Fact-checkers face a unique set of stressors tied to the nature of their work—tight deadlines, online harassment, exposure to disturbing content, and the relentless demands of a fast-paced digital environment. Their work often brings them face-to-face with emotionally difficult stories and the darker corners of the internet, which can chip away at their sense of optimism and faith in humanity. Over time, this can lead to burnout, depression, vicarious trauma, or even moral injury.
Why This Toolkit Matters
The Mental Health Leadership Toolkit for Fact-Checkers is a collection of five practical guides focused on key mental health challenges in the newsroom. These resources were developed through a training and coaching program for leaders from 14 fact-checking organizations across countries like Spain, Brazil, India, the US, and Bolivia. The toolkit highlights the urgent need to foster a lasting culture of mental health awareness and proactive care within fact-checking teams.
What makes this toolkit especially valuable is that fact-checkers—regardless of location or organization size—often grapple with similar mental health challenges. This shared reality underscores the importance of equipping fact-checkers (and journalists more broadly) with tools to protect their own well-being and support their colleagues.
What’s Inside the Toolkit
The Mental Health Leadership Toolkit for Fact-Checkers covers five critical areas:
Burnout Prevention: The Toolkit highlights the importance of recognizing stress early and preventing burnout before it takes a toll. It offers practical tips for both individuals and managers, including setting clear boundaries, normalizing open conversations about mental health, and leading by example through self-care.
Digital Boundaries: In today’s “always-on” culture, setting healthy digital boundaries is more challenging—and more necessary—than ever. The Toolkit provides guidance on how to minimize digital overload, from turning off unnecessary notifications to scheduling non-urgent emails and setting clear communication norms within teams.
Vicarious Trauma and Moral Injury: Fact-checkers are regularly exposed to harmful and distressing content, putting them at risk of vicarious trauma and moral injury. The Toolkit helps individuals and managers recognize the warning signs and offers strategies to reduce unnecessary exposure and protect team well-being.
Online Harassment: Online abuse is an unfortunate reality for many fact-checkers, taking a serious emotional toll. The Toolkit offers practical advice for preparing for harassment, responding effectively, and prioritizing self-care afterward. Managers will also find guidance on how to support team members who experience online attacks.
Psychological Safety: A healthy newsroom culture is one where people feel safe admitting mistakes, asking questions, expressing vulnerability, and sharing new ideas. The Toolkit outlines steps individuals and managers can take to foster psychological safety, such as practicing active listening, showing vulnerability themselves, and embracing a culture of curiosity and learning.
Join the Movement for Healthier Newsrooms
If you’re a fact-checker or newsroom leader, this Toolkit is an invaluable resource to help you and your team build a more supportive, resilient, and mentally healthy workplace. Prioritizing mental health isn’t just good for individuals—it strengthens the fact-checking community as a whole.
The Toolkit is also available in Spanish.
