Psychological support for journalists
NGO «Lviv Media Forum» in cooperation with the Mental Health and Trauma Therapy Center «Space of Hope» (Prostir Nadii) of the Ukrainian Catholic University, established the Psychological Support Program for journalists who have experienced or are experiencing psychological exhaustion or trauma, professional burnout, fear of losing the job or other difficulties.
Every third person in the world experiences emotional exhaustion or professional burnout. This especially applies to creative workers such as media professionals. If ignored or neglected, the above-mentioned conditions lead to clinical depression.
According to statistics, 80 to 100 percent of journalists used to witness traumatizing events in their work. Continuous interaction with people and constant empathy, insecure work schedule and long hours, the need to always be in the loop and process endless streams of information – are only some reasons explaining why media professionals are more likely to face emotional exhaustion than representatives of other professions.
Taking into consideration the above mentioned issues, Lviv Media Forum in cooperation with the Mental Health and Trauma Therapy Center «Prostir Nadii» of the Ukrainian Catholic University supports journalists by providing them with free psychological counseling. Media professionals who experience anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, adjustment disorders, depression, difficulties in relationships and communication, or other personal challenges, may receive anonymous online consultations from the Center’s leading psychologists.
As of early 2021, 200 hours of therapy were given to about 20 journalists from across Ukraine. Cognitive-behavioral therapy, schema therapy, and EMDR are used as the main methods.
In addition, a series of publications related to the psychological health of media professionals have been published within the project:
When an engine does not have a fuel supply, the car stops.
Most journalists think they handle stress.
How to work with complex topics.
The psychological climate in editorial offices.
The program is implemented with the support of The International Renaissance Foundation and Media Development Fund of the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine.
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