Behind the headlines and breaking news, a hidden crisis looms in newsrooms worldwide: the growing mental health struggles of journalists.
This was the experience of Umar Audu, an investigative journalist for Daily Nigeria, who suffered from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) for three months after an investigation in Kaduna during the early stage of his career.
Audu shared his ordeal during the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) Conversation on Tuesday, September 17 on X (formerly Twitter). The virtual discussion focused on “Breaking the Silence and Addressing Mental Health Challenges in the Media,” emphasising the often-unseen struggles behind the scenes of journalism.
Panellists at the Journalism and Society Conversation moderated by Programme Director, Clearview TV, Nten Ekpang also included President of the Heartrose, Mrs Esther Adekoye and Assistant Manager News, Nigeria Television Authority, NTA, Fortunate Ozo.
In a 2010 speech, Bruce Shapiro, executive director of the Dart Center for Journalism & Trauma, highlighted that journalists are vulnerable to psychological injury.
“Journalists are a resilient tribe… but we are also vulnerable to psychological injury, no less so than fire-fighters, police officers, paramedics, or soldiers—and we need training, psychological support, and leadership aware of these issues,” Shapiro stated.
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Research has shown that journalists are increasingly prone to psychological disorders such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other mental health issues. These problems, once thought to primarily affect war,
Ozo in her contribution shared her experience with mental stress, which tragically led to a miscarriage. She stressed the importance of creating a safe newsroom environment where mental health can be openly discussed.
She advocated for establishing functional mental health desks, staffed by professionals, to detect and address mental health issues among workers.
Ozo also highlighted the need for a healthy working relationship between employers and employees, and the provision of recreational facilities to foster a positive mental outlook.
Adekoya, an Emotional Health Therapist recommended meditation, helping others, building support systems with friends and family, and most importantly, developing resilience as ways journalists can care for their mental health and help their colleagues.
When journalists face mental strain, it doesn’t just affect them—it impacts the integrity and depth of the stories they tell, leaving critical narratives untold. This is why creating safe, supportive environments for journalists is no longer optional—it’s essential to preserving the future of free, truthful, and resilient journalism.
