Ukraine conflict: How to help yourself, your kids, and others

Indianapolis, Indiana — The war in Ukraine, became headline news in the United States.

According to a new Harris Poll survey of American adults, 84% say that the Russian invasion of Ukraine is ‘terrifying to watch.’ Almost 70% of respondents say they are worried the invasion of Ukraine is going to lead to nuclear war, and the same percentage say they fear that we are at the beginning stages of World War III.

According to the American Psychological Association, U.S. adults “appear to be emotionally overwhelmed and showing signs of fatigue.”

Dr. Danielle Henderson, the clinical psychologist with Indiana University Health says that when it comes to news about Ukraine or other stressful topics, it’s important to think about what you are comfortable with, says.

“Do you feel like you can tolerate watching the news stories, seeing the images? Or, do you feel like maybe it’s better if I just read a news article about it or listen to a news article about it rather than having to see images?” Henderson said. “Or, do I feel that it’s maybe it’s best if somebody else tells me about the information and tells me just exactly what I need to know?”

Other ways to stay informed without getting overwhelmed include:

• Keep things in perspective
• Exert control where you can
• Limit your media exposure
• Find credible sources
• Support people in Ukraine

For parents who struggle to talk to their children about the war in Ukraine, Henderson suggests starting first with yourself and how you are processing the events.

“How am I feeling about all of this? So, that when questions come, when we’re having conversations, I feel like I know where I am in this,” Henderson said. “First, I think asking questions, you know, ‘What are you hearing about this? What have you heard? What have you seen? How does that make you feel? What are you thinking? What are your friends saying about it?’ Then you can get that dialogue going in the house and then also set limits with their media as well.”