MCK Manager for Press Freedom, Safety and Advocacy Dinnah Ondari says this will encourage the journalists to speak out whenever they face mental challenges in the course of duty.
The Media Council of Kenya is today holding a psychosocial support session for journalists from various media houses based in Mwingi, Kitui County who covered the River Enziu tragedy where 33 people lost their lives after a bus plunged into the river.
“As part of its safety and protection strategy for journalists, the Council appreciates the need for a conducive working environment physically, emotionally and online”, said Ms Ondari.
She added that journalists encounter difficult circumstances by nature of their work that expose them to trauma which, like other health conditions need to be addressed to protect their health.
“One of the biggest challenges around mental health is stigma that discourages many journalists from seeking assistance. There is need for enhanced awareness creation and sensitisation to facilitate mainstreaming of psychosocial intervention”, said Ms Ondari.
Psychosocial expert and Executive Director of IREX East Africa Ms Dinah Kituyi advised journalists to remain vigilant as they go about their work.
“It is important for journalists to understand what to look out for when they have experienced disturbing situations as it helps to identify lapses that if not addressed can lead to long term trauma”, she said.
The Media Council of Kenya is mandated to promote and protect the rights and privileges of journalists in the country. In this regard, the Council recognises that mental health is a critical component of journalists' safety and protection and is formulating strategies to address such issues affecting journalists in the line of duty.
The Media Council has just concluded a survey on the status of mental health in the Kenyan media and will share the statistics once the analysis is done. The result of this survey will be used to formulate strategies aimed at mitigating mental health challenges among journalists and media practitioners as a way of improving their working environment.