The assassination of Charlie Kirk is a devastating tragedy that has left many of us in shock. Tragic, highly public events such as this are quite upsetting. In our always-connected digital world, it didn’t take long for images and even video of the incident to begin circulating online.
High school students have reported being exposed to the highly graphic video of his death through Tik Tok and other social media sites, without even searching for the video or intending to view it. The vidoe was placed automatically in their feed as a top recommendation.
For years, social media has been a breeding ground for outrage, a space where political opponents are not just debated, but dehumanized. Rage bait videos drive engagement – and thus revenue – for those who post them. This culture of contempt, amplified by algorithms that reward division, has a profound and dangerous impact on our collective mental health.
The tragic death of a public figure like Charlie Kirk is a stark and painful reminder that what we see online is not contained within our screens. There can be real-world impacts, which affect us deeply. The antagonistic nature of online discourse can lead to anxiety, depression, and a feeling of being perpetually on edge, similar to PTSD.
In the wake of this tragedy, we at Colorado Psychiatry Solutions want to issue a clear and urgent call to action. While the political and law enforcement communities work to address the root causes of this violence, we must all take responsibility for our own mental well-being and the health of our communities.
If you are feeling overwhelmed, angry, anxious, or distressed by the state of our world, please seek help from a qualified mental health provider. It can be too easy to ignore real issues with your mental health until it becomes overwhelming. Don’t wait until things become worse. You have a higher chance of a successful outcome the earlier you are seen.
And if you are a parent, please talk to your children about this event and how they are processing it. They may have been inadvertently exposed to highly graphic images or video that they were not prepared for. They may require counseling or psychiatric help to recover. At Colorado Psychiatry Solutions, we welcome patients aged 14 and older. We can help your teen address issues with depression, anxiety, nightmares, or other symptoms they may be experiencing.
If you or a family member is struggling, don’t let the darkness of this moment consume you. Reach out, talk to a professional, and take the first step toward healing. Your mental health matters, and we are here to help.
