A one-stop-shop of mental health resources for journalists

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When journalists are having a rough time, it can be hard to look for support - so we did the digging for you.

Here is a bunch of resources: places you can find financial support if your mental health is affecting your work. Organisations which provide training, advice, coaching and consultation. Guides to help you cover the subject. Or simply communities that you can tap into so you do not feel alone.

This is not a complete list and we welcome any other resources you know of. Let us know and we will add them in.

Financial support

Committee to Protect Journalists: Journalist Safety and Emergencies • emergency financial support for living expenses, medical/psychosocial care, relocation, legal aid, post-prison support and mental health specialists • email to apply, global

Journalists' Charity: financial assistance and First Job Fund • circumstances-based support for journalists in the later and early stages of their career • online application, UK only

NUJ: NUJ extra • flexible, short-term financial support due to unforeseen circumstances • membership required, online application, UK and Ireland

Reporters Without Borders: financial assistance • emergency funds for journalists under threat for their safety • email to apply, global

The Rory Peck Trust: Therapy Fund • covers the cost of professional psychological support for freelance journalists • online application, global, response time 1-3 weeks

Urgent Action Fund for Feminist Activism: security grant • up to $8,000 available for "unanticipated and time urgent" safety risks to women and non-binary activists • email or online application, quick decision process, global

International Women's Media Foundation: IWMF Emergency Funds • grants available for psychological and medical care for crises related to journalistic work • US only, non-financial assistance also available

Guides and resources

The Carter Center’s Journalism Resource Guide for Mental Health Reporting: Journalism Resource Guide for Mental Health Reporting • a regularly updated set of best practices, statistics, and guidance on sensitive topics like suicide and substance use

International Women’s Media Foundation (IWMF): Mental Health Guide for Journalists Facing Online Violence • exercises and strategies to help journalists manage the mental health impact of online abuse and harassment

Headlines Network: a range of newsroom guides, including hybrid work, dealing with burnout, covering traumatic stories, mitigating vicarious trauma, managing our own mental health and supporting our colleagues

The Self-Investigation: a range of mental health resources for fact-checker's mental health

IJNet: mental health reporting tips and toolkit

Management

The TUC: mental health in the workplace workbook

Trauma

Pickup communications: an FAQ on how the media should engage with victims and survivors

Trauma reporting: Trauma Reporting Toolkit

UNESCO (by Jo Healey): Safety of journalists covering trauma and distress 'Do no harm' [2022]

Suicide

Suicide Reporting Toolkit: the RSR (responsible suicide reporting) model and self-care tips when covering this difficult subject

Samaritans: media guidelines for reporting on suicide

Well-being and resilience

Frontline defenders: well-being and stress management

NHS: guides, tools and activities to improve your mental health

Language

Mind: media guidelines for covering mental health, focusing on language choices and avoiding reinforcing stigmas

Communities and events

Mediastrong: the MediaStrong Symposium brings together journalists to discuss mental health, share experiences, and access ongoing wellbeing resources

The Self-Investigation: Mental Health in Journalism Summit, free and online around World Mental Health Day (8 - 10 October 2025)

John Schofield Trust: an industry-leading mentorship scheme for early-career journalists and industry professionals

Safely Held Spaces: free online peer support groups for people experiencing extreme mental and emotional distress

Journalists Covering Trauma: Facebook group for journalists, NB: private and off-the-record discussions

Marie Colvin Journalists Network: UK charity providing support for Arab women journalists

The Global Centre for Journalism and Trauma: Journalist Trauma Support Network is offers peer connection, access to trained therapists, and regular events focused on managing stress and trauma in journalism

Journalists In Distress: a network of organisations providing financial, legal, and relocation support for journalists in crisis.

Training and courses

Safely Held Spaces: trauma-informed newsroom reporting training

Pickup Communications: trauma-informed interviewing training

The Self-Investigation: a range of services – Online Safety and Mental Health Training) including one-on-one training, consultancy and awareness-raising talks

Jodie Jackson: Master your media, master your mind course for improving media diet

Content and self-help

Headlines Network: Behind the Headlines podcast

Verywell Mind: An editorial website focusing on mental health, therapy, self-help and relationships

Mind: YouTube channel publishing interviews and explainers about mental health subjects

The Mental Illness Happy Hour with Paul Gilmore: weekly conversations about mental illness, trauma, addiction and negative thinking

The Anxiety Coaches Podcast with Gina Ryan: expert advice for dealing with stress, anxiety and PTSD

Lo-fi playlist: music to relax to

International Women's Media Foundation: Yoga for self-care

Tools, apps and games

The Rory Peck Trust: Risk & Safety Helpdesk • one-to-one expert online consultation to prepare freelance journalists for story assignments

Headspace: paid-for meditation app

The Mindfulness app: free app for reducing stress, exercising meditation and improving sleep

CALM: free online tool for practising deep breathing

GRIS: A simple video game available on PC and modern home consoles, based on mental health concepts.

Books

Hannah Storm: Mental Health and Wellbeing for Journalists

Chris Lindsay & Leona O'Neill: Breaking: Trauma in the Newsroom

Maja Šimunjak: Managing Emotions in Journalism: A Guide to Enhancing Resilience

Anthony Feinstein: Moral Courage: 19 Profiles of Investigative Journalists

Tamara Cherry: The Trauma Beat: A Case for Re-Thinking The Business of Bad News

Valérie Bélair-Gagnon, Avery E. Holton, Mark Deuze and Claudia Mellado: Happiness in Journalism

Jo Healey: Trauma Reporting: A Journalist's Guide to Covering Sensitive Stories

Trine Syvertsen: Digital Detox: The Politics of Disconnecting

Jodie Jackson: You Are What You Read: Why changing your media diet can change the world

Karen Yin: The Conscious Style Guide: A Flexible Approach to Language That Includes, Respects, and Empowers

Kate West and Leslie Rangel: Journalists Break News: Don't Let it Break You. Normalizing Mental Wellness in News

Laura Delano: Unshrunk: How The Mental Health Industry Took Over My Life - And My Fight to Get it Back

Key dates

Time To Talk Day: 1 February

Stress Awareness Month: April

World Suicide Prevention Day: 10 September

World Mental Health Day: 10 October

More here

Helplines (UK)

Mind: Advisors available 9 am to 6 pm, Monday to Friday, except bank holidays. Call 0300 123 3393 or text 86463

Samaritans: 24 hour support for suicide prevention. Call 116 123

National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK: support available 6pm to midnight, call 0800 689 5652

Shout: 24/7 text support for anyone in crisis on 85258

Journalists’ Charity: Confidential advice and support for journalists facing hardship, including mental health concerns. Call 01306 887511

In the event of a life-threatening emergency call 999