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December 15, 2025 – Palestine –
International media and humanitarian organizations are stepping up efforts to support journalists in Gaza by introducing psychosocial resilience training aimed at helping media workers cope with the extreme stress and trauma associated with reporting in conflict zones.
According to UNESCO, journalists covering the ongoing violence in Gaza are facing unprecedented psychological strain due to prolonged exposure to violence, destruction, and loss of life. The United Nations agency — which has been monitoring threats to press freedom and the safety of media workers worldwide — notes that in addition to physical dangers, reporters frequently experience mental health challenges, including acute stress, anxiety, and symptoms of trauma. This has prompted a coordinated response to strengthen mental-health support tailored specifically for journalists operating under fire.
The newly announced programme seeks to provide psychosocial training and resilience resources to journalists based in Gaza, with a focus on developing coping mechanisms, stress management techniques, and peer-support networks. UNESCO officials emphasised that such support is vital not only for individual well-being, but also for maintaining the ability of journalists to continue their work in extremely taxing conditions.
Participants in the initiative will have access to workshops and guided sessions led by mental-health professionals experienced in trauma-informed care. These sessions are designed to help media workers recognise signs of stress, reduce burnout, and build sustainable practices that protect their psychological health over the long term. Organizers also plan to facilitate ongoing peer-to-peer support structures, enabling journalists to share experiences and coping strategies with colleagues facing similar challenges.
UNESCO’s announcement highlighted the broader context of the Gaza conflict, where journalists have operated in one of the most dangerous environments for the press in recent history. Reporters in Gaza — both local and international — have been killed, wounded, or displaced while covering hostilities, shortages of basic services, and humanitarian crises. In such an environment, mental health support is seen as an essential component of overall safety frameworks for journalists, complementing physical safety training and legal protections.
The organisation noted that psychosocial resilience is not only beneficial for individual journalists but also strengthens the integrity and continuity of news reporting itself. Journalists with improved mental-health support are better positioned to continue documenting critical events, safeguarding community narratives, and contributing to public understanding during crises.
Beyond direct training, UNESCO is advocating for greater recognition of journalists’ mental-health needs within international press-freedom and humanitarian strategies. The programme represents a growing acknowledgement that psychological support must be integrated into broader press-safety interventions, particularly in high-intensity conflict zones like Gaza.
By addressing the often-overlooked emotional toll of frontline reporting, the initiative aims to empower journalists to sustain their work with dignity, resilience, and professional care — reinforcing that safeguarding the mental health of media workers is fundamental to preserving independent journalism under extreme conditions.
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