Considering the intensity of media work, there is an increasing need for journalists to pay attention to learning and caring for their mental health to maintain their sanity and enhance their productivity. They must learn to manage their health as they face the daily challenge of performing their watchdog role.
While in the constant race to tell the story, beat the deadline, hold authorities to account, drive crucial development conversations, be the voice of the voiceless, promote diversity and inclusion, and still try to keep safe and also live human life, journalists face a high level of stress that defines their lives. It is even on a different level for those on the field, reporting from the ground in conflict zones or volatile areas.
As Investigative journalist Justina Asishana at a recent mental health conversation by the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) with the theme “Doing 2025 differently; Self-care and Work-Life balance for Investigative Journalists that ,” Investigative journalists each day battle with limited resources to uncover the hidden truth.”
“Covering stories regarding conflict and human rights abuses can be very traumatic. Reporting the plight of internally displaced persons and kidnapping victims is always devastating, repeating the same story each day can be depressing,” she stated.
Although many journalists usually regard challenges they face on the job as occupational hazards, it is pertinent for journalists to always keep in mind the importance of taking their health, especially mental health, seriously.
Ashishana who is the Niger State Correspondent of The Nation Newspaper said journalists are usually in a constant state of alert while on the field and think about their safety and that of their loved ones.
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“It is crucial to know that while we work, we also prioritise our mental health and make time for activities that make us relax. If we do not prioritise our self-care, we may experience burnout and face anxiety attacks. We must seek support, and speak to trusted colleagues, friends, counsellors and people in our inner circle. We should set a boundary between work life and personal life as journalists. We should know when to take a break,” she emphasised.
Taking a break is especially important because, at certain points, journalists get burnt out. Burnouts for journalists are more common than they often admit. This is because many journalists don’t even recognize when they are burned out. Unlike the popular Trauma, PTSD, Anxiety and Depression which are usually easily recognized burnout can be confused with the popular writer’s block, or lack of creative juice, whereas when drained to the last drop many may not be able to the work again. At this point taking a much-needed break is essential.
Newsroom and organisational culture play a great role in journalists’ mental health. The habit of only asking for reports and not the reporter; following up the story and not the storyteller’s health; training journalists how to do the work and not how to manage the demands of the work.
Veteran journalist and former Provost of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Gbemiga Ogunleye, who was also a speaker at the webinar noted that it’s unfortunate that there are very few training and workshops for journalists on mental and health issues.
“This is not our tradition, but I think the various HR personnel in our newsrooms should be interested in this. As a matter of policy, they should invite therapists and counsellors to the newsrooms or ask journalists and news managers to go and see them.”
While the media cum legal practitioner hinted at a solution to the problem, calling for an organizational policy to be upheld by the HR of media houses, one would ask, what about small newsrooms running on a lean team, or even independent publishers or freelance journalists? Who will be their HR upholding the recommended policy?
Here is where adequate individual awareness is important: Know your health status, learn more about mental health, the symptoms of certain issues and their triggers, and learn how and when to seek help.
Being part of a support group is also very important for journalists or small newsrooms. There are media support organizations or health organizations that provide mental health support for journalists free of charge or at a very subsidized rate. Some things won’t be adequately addressed without the help of a professional.
Journalists must inculcate a culture of managing stress, taking care of one’s health, and seeking professional help when needed. This is especially important in this current climate, where the numerator of the improper fraction keeps increasing by the day.
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