Should I watch the Tyre Nichols video? Here's advice from a noted trauma expert

Now that the video of the Memphis police killing of Tyre Nichols is public, people should consider the trauma of viewing the disturbing video and the possible lasting effects.

What is the impact of watching videos of graphic real-life violence?

Dr. Amanda J. Calhoun, an expert in the psychological effect of trauma, says that both adults and adolescents, especially Black people, should carefully consider before consuming videos of police violence.

What would you see in the Tyre Nichols body camera footage?

Memphis officials released four videos showing five police officers beating Nichols to death. Nichols' stepfather warned that the video contained "horrific content."

Renowned civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump described the video as an “unadulterated, unabashed, nonstop beating” for three minutes.

Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn 'CJ' Davis warned that the video showing officers beating Nichols is "possibly worse" than the footage showing Rodney King being beaten by Los Angeles police 30 years ago.

Calhoun told Knox News "I fully support the use of body camera footage as evidence and I think it's important to have that available. But I have a lot of concerns about these videos being circulated for further desensitization that I think American society has for Black killing."

Should you watch the Tyre Nichols video?

Calhoun says watching police brutality videos, especially if you're Black, can cause mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. 

"It is actually well documented that Black people are more likely than white people to have these adverse mental effects from highly publicized police killings of Black people. And it actually can trigger days of poor mental health," Calhoun told Knox News.

"For those who are thinking about watching this video, I think that they should be aware that it might cause them to have some days of symptoms. And not just sadness, but things like irritability, which is another depressive symptom. It is OK for people, especially Black people not to watch this video.

"I want people to think about the fact that while this is real, there's a real problem with the fact that we're just seeing Black people graphically killed so much. There is a desensitization of Black death. I think if you're feeling drawn to watch the video because you feel you want to see it with your own two eyes, to vicariously experience what this man went through, it's OK to watch it, but to be mindful of what can come from that."

Should children watch the video?

"I think it depends on the child, what the child wants to do, and what you think your child can handle," Calhoun said. "Kids may be learning about this at school. These conversations are going on all over social media.

"And so for parents, especially Black parents, I would say to start by having a conversation with your child. Ask them if they have already heard about this. Figuring out firsthand if your child has heard about it is extremely important. With the presence of social media, it can be challenging. Adolescents and children are exposed to things so quickly and immediately without a lot of preparation.

"If your child has a history of being impacted by this to a point where it is limiting their function, such as difficulty going to school or coming home very upset, I would probably caution parents to think about having a conversation with their child. They don't have to watch this video, give them permission not to. Maybe you wait to watch it, or maybe you don't watch it at all. I think giving adults and children the ability to have a choice is good.

"If your child is really pushing you to watch it, I would encourage parents to watch it with them."

What are the short- and long-term psychological effects of watching these types of videos?

"I think for non-Black people, it may lead to the desensitization of Black death and the continued apathy and coldness toward Black people being murdered," Calhoun said.

"I would say for Black people it can have a rippling effect. To watch these videos over and over again, where as a Black person you are at a higher risk of this happening to you in your life, it can very much lead to long-term symptoms.

"For many people, after watching the video they might feel anger or sadness and then those symptoms will go away, but for some people, they may watch the video and find that they have trouble going to work or completing certain tasks as symptoms persist.

"It is very possible that these continued videos can trigger and lead to long-standing mental health issues like depression, PTSD, and anxiety disorders. There are also symptoms that people don't always think about as a result of racial trauma, which can be disordered eating patterns, alcohol, and substance abuse.

"If you find that you're having trouble in any of these areas, we need to urge people to seek out a mental health professional.

"I think we really need more research as well to the effects that this is having on the Black community. I think we are going to experience a long-standing impact and we need to track it and help to develop targeted interventions."

What are some best practices for managing emotions and feelings about videos and images of police brutality?

"Check in with your feelings, and give yourself space to feel them. Don't avoid it or pretend that they aren't there," Calhoun said. "Whether it's angry, or sad allow yourself to have that space to feel it.

"Also think about things that provide you comfort and joy, like going on a walk with or watching a silly movie that you really like with a friend or family member. Reading a book, calling a friend, just really kind of thinking about sort of some rewarding and positive activities that you can do.

"I tell patients to make a list of comforting things so that when they're actually in the moment they can pick one and just do it.

"Eating healthy nutritious foods, getting some fresh air and sunlight, taking your vitamins, all these things are really important.

"As busy individuals, our bodies can keep going and going so just remember that your body and mind need recharging. Sometimes you don't need to do anything productive at all and just rest, and that's OK, too."

Angela Dennis is the Knox News social justice, race and equity reporter. You can reach her by email at angela.dennis@knoxnews.com or by phone at 865-407-9712. Follow her on Twitter @AngeladWrites; Instagram @angeladenniswrites; and Facebook at Angela Dennis Journalist.