Experts emphasise mental health support for media employees

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Mental health experts have urged media employers to provide periodic training and counselling support to their staff, especially journalists covering crime, disaster and trauma-related beats.

MENTAL health experts have urged media employers to provide periodic training and counselling support to their staff, including journalists covering crime, disaster and trauma-related beats.

The founder of Secure-D-Future International Initiative (SDF), Dr. Sa’adatu Adamu and a technical assistant on the Safe School project of Benue State Government, Dr. Tersoo Shaapera, gave the charge during an X space themed: Mental Health for Media Professionals organised by The FactCheckHub on Thursday, October 17, 2024.

The duo also charged media employees to prioritise self-care and set boundaries, noting that these are key solutions to managing digital overload and preventing burnout, especially among journalists.

Both further highlighted the importance of taking regular breaks while at work, delegating tasks when necessary, and seeking mental health support.

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These strategies, they explained, are crucial for maintaining their total well-being in a profession often marked by high stress and constant information flow.

Dr. Shaapera, who is a Clinical and Forensic Psychologist, noted that accountability is a significant issue on the job, as media professionals frequently face difficulties in holding people accountable. Much of their work, he highlighted, revolve around uncovering the truth, which can add to the emotional stress they experience.

“The job of media professionals is always traumatic. There are traumatic issues surrounding the media profession. And when you delve into it, sometimes you realize that the female folks among them are much more vulnerable.

“The fact remains that when it comes to issues of accountability, it is always very, very difficult for those (journalists) that are out there to hold people accountable, as most of what the media professionals do is to try to uncover the truth,” Dr. Shaapera stated.

Flyer of the X space
Flyer of the X space.

Also speaking on ways to manage digital overload, Dr. Adamu emphasized the importance of journalists recognizing that mental health issues can affect anyone, regardless of their profession or job demands.

She said, “It is important that journalists understand that mental health doesn’t care about your profession, or what you’re expected to do, or how far you should do it, and all that. It can affect anybody.”

She further highlighted the risk of burnout and secondary trauma that journalists may face due to pressures associated with their work.

“It’s important for you to take a deep breathe, just take two, three steps behind and you know, find a place to reassess yourself,” Dr. Adamu emphasised.

To address the stigma associated with mental health among media workers, she noted that it’s essential that media professionals feel comfortable in seeking help without fear of discrimination or judgement.

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The experts noted that many journalists avoid mental health care due to concerns about being stigmatized or seen as weak. “This reluctance can exacerbate the mental strain they already face, leading to more severe issues such as anxiety, depression, and burnout,” they said.

One of the key solutions the duo proposed is creating a supportive work environment where media professionals can openly discuss mental health challenges.

Media organisations should also implement mental health awareness programmes, offer regular access to counseling, and promote self-care as part of their work culture, they counselled.

Fact-checker at The FactheckHub | [email protected] |  + posts

Seasoned fact-checker and researcher Fatimah Quadri has written numerous fact-checks, explainers, and media literacy pieces for The FactCheckHub in an effort to combat information disorder. She can be reached at sunmibola_q on X or [email protected].

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