Journalists have been urged to take note and take care of their mental health to be able to give their best at work.
Journalists and health practitioners gave the advice at a mental health workshop for journalists organised by the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism
Kofoworola Bello-Osagie, a journalist with The Conversation, spoke about how stress impacts physical health, and emotional well-being, directly affecting personal and work life.
She noted that the nights of depriving oneself of sleep to work, irregular eating patterns, the constant pressure to meet deadlines and other occupational exposure to risks, directly and indirectly, affect the health of journalists. Unfortunately, journalists are ignorant of its manifestation.
While noting many other stressors in the line of work for journalists Bello-Osagie advises journalists to keep checking their stressors and create time to de-stress, eat a balanced diet regularly, and always go for health check-ups, most especially for high blood pressure.
Another panellist in the workshop, Juliana Francis, the Deputy Editor of Eagle Online, used her personal experiences of harassment and gender-based violence even as a female reporter to explain how exposed to trauma journalists are on their job.
She recalled an incident where she was harassed by a police officer in his office during an interview as something she hadn’t been able to get out of her mind after several years.
She also spoke on how the beat a journalist covers exposes him or her to violence, attacks, threats and abuse.
“In a traditional newsroom, you are expected to cover so many beats, which ends up putting you under pressure, and most people in the office refuse to listen to what you went through or what you have to say because they believe you are being excused not to do the job.” She said.
Many journalists have lost their lives and even loved ones in the line of work or because of their work. Secondary trauma that journalists and even editors are exposed to affects their mental health and journalists and their employers need to put adequate measures in place for psychosocial support against the adverse effects of these traumas.
Busola Ajibola, Deputy Director Journalism Program at the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) also added that state actors are the main penetrators of attacks on journalists. She noted that her organisation has tracked 1119 attacks on journalists in Nigeria from 1985 to 2024.
“We have had 15 attacks this year on journalism, and the impact of harassment on the children of journalists should be done, and we will be surprised at the outcome,” Busola said as she advised journalists to report human rights violations against themselves and others.
Human Resource Management expert Oluwakemi Shonubi of TVC explained why media houses should pay attention to their staff’s mental health. She said if they don’t, it can decrease productivity because staff won’t be able to deliver, and it could pose legal and reputational risks to the organisation.
She spoke against media houses with negative organisational cultures, that is, those that do not take care of their people, their well-being, and their wellness. She advised organisations to conduct health checks and advised journalists to prepare for retirement.
Chinyereugo Onyekwere, the senior clinical psychologist of Neem Foundation, with her expertise in helping journalists deal with mental health issues noted the importance of mental wellbeing at every stage of life, from childhood to adolescence and then to adulthood.
She elaborated on the type of stress journalists experience: high-pressure situations, constant pursuit of information and accuracy, and engagement with sensitive information.
“The intense nature of your work and a lack of balance in your personal and work life can lead to exhaustion, withdrawal, and lack of productivity” Onyekwere noted.
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She also listed some signs that show journalists are struggling with mental health issues, which are,
• Inability to cope with daily problems or stress.
• Trouble understanding and relating to information or people.
• Problem with alcohol or drug use.
• Major changes in eating habits.
• Excessive anger, hostility, or violence.
• Sex drive changes.
• Suicidal thinking.
She added how to take care of your mental health.
• Prioritize taking care of yourself
• Establish boundaries
• Identify your stressors or signs
• Organizational culture and policies
• Build a solid social support system
• Adopt a healthy lifestyle
• Engaging in activities outside of work
• Seek psychological support
