Research of Mental Stability of Journalists

Those working in the field of journalism often suffer from mental health illnesses due to the burdens in their line of work. Conditions including alcohol addiction, post-traumatic stress disorder, and depression are prevalent in journalists that have experienced trauma and those who struggle to balance domestic affairs. There is an apparent lack of discussion and awareness about mental health that is essential in maintaining stability in the field of journalism. Recent reforms in atmosphere, aesthetics, and attitude have shown the importance of environmental change and supportive management.

Alcohol abuse and addiction are fostered within the culture of journalism. Where awareness is abundant, alcohol consumption is notoriously abused and thus contributes to dehydration, normalization, and addiction. A minor difference between one and three percent of hydration levels can result in lower physical and cognitive performance. Because alcohol is both a depressant and neurotoxin, it delays brain function along with the central nervous system’s processes by depressing electrical conductivity in the brain.

(NIAAA). A study released by neuroscientist Dr. Tara Swart titled “Study Into The Mental Resilience of Journalists” examined the effects of working in the journalism field. The data showed that less than 5% of journalists drink enough water, while 41% drank more than 18 alcoholic drinks per week. (Swart). The culture in journalism supports alcohol use, as it is interpreted as a means of aesthetic professionalism and social appearance. From “liquid lunches” in the workplace to meet for drinks after work, high-functioning alcoholism is present in the journalism industry (Brody). The normalization of alcohol, the ‘tortured artist’ complex, and its assimilation into the newsroom ultimately prohibits the establishment of a healthy work environment.

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In a twenty-year struggle against alcohol, journalist William Leith spent ten years surrounded by bottles and another ten attempting to end his addiction (Leith). Alcohol addiction is among the numerous mental illness conditions in journalism that are rarely discussed and have only been recently studied. A term commonly used to diagnose soldiers after the war, post-traumatic stress disorder is particularly distinct in journalism.

PTSD, or post-traumatic stress disorder, is apparent in the field of journalism due to one’s exposure to traumatizing events, conflict, or war. According to the Sidran Institute of Traumatic Stress Education and Advocacy, 1 out of 13 people- approximately 8% of all adults- will develop PTSD during their life (Sidran Institute). This mental health condition triggered due to the experience or witness of traumatizing events impacts the field of journalism, although it is rarely talked about. In a pool conducted solely with journalists, four to twenty-eight percent of the participants struggled with PTSD in a study conducted in 2001 (Smith). These results suggest that symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder can lead to impaired occupational functioning, thus prohibiting journalists to perform optimally. While these numbers may seem comparably low to statistics on mental health in other occupations, the social stigma surrounding journalism causes many to deny sickness and refuse help. This stereotype of journalists- one who is cold, diligent, and detached- often hinders those who require help. Former human-rights reporter and now freelancer, Mac McClelland opened up about her experience with PTSD in an interview with Huffington Post. McClelland first noticed the dissociation state she experienced when covering a story about the earthquake in Haiti. McClelland’s book, titled “Irritable Heart: A PTSD Love Story”, details her stories of trauma: the witnessing of a Haitian rape victim’s violent encounter with the gang of men that had violated her to McClelland’s narrative of attempted abduction when a Haitian fixer deceived her in an attempt for sexual favors (Abraham). In response to why PTSD continues to be voiceless, McClelland states, “Our whole culture supports- and our entire entertainment industry- supports invincibility, emotional invincibility, and toughness, and invulnerability. When you’re a girl, there’s more pressure because you don’t want people to think that you’re hysterical” (Arana).

Despite their role as the transmitters of information and speakers of the truth, journalists are hesitant in confronting their mental health issues and are reluctant to seek professional help. When Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans in August 2005, a photographer for The Times-Picayune stayed behind to document the destruction of the city while his family had fled to Birmingham, Alabama. No one had warned John McCusker about the lakes of floating corpses present; approximately 1,577 fatalities were reported in the state of Louisiana during this category three hurricane (CNN Library). After a year, McCusker’s traumatization appeared persistent as he was seen begging police officers to end his life when approached at a traffic stop. McCusker proceeded to injure an officer as he crashed into vehicles in an attempt to escape. He was sentenced to six months probation due to this altercation, which McCusker has no recollection of; it was a possibility that he had experienced it in a dissociative, fugue state (Arana). Now employed at The New Orleans Advocate, McCusker recalls the events, saying, “There is an element of not wanting to be vulnerable, wanting to project strength.” Both McClelland and McCusker noted the difficulties in projecting their voices when faced with psychological adversity. This reflects how essential post-traumatic stress disorder awareness is in the newsroom.

Mental health issues within the field of journalism not only stem from first-hand experiences of trauma or conflict, but can occur due to a dizzying array of concerns, from sleep deprivation and managerial criticism to hate mail, death threats, and urgent deadlines. In an article published by the Ryerson Review of Journalism, Canadian journalist Dave Seglins speaks out about his time spent as a reporter covering the Russell Williams sentencing. The army colonel turned serial killer had pleaded to eighty-eight charges in court in four gruesome days- all of which Seglins attended. Amid the trial stood video evidence of William’s previous victim, pleading to the camera, “If I die, will you make sure my mom knows I love her?” (Jones). As a father, Seglins realized the negative influence this particular case had on him and sought help through therapy. The long hours had limited Seglins to roughly three hours of sleep per night and the pressure on his performance in the courthouse led to a repetitive cycle of drinking. The desire to avoid interruption in their careers combined with the strong stigmatization in journalism hinders open discussions and contributes to poorer mental health. Another journalist that developed depression and anxiety was when her 2006 story about racism in Quebec resulted in public outrage. From perturbing comments, death threats, and a letter addressed from the Prime Minister of Quebec, Wong fell into clinical depression (Wong). When she reached out to her newspaper, The Globe and Mail, Wong’s credibility and sanity were questioned as she was terminated from her position shortly after. In fighting the stigma in journalism, Wong suggests, “What the industry has to do is hold management accountable. They think we’re so afraid of the stigma that we won’t speak about it. As journalists, we can’t be afraid” (Wong).

Treatment and therapy are indeed effective options in countering mental health issues for journalists. Matthew Friedman, a senior advisor to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for PTSD claims that treatment for journalists struggling under this condition is aligned similarly with treatment for sexual assault victims (Taibi). However, efforts to increase organizational support in the workforce are necessary for continuous stability and prosperity. By introducing trauma awareness education, decreasing stress behind traumatic news assignments along with providing appropriate, alternative resources, journalists may feel more liberated to speak out for their mental health.