Protecting Mental Health While Covering Hard Stories

[johnblockbuster]

Journalists often bear witness to others’ job insecurity and setbacks, which can be emotionally taxing.

Wang recommends:

Set clear boundaries between professional concern and personal mental health.

Define the goal of each story: Whether it’s accurate science reporting or combating disinformation, knowing your purpose helps manage emotional load.

Seek support and training, similar to disaster journalism protocols, for handling trauma and stress effectively.

[kelson10]

This topic doesn’t get enough attention — mental health should be treated as a priority for every journalist.

[Nahid10]

Balancing emotional well-being with demanding stories is essential. Support systems make a real difference.