We can’t give 1:1 or emergency support for people in a crisis. If this is what you need right now, you can find ways to access it on our website.
I need urgent helpThe current conflict around the world may bring up many difficult feelings for us.
This page explores how you can protect your mental health and focus on your wellbeing.
It's ok to have difficult feelings
You might be feeling a range of difficult emotions right now. These are valid.
You might be feeling:
- Anxious or worried about how the conflict may affect us or our loved ones
- Overwhelmed or stressed by the conflict dominating the news
- Angry or frustrated, for example, about injustice
- Sad or upset for those affected
- Pressured to always stay informed - and guilty when we can't
- Traumatised – as seeing other people experiencing violence or grief can bring up painful feelings and traumatic memories from our own lives
- Isolated, conflicted or suspicious of others – for example when other people hold opinions you don't share
- Unable to switch off or stop scrolling – even though it might be making us feel worse
How can I protect my mental health?
There are some practicial tips you can try to help protect your wellbeing:
- Set boundaries with your news habits – for example, only looking at the news at a certain time of day, or for a set amount of time
- Find news sources you can trust. When you’re looking at content about the content, it might help to think about: Who wrote or posted it? Have you heard of them before? What other types of things have they published?
- Have the facts been checked?
- Are multiple trusted sources sharing the story?
- Is there any proof?
- Is it fact or opinion?
- Talk to someone you trust about how you’re feeling. This could be a friend or family member, or a listening service like the Samaritans or Minds Infoline.
What action can I take?
For some people, taking action can help them to feel more in control. You can take action by:
- Volunteering or donating – details of how to volunteer or donate safely are on the GOV.UK website. The British Red Cross advertises volunteering opportunities on its website
- Contact the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office on 020 7008 5000 if you’re in the UK and concerned about a friend or family member who is in Israel or the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs)
- Read the British Red Cross’s information on how they are responding to the conflict in the Middle East: https://www.redcross.org.uk/stories/disasters-and-emergencies/world/middle-east-crisis-2026
- Write to your MP to express your concerns
What if I've experienced a hate crime in the UK?
If you’ve experienced or witnessed a hate crime as a result of the conflict, you could:
- Find information and reporting options through Stop Hate UK or True Vision.
- Find more organisations who can support with experiences of discrimination and hate crimes in our information about racism and mental health.
How to talk about it safely
It's ok to share your feelings on Side by Side. For example:
"I feel scared about what's happening now."
"The news makes me so anxious."
It's not ok to share statements, your opinions, or speculate, as it can cause worry. For example:
"War is coming!"
"X has bombed X"