Safeguarding Journalists’ Mental Well‑Being in Crisis

November 8, 2024 – General –

UNESCO, in partnership with the International Women’s Media Foundation (IWMF), has released a groundbreaking Guide for Psychologists in the Emergency Care of Journalists—a critical resource tailored to address the emotional and psychological challenges faced by journalists, especially during crises and online violence.

The initiative responds to alarming statistics: over 73% of women journalists report experiencing online threats, harassment, or insults due to their work, with 25% facing physical or sexual violence. These risks compound significantly in conflict zones and during heightened election campaigns.

At its core, the guide equips mental health professionals with tools for immediate and gender-sensitive psychological interventions. It includes protocols for single-session crisis support, trauma stabilization, and tailored care models that acknowledge different social and cultural contexts. The program was launched at the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists event in Addis Ababa, underscoring its global relevance.

Further, UNESCO and IWMF are recruiting 20 clinical psychologists and psychiatrists from regions including Latin America, sub‑Saharan Africa, South Asia, and the Middle East—Iraq and Lebanon among them—for a six-month virtual training. This training strengthens their capacity to provide informed, emergency psychological support to journalists at risk.

This initiative aligns with UNESCO’s broader efforts—through the International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC)—to embed safety and mental health into media protection strategies and pressure states to uphold accountability for violence against journalists. It also builds on previous mental health support programmes during crises like COVID-19 and addresses the disproportionate harm faced by women journalists in both digital and physical environments.