Mental Health Journalism

Mental Health Journalism brings nuanced insights to spotlight mental health conditions and resilience in displacement. Our journalism here is aimed at creating a global network of trained storytellers spotlighting hidden, forgotten or overlooked issues within displacement crises to show how the universal truths of endurance, hope, fear, loss and grief affect people during and in the aftermath of crises. Reportage addresses trauma, but looks deeper at the complexity of mental health issues, its impacts, and those seeking to heal and build resilience.

Our programme will also consist of delivering workshops and training for new and established journalists and multi-media reporters to raise awareness on mental health issues in and around crises, including the ethical and moral implications of reportage on displaced communities and aid workers.

Accounting for those on both sides of the lens, our workshops also cover concerns over moral injury faced by journalists more recently covering the refugee crisis since 2015.

We are presently brainstorming with experts on creating a standardised guide on the mental health impact of journalism in some of the most reported displacement crises of today. The guide is being produced to ensure greater awareness on, responsibility for, and constructive steps to reduce the risk of retraumatization and longer-term implications when groups fleeing crises come into contact with the world’s media.

Mental Health Journalism is aimed at journalists, photographers, podcasters, and videographers who are native to the countries we are covering or those who have extensive knowledge working within the displacement contexts of conflict, disasters, climate change, statelessness, development and Indigenous trauma.