Headlines Network has released a set of new resources for journalists covering traumatic breaking news.
A free set of infographics and videos have been authored by Dr Sian Williams, a practising NHS psychologist and a journalist of 35 years, and with support from the Google News Initiative.
It explains our natural human responses to prolonged stressful situations, why journalists are especially susceptible to vicarious trauma, and some appropriate coping mechanisms and support strategies.
A useful comparison is made in the videos describing a novice and an experienced skydiver. Research has shown that despite very different levels of anxiety about jumping out of a plane, both the novice and the professional produce the same levels of cortisol - a hormone that elevates our blood sugar in response to perceived threats.
Journalists might think they build up an immunity or tolerance to threats and shocks 'as part of doing the job'. What the skydiver example shows is that stress builds up under the hood without you even realising it. Without proper stress management before, during and after traumatic situations, this can eventually lead to longer-term mental health problems.
The guide provides step-by-step exercises on how to do this, plus a wealth of other useful support systems and resources.
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