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Journalism: Why Mental Health Must Become a Priority

Facing precarious working conditions, online harassment and the threat of physical violence, journalists across the world operate under immense and constant stress. The consequences are often severe—both for their physical and mental health.

Journalism is a profession without fixed working hours, where tasks accumulate endlessly and deadlines never stop. It is financially uncertain, frequently underpaid, and emotionally demanding. Many journalists normalize the pressure, believing stress is simply “part of the job.”

Yet mental health remains the least-discussed aspect of the profession.



A Growing Conversation About Journalists’ Mental Health

Media communities in the Western Balkans—and across Europe—began addressing this issue more seriously during the COVID-19 pandemic, when journalists were among the most exposed groups. The pandemic wasn’t the only source of stress, but it finally opened the conversation about the psychological well-being of media workers.



Alarming Data: PTSD, Anxiety, Burnout

A 2023 OSCE Mission to Serbia study analyzed the mental state of 164 journalists. The findings were striking:

  • 30% of journalists have a diagnosed mental disorder or frequent psychological disturbances
  • 20% suffer from PTSD
  • Those at highest risk are journalists covering war, crime, or violent events

Particularly worrying is the fact that young journalists, often with minimal experience, reported the highest stress levels.



A Young Journalist’s First Trauma

Milorad Ivanovic, now editor at Balkan Investigative Reporting Network (BIRN) Serbia, recalls his first traumatic assignment:

“Just weeks after I started working, I was sent to cover a suicide. It was the first time I saw a dead body. I lost my voice from stress and couldn’t speak the entire day.”

He says that years in crime reporting left long-term consequences—something he didn’t fully acknowledge at the time.

“They taught us how to write, not how to protect ourselves.”



Normalizing Pathology: Why Journalists Avoid Help

Clinical psychologist Tea Vucina from Mostar confirms that very few journalists seek psychological support.

According to her:

  • burnout syndrome is the most common condition,
  • emotional exhaustion leads to chronic fatigue and sleep problems,
  • many journalists accept stress as “normal,”
  • and psychological help is often financially inaccessible or stigmatized.

“Some journalists end their careers with serious physical and mental health issues. The tragedy is that help is rarely available—and rarely requested,” says Vucina.

Ivanovic agrees, adding that psychotherapy is still stigmatized in many newsrooms, even though it should be considered routine self-care.



Lack of Systemic Support in the Region

Newsrooms across Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Western Balkans generally lack psychologists or mental-health programs. Support often comes from media associations, which help in cases of:

  • physical attacks
  • online threats
  • legal pressure

Borka Rudic from the Association of BH Journalists emphasizes that while support exists, it is still limited.

Their next steps include:

  • introducing mental-health programs in newsrooms
  • group and individual therapy
  • education for journalists and editors

Global Good Practices: Debriefing, Healthy Habits, Training

In leading news organizations worldwide, mental health is treated as a serious priority.

As a representative of the Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma, Ivanovic explains:

  • Journalists returning from war zones undergo mandatory debriefing
  • Editors receive training on trauma-sensitive leadership
  • Newsrooms promote healthy habits: sleep, exercise, reduced alcohol consumption
  • Peer-to-peer support networks are encouraged

These practices have proven highly effective.



Europe Takes Mental Health More Seriously

According to Maja Sever, President of the European Federation of Journalists, more journalists are reporting from conflict zones than ever before, increasing exposure to trauma.

European practices now include:

  • mandatory safety training before going to conflict zones
  • helmets, vests, and protective equipment
  • psychological support after returning
  • self-care programs (yoga, meditation, team-building)

Self-Help: Personal Boundaries and Peer Support

While the region waits for systemic solutions, experts agree that journalists must also take steps to protect themselves.

Ivanovic shares his personal motto:

“No story is worth your mental health.”

His strategies include:

  • staying off social media
  • avoiding comments about his work
  • limiting public exposure
  • participating in peer-support projects

Research globally suggests journalists must:

  • set personal boundaries,
  • ensure regular rest,
  • disconnect from traumatic content,
  • and seek professional help when symptoms appear.

Protecting Journalists Means Protecting Journalism

Without healthy journalists, there is no healthy journalism.

Mental health must become a structural, not individual, responsibility. From newsrooms to press associations to international organizations, protecting journalists’ psychological well-being is essential for maintaining free, ethical, and responsible media.



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