If you have followed the news or been online at all in the last few months, it is impossible not to have seen or heard something about the details coming out of the Epstein files. As each new batch of files is released, more and more disturbing information comes to light about the extent of child trafficking, abuse, and torture that were committed by some of the world’s richest and most powerful people.
These revelations are shocking and upsetting, but they carry an even greater weight to survivors of childhood physical and sexual abuse and trafficking. And while the majority of these events took place in other countries, South African survivors have spoken up, and prominent South African politicians and businessmen have been named in the files. This brings all the revelations even closer to home.
As 24-hour news cycles and social media inundate us with these horrifying stories and images, it is more important than ever for survivors to take care of themselves and their mental health.
If you are feeling overwhelmed or unsure how to support yourself during these times, we have compiled some suggestions on ways to protect your mental well-being.
Staying Informed Does Not Always Mean Staying Safe.
As childhood trauma survivors, many of us learn to believe that if we can stay informed and aware of what is happening around us at all times, we will be able to protect ourselves from harm. While this may be true in some situations, the reality is that constantly reading or watching content about the files and their revelations will not keep you safe in this instance.
While the general public can and should put pressure on elected officials and those in power to hold the guilty parties accountable for their actions and to strengthen our social justice system, none of us on our own has the ability to change what happened to the victims or to bring about justice for the guilty.
There is a good chance that your ‘doomscrolling’ or compulsive checking of the news is actually leading to greater feelings of helplessness and anxiety, which will only dysregulate your nervous system further. Being exposed to such violent and upsetting information can also lead to re-traumatisation, especially for those who may have experienced similar abuse.
This is not to say you should stick your head in the sand and be completely ignorant about what is happening. But if you find your mental health declining because of exposure to the news, try to limit the amount of time you spend reading or watching content about the files.
Practice Self-Care and Compassion.
Even if you limit your exposure to the news and content surrounding the files, the little you learn or follow may still be enough to trigger you. This is why it is so important to consciously make an effort to take care of yourself.
Remain compliant with your prescribed medications. See your psychologist or seek mental health support if you have not done so previously. Make an effort to eat balanced meals and stay hydrated. Try not to self-medicate with alcohol, drugs, or other harmful substances that help you feel better in the short-term, but are harmful to you in the long term.
Spend time doing activities that make you feel safe and happy, whether you are spending time with loved ones, playing a sport or a musical instrument, baking, making art, or doing anything that brings you joy. The most important aspect of self-care is having grace for yourself. Being affected by the suffering of the world does not make you weak; it shows that you care.
Find Ways to Channel Your Energy.
Being overwhelmed by negative information can often leave us feeling helpless, especially when those responsible seem to be above accountability. It is very important to find ways to channel your feelings of anger, anxiety, fear, or grief into action. This action can take different forms based on your resources, capacity, and personal preferences.
You can find an organisation that supports survivors of sexual abuse and volunteer or donate to them. You can organise a march or event to advocate for social justice reform or harsher punishment for child abuse, or find an already organised event to attend. Protest art can be just as powerful when you use your own experiences and emotions to create a piece of art, a song, or a written work expressing your emotions or advocating for those who have been harmed.
Alternatively, you can intentionally and consciously choose to focus on your own well-being and health, especially if this is something you have never learned to do.
At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter what actions you take, as long as you find a way to channel your emotions into something positive rather than give in to the feelings of helplessness and despair.
The world can sometimes feel like a dark and scary place. As childhood trauma survivors, many of us have already experienced that darkness firsthand. But, as survivors, we also know that we carry immense strength and resilience within us.
Even though we may not be able to solve all of the world’s problems individually, each of us has a sphere of influence around us that we can leave a positive impact on. In the words of Henry S. Haskins, “The darkness around us might somewhat light up if we would first practice using the light we have in the place we are.”