A one-stop shop of mental health resources for journalists

Credit: Photo by Helena Lopes on Unsplash

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: The Gene Roberts Fund for Emergency Assistance

International Women's Media Foundation: emergency funds (United States Journalism Emergency Fund, The Black Journalists Therapy Relief Fund and IWMF Emergency Fund).

Journalists' Charity: financial assistance and advice

NUJ: NUJ extra (requires membership)

Reporters Without Borders: financial assistance

The Rory Peck Trust: Crisis Fund (currently not accepting applications), Therapy Fund (supported by Meta), and Trauma Fund for Afghan Journalists (supported by KBF Canada Foundation)

Urgent Action Fund for Women's Human Rights: security grant

Mental health in management

Dart Centre for Journalism and Trauma: guidance on handling the death of a colleague

Headlines Network: Guide on supporting colleagues

Reuters: Mental health and resilience resource, see staff and manager support and guidance

The TUC: Mental health in the workplace workbook

Self-help for journalists

Frontline defenders: well-being and stress management

Headlines Network: Guide on managing our mental health

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

Reuters: Mental health and resilience resource, see sections on stress and burnout, trauma and PTSD, sexual and digital harassment, and self-care

The Self-Investigation: stress management resources

Community and content

Headlines Network: Behind the Headlines podcast and community events

IJNet: Mental health and journalism podcast series

International Journalism Festival: Information overload: how journalists can cope

Journalists Covering Trauma: Facebook group for journalists

Newsbreak: website for journalists to share experiences and Let's Talk service

NUJ: Union-based events and contacts (requires membership)

Reuters: Mental health and resilience resource, see the journalist's blog

The Self-Investigation: Meet-ups with mental health trainers and participants

Training and courses

Dart Centre for Journalism and Trauma: Dart fellowships (opening January 2023) and various training resources

Headlines Network: mental health training (to be updated)

International Women's Media Foundation: trauma resources and webinar on the mental toll on journalists of colour

Poynter: journalism and trauma course

The Rory Peck Trust / Dart Centre Europe / Meta: trauma and resilience workshops

Trauma reporting: training on working with vulnerable interviewees (CPD accredited)

The Self-Investigation: courses for managers (to resume soon) and journalists

Advice and coaching

Olivia James: coaching on performance anxiety, imposter syndrome and PTSD

NUJ: Legal support (requires membership)

The Rory Peck Trust: Safety clinics

The Self-Investigation: Coaching (on a first come, first served basis)

Zuzanna Ziomecka: coaching on burnout, mindfulness and leadership

Reporting guidelines and toolkits

Dart Centre for Journalism and Trauma: Tip sheets and reporting on PTSD, mental health and suicide

IJNet: mental health reporting tips and toolkit

NUJ: Reporting on mental health and death by suicide [2014]

Trauma reporting: Trauma Reporting Toolkit

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

Books

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

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

Trine Syvertsen: Digital Detox: The Politics of Disconnecting

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