Addressing Mental Health: Insights from Global Journalism Experts

Journalism professionals gathered this week for a critical discussion on mental health in newsrooms, led by David Walmsley, Editor in Chief of Canada’s Globe and Mail and President of WAN-IFRA’s World Editors Forum. The webinar featured insights from Professor Anthony Feinstein, a renowned expert in the psychological impact of high-risk journalism. His extensive research over the past two decades has earned him the nickname “journalists’ friend” due to his commitment to understanding and addressing the mental health challenges faced by reporters.

Feinstein, who holds a position as a Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto and is a clinician-scientist at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, emphasized the urgent need for mental health support in journalism. His groundbreaking studies revealed that proximity to trauma is the primary vulnerability factor for developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among war reporters. This finding highlights the comparable mental health risks faced by journalists and military veterans.

Understanding the Impact of Trauma

Feinstein has conducted research on journalists in various high-risk environments, including Mexico—a nation grappling with cartel violence—and journalists covering election-related violence in Kenya. His work has also explored the implications of user-generated content, illustrating that trauma exposure, whether direct or digital, leaves lasting psychological effects.

One of Feinstein’s significant contributions to the field is the concept of “moral injury,” which he defines as a psychological distress resulting from actions that conflict with a person’s moral beliefs. Together with colleagues from London and Toronto, he developed the Toronto Moral Injury Scale for Journalists, the first tool specifically designed to measure this phenomenon. Feinstein explained, “Moral injury can lead to guilt, anger, and cynicism. It can make journalists question the purpose of their work and step back from their profession. Left unaddressed, it becomes a pathway to PTSD, depression, or substance abuse.”

To combat these challenges, Feinstein advocates for early intervention, regular psychological check-ins, and ongoing education to support journalists’ mental health. He urged participants to “normalise it,” reminding them of the dangers associated with their work and the importance of seeking therapy and support.

New Challenges and Practical Solutions

Feinstein’s recent studies highlight new challenges, particularly the link between anxiety and online harassment faced by journalists. He pointed out that over 40 journalists have been killed in the past 15 years while covering climate issues, often targeted by powerful corporations or state actors. This alarming trend underscores the need for increased awareness and support for journalists working in these high-risk areas.

Despite these challenges, Feinstein noted that most journalists demonstrate resilience, and conditions like PTSD and depression are treatable. He stressed that prevention and early intervention are crucial. Research indicates that during the pandemic, newsrooms that provided professional support experienced lower levels of anxiety and depression among staff.

Feinstein outlined four key actions that news organizations can implement to improve mental health support:

1. Organise educational sessions for journalists and editors focusing on the psychological risks of their work and available support systems.
2. Establish a system for confidential, easily accessible mental health check-ins, free from stigma, both before and after covering difficult stories.
3. Promote annual mental health evaluations, akin to routine physical health assessments.
4. Train newsroom managers to act as “first responders” who can recognise and respond empathetically to distress among staff.

In addition to these strategies, Feinstein highlighted the importance of existing resources such as the Journalist Trauma Support Network, which trains therapists to work effectively with journalists, and the ACOS (A Culture Of Safety) Alliance, which offers guidance on psychological health and safety.

As the conversation on mental health in journalism evolves, it is clear that addressing these issues is not merely a professional responsibility but a moral imperative. The support structures established within newsrooms can significantly enhance the resilience and well-being of journalists, ultimately benefiting the integrity of the news industry as a whole.