention. Before you know it, your heart starts racing, and there’s a knot in your stomach, even though you can’t quite pinpoint why.
Consider this scenario: the front page of this week’s Metro newspaper read, “10 Years to End Zombie Apocalypse” alongside a photo of 15-year-old Dejuan Campbell, the latest victim of a brutal attack in Woolwich, London. Maybe you didn’t even see the headline but heard a snippet on the news and suddenly, your thoughts spiral into dark territory. You might wonder: Am I next? Is my family safe? Just like that, anxiety takes hold. Although, nothing in your immediate environment has changed, your brain registers a threat—sound familiar?
We constantly absorb what we see and hear. For instance, you might have heard the news of a high-profile trial involving two 13-year-old-boys, who were 12 at the time accused of murdering 19-year-old Shawn Seesahai with a machete in Wolverhampton last November. Initially, you may not have given it much thought but then you find yourself feeling more cautious when you see a couple of teenagers approaching you on the street.
Of course, taking precautions is vital. But for some, it can escalate into an overwhelming fear, leading to avoidance behaviours, such as staying indoors entirely.
Despite the new law banning zombie knives and machetes that came into effect this month and the recent surrender and compensation scheme. Do the current tragedies make you wonder was it actually effective?
Instead of dwelling on what we can’t control, it’s essential to focus on what we can.
It’s perfectly normal to feel anxious or worried when confronted with disturbing news.
However, there are strategies that can help:
If you need support, don’t hesitate to reach out to our 24-hour helpline on 020 7686 6000. Or, if you prefer messaging, WhatsApp us on 020 7686 6010. An advisor is always ready to help.
Remember, you’re not alone, and help is always available.
Sources:
https://www.expressandstar.com/news/local-hubs/wolverhampton/bilston/2024/09/26/live-updates-from-court-as-12-year-old-wolverhampton-machete-murderers-are-sentenced/
https://x.com/sgfmann/status/1838665094340698211
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/nationwide-call-to-surrender-all-zombie-style-knives-and-machetes
