Article by AX Mina – As doing journalism seems to be getting more and more difficult around the world, we at The Self-Investigation have been reflecting with partners and speakers about why it’s so important that we’re hosting the Mental Health in Journalism Summit next week.
”In a time when democracies across the globe, particularly in some areas in Latin America, are under unprecedented strain, the role of journalists as pillars of democracy and providers of independent information has never been more critical,” writes Adamantia Lampouka from partner organization Free Press Unlimited. Lampouka is one of dozens of partners and workshop leaders who have shared with us their perspectives on the Summit and why mental health in journalism is a critical topic today.
“Yet, these same journalists face increasing precarity, systemic repression, and the relentless pressure to deliver in a rapidly changing media landscape. This is why addressing mental health in journalism is not just urgent—it is essential. Mental health support is key to fostering resilience among journalists, ensuring they can continue their vital work with the strength and clarity needed to uphold the values of free and independent press.”
Here are four other insights from our MHJS24 session leaders:
1. Journalists often witness — and experience — tremendous challenges as part of their daily work.
It’s no secret that the news is difficult and overwhelming right now, and journalists know this more than others. As Aishwarya Varma, a contributor at The Quint in India notes, “It is important to prioritize mental health in journalism because journalists are exposed to overwhelming amounts of information, which is very often related to crisis events, which can lead to burnout and decline in mental health.” Varma will be discussing the experiences of women and underrepresented groups in journalism at the Summit.
And Jessica Gabriela Arellano López from Aluna Acompañamiento Psicosocial in Mexico offered a sobering reminder that “Those who carry out critical and independent journalism constantly face threatening situations and security incidents that affect them on a personal, family, community, professional and social level.” Her session on resilience will be essential for understanding this topic more deeply.
Arellano López reminds us of the stakes: “These conditions generate impacts that hinder or prevent the right to freedom of expression; attention to mental health, seen from a psychosocial perspective, considers a comprehensive approach to strengthen journalists in their areas of psychoemotional, security and organizational dynamics, which in turns strengths their professional, political and life projects.”
2. Mental health is important for freedom of expression.
Mental health also speaks to the core values of journalism, such as freedom of opinion and expression, famously enshrined in Article 19 of the UN’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights. “Without mental health in journalism, there is no freedom of expression,” notes Camila Andrea from Vita Activa in Colombia. Andrea is running a workshop on psychological first aid for women journalists next week. “And without diversity, equity, and inclusion, there is no good journalism.”
Australia’s Dr. Cait McMahon, a leading psychologist and consultant for mental health in journalism, will be sharing perspectives on peer support programs for journalists from 2006 to the present. McMahon echoes Andrea’s statements: “Mental health in journalism is a press freedom issue – journalists silenced through psychological injury are silenced as much as those forbidden to speak publicly by suppression.”
3. Good mental health will help our industry maintain longevity and pass the torch to the next generation.
Mental health is also a sustainability issue — for this generation and the ones to come.
“Young journalists are leaving the field during a crucial time for the future of democracy,” observes Chelsea Reynolds, Director at the Center for Culture and Inclusion in Media at Arizona State University. “We must envision a more equitable future for our industry or risk losing the watchdog of power in an increasingly oligarchic society.”
Glenn Burkins at QCity Metro in North Carolina had a similar thought: “If we intend to keep young journalists in this profession, we must be as concerned about their mental health as we are about their writing and reporting skills.”
Catch both Burkins and Reynolds in their workshop on facilitating workplace wellbeing for Gen Z journalists and young people.
4. Diversity, equity and inclusion benefit from good mental health.
As Camila Andrea noted above, mental health in journalism is good for freedom of expression and diversity, equity and inclusion. PEN America’s Holistic Safety and Security Adviser Jeje Mohamed echoed these sentiments:
“Journalism safety pillars (physical, digital, psychological and legal) are crucial for the sustainability, health and diversity of the journalism and media field and can not be treated in silos. For journalists to continue doing this critical work, and to have more diverse voices, we need to take care of our mental health and treat each other with care and support.”
Mohamed will be running a workshop on psychosocial support for online abuse self-defense, an issue that disproportionately affects women and people from marginalized and racialized communities.
And then there’s Maria Eugenia Alvarez, Director General at SembraMedia in Argentina, who will be engaging participants in how to accompany journalists living in exile: “Prioritizing mental health in a global context with so much violence allows us to have tools for care and protection. Caring for journalists means caring for the diversity of voices that can strengthen democracies.”
5. And good mental health supports good journalism.
While mental health in journalism is a good thing in and of itself, it also helps journalists do what they do best.
“Stress and burnout are the first enemies to creativity and commitment,” writes Samya Ayish, Communication Manager at ARIJ in Jordan. “We need to think about our inner soul to impact other souls.” Ayish’s session on peer support is about exactly that — how we support other souls while doing our best work.
“Without journalism, democracy is in danger,” writes Ute Korinth from Deutscher Journalistenverband in Germany. “We need journalists and good journalism to protect it. This is only possible if mental health is ensured.” Korinth will be helping us all understand how to ask if someone is okay — without being afraid of the answer.
We close with the wise words of Esther Kiragu, a freelance journalist in Kenya leading a session on creating a culture of care in journalism:
“Journalism plays a crucial role in shaping society. A healthy mind encourages creativity, critical thinking, and empathy—essential qualities for effective journalism. By prioritising mental health in journalists, we can contribute to a more informed and engaged society.”
