Preemptive Measures

Trauma and backlash are both inherent parts to a career in journalism, but how we teach journalists to manage them is where the industry is lacking. With little to no training in journalism schools and newsrooms, one thing experts can agree upon is that it is time for a change.

It starts with school

In a survey from 2018, only 2.4% of respondents reported that they have a course in their journalism curriculum dedicated to teaching about how trauma can impact journalists. Despite the overwhelming response in the survey that journalists and journalism students believe the topic is important to cover, an underwhelming amount of schools actually do so. “Research also shows that new journalists are not receiving this type of training on the job” (Dworznik and Garvey). It has to start with schools.

Marian Frank (top) helps Mia Andrea (left) and Evelyn Nielsen with an assignment in a newsroom in Phoenix on March 2, 2023. Photo by Lauren Kobley.

Implementing training in journalism schools will help make student journalists more prepared for the reality they will face when reporting in the real world. Without this training, young journalists will be more susceptible and exposed to developing different stress symptoms from anxiety to PTSD. To be more effective, trauma training needs to veer away from traditional methods of teaching like lecturing or discussions.

Some examples of ways journalism schools can incorporate different types of training include

1. Self-Reflection: The importance of self-care is often overlooked in both journalism schools and newsrooms with the 24-hour news cycle. If schools focus on incorporating mindfulness and self-care into the curriculum it can help curb some of the stigma associated with mental health issues. Not only this but practicing these techniques has the potential to “strengthen journalism graduates’ resilience, deepen their learning and shore up their moral compasses as they enter an occupation where their reporting can expose them to trauma and the upheaval in the industry can subject them to stress, burnout and other mental challenges” (Ogunyemi and Akanuwe).

2. Simulations: These allow students to engage in behavior that mimics situations they may face in real life. By placing students in situations where they have to make difficult decisions in a safe place, they can learn how to react and respond thoughtfully. With feedback from professors who have experienced similar situations as working journalists, students will learn to feel more comfortable in high-stress situations. It is better to learn how to respond rather than just avoid them.

A sign on the Executive Editor's door at Cronkite News in Phoenix on March 2, 2023. Photo by Lauren Kobley.

Top 5 tips for editors to create an approachable team environment

Juggling your reporter’s safety, trauma and mental health as an editor may seem like a daunting task. However, as editors hold positions of power within the newsroom it is important to use your influence for good.

1. Create your own team protocols and check-ins

One of the best ways to help your staff feel supported is by creating your own team

protocols and check-ins. A quick daily assessment of how you are feeling about your

stories and dealing with stress goes a long way.

2. Host a support group

Peer groups are important because it helps foster connections between colleagues. It

also provides unique context when discussing difficult assignments because most likely each person in the newsroom will be able to relate in some way to what is currently affecting their coworker.

3. Designate a peer committee

This is a great opportunity to provide a younger reporter with the opportunity to

practice leadership in the workplace. It gives your team a chance to connect without you there which may work better for some reporters who may be timid to share their opinion usually. The peer committee approach gives your reporters more freedom to structure the committee as they deem fit.

4. Maintain regular contact

A quick phone call goes a long way. It is important to check in with your reporters when they are in the field and after difficult assignments. Giving positive feedback and words of encouragement especially when you can tell your reporter is working on a hard story is crucial. Make sure your staff knows if they are feeling distressed not to hide it and let you know. Most importantly follow up with them a few weeks after your initial contact to see how they are doing.

5. Share resources

Educating yourself and your employees is one of the best ways to create an inclusive

and a safe environment for your team to discuss mental health at work. Mental Health America is a great resource to familiarize yourself and your team with the basics. You can encourage your employees to download mental health apps like Calm or Headspace for daily reminders to self-reflect and practice self-care. Making a list of different helpful hotlines and sending it out is a great way to make sure people always have someone to talk to. Keep an eye out on social media and in your company’s portal for any mental health training that could be good for your team to participate in.

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Resources

Dworznik, Gretchen, and Adrienne Garvey. “Are We Teaching Trauma?” Journalism Practice, vol. 13, no. 3, 23 Jan. 2018, pp. 367–382., https://doi.org/10.1080/17512786.2018.1423630.

Ogunyemi, Ola, and Joseph Akanuwe. “Should Journalism Curriculae Include Trauma Resilience Training? An Evaluation of the Evidence from a Scoping Literature Review and Findings from a Pilot Study.” Journalism Education, vol. 10, no. 1, May 2021, pp. 34–43., https://www.researchgate.net/

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