The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) is thrilled to announce a key partnership with the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) as it strives to prioritise journalism wellness in all newsrooms across the country.
As Covid-19 continues to sweep through South Africa, there is no doubt that many journalists are directly feeling the impact and the trauma of what is unfolding in the country. Journalists are on the front lines of this pandemic – reporting on every aspect from the sick and the dying, to job losses, the economic impact and corruption.
The media fraternity has lost too many valued colleagues as a direct result of Covid-19 and journalists have also experienced much personal loss.
This, coupled with other stories dominating the news cycle has resulted in growing numbers of journalists experiencing PTSD, burnout, anxiety and depression.
Prioritising the mental and psychological support of journalists is a critical part of SANEF’s work and we look forward to the full roll-out of the partnership with SADAG.
As part of this rollout, we will undertake the following:
- WEBINAR SERIES
– Hosting online webinars with key experts on mental health issues, as well as speakers with lived experience. These will be recorded and shared with journalists who weren’t able to attend.
– We will cover key topics including grief, trauma, burnout, compassion fatigue, managing anxiety, coping with workplace stress, depression, etc.
- MENTAL HEALTH SURVEY
– An online survey specifically focused on the mental health of journalists will be developed in order to assess symptoms of anxiety, stress and trauma.
- TRAINING WORKSHOPS FOR MANAGERS & LEADERS
– The programme will be rolled out to all newsrooms and SADAG will host smaller workshops with editors and newsroom leaders to equip them with critical tools such as debriefing skills, basic counselling skills, trauma debriefing containment and mental health in the workplace.
- DEDICATED SMS SUPPORT SERVICE FOR JOURNALISTS
– SADAG will provide a free mental health support service to all journalists through a dedicated 24-hour SMS service (SMS number: 31985) that will run 7 days a week. Journalists seeking mental health help, support or crisis intervention will be able to SMS the number and a SADAG counsellor will call them back within 15 minutes to assist further.
– SADAG will provide free telephone counselling, trauma debriefing and containment, as well as use its extensive referral guide of nationwide resources to assist journalists
– In specific cases where journalists cannot afford therapy or counselling. SADAG will use its network of pro-bono mental health professionals and partnerships with key organisations to assist further.
– SADAG will keep calls strictly confidential and keep detailed case management notes
We are excited to announce that the Webinars have already kicked off and another will be held on July 10th with all SANEF members and any and all affected journalists who would like to attend (https://bit.ly/3y76oKe)
July is Mental Health Awareness Month and there is no better time than now to roll out this project to all newsrooms.
SANEF AND SADAG encourages all editors and journalists across the country to make use of these services and to participate in the webinars.
