Yacine Ba
While journalists have to uncover the truth and report on what the public needs to know, they also have to cover many disturbing events.
August is National Wellness Month and the National Association of Black Journalists is making efforts to ensure journalists know how to stay mentally healthy during traumatic situations.
Josh Brown, photojournalist for Zuma wire, has first-hand experience.
“I have covered a few protests before. One in particular was pro-Palestine protests within the past few years that got pretty agitated with one of the counterprotesters and the police,” he said.
Brown advises journalists to “be prepared for whatever could happen, [because] you never know what people’s intentions are.”
Dr. Brandon Gillespie, a licensed therapist and psychology professor, emphasized the importance of journalists being aware of their physical health.
“When you’re feeling stressed, when you’re feeling burnout, really take notice and then do something about it. The things that you can do about it: get help, seek support [from] friends, family, professionals. Also self-care, going outside, taking walks, getting plenty of sleep, getting plenty of rest, and eating well,” Gillespie said.
Dawn Angelique Roberts is the co-chair of NABJ’s Wellness Task Force which fosters environments for journalists to make wellness and mental health a priority.
“We bring in professionals, we meet virtually, and we bring in experts to speak about anything that journalists are going to have going on in the newsroom,” Roberts said.
“It’s okay not to be okay. It’s okay to seek a therapist.”
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