Stronger Minds, Stronger Media: Why protecting journalists’ mental health is essential for journalism’s future
European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) (2025), 26 pp.
"1 Don’t call it 'mental' health or 'psychosocial' if you want to attract a wide audience! Replace it with “healthy working culture” and “good leadership skills.”
2 Fix the system not the workers (but include support to relieve individual suffering) - address the cause of the problem in a systemic way.
3 Keep it simple! There is a lot a newsroom/union can do without it costing money: from informal employee networks to regular check-ins with managers.
4 If you do training, start with managers first! They are essential to shift workplace culture.
5 The power of knowing you are not alone - build networks!
6 Challenge unspoken norms about “superhuman” journalistic culture - managers need to role model healthy working practices.
7 Tackle toxic management culture - leaders need more training, the best leaders care about their people.
8 Don’t overpsychologise! We need to remind ourselves what is good about journalism." (Top Take-Aways, page 21)
2 Fix the system not the workers (but include support to relieve individual suffering) - address the cause of the problem in a systemic way.
3 Keep it simple! There is a lot a newsroom/union can do without it costing money: from informal employee networks to regular check-ins with managers.
4 If you do training, start with managers first! They are essential to shift workplace culture.
5 The power of knowing you are not alone - build networks!
6 Challenge unspoken norms about “superhuman” journalistic culture - managers need to role model healthy working practices.
7 Tackle toxic management culture - leaders need more training, the best leaders care about their people.
8 Don’t overpsychologise! We need to remind ourselves what is good about journalism." (Top Take-Aways, page 21)
1 Introduction, 1
2 Key Insights, 3
3 GOOD PRACTICE – HOW CAN WE SUPPORT JOURNALISTS?
Helpline: peer support helps to overcome stigma in Germany -- Portugal: union-led actions help people feel less alone -- Finland: national broadcaster YLE invests in wellbeing despite cuts -- Reuters: How to help fact checkers minimise online harassment and vicarious trauma -- Italy: How a survey made freelancers feel heard and create community -- Montenegro: A package of support made possible by external funding -- Serbia: Journalist association promotes support via social media campaign
4 RECOMMENDATIONS, 17
5 CONCLUSIONS, 21
2 Key Insights, 3
3 GOOD PRACTICE – HOW CAN WE SUPPORT JOURNALISTS?
Helpline: peer support helps to overcome stigma in Germany -- Portugal: union-led actions help people feel less alone -- Finland: national broadcaster YLE invests in wellbeing despite cuts -- Reuters: How to help fact checkers minimise online harassment and vicarious trauma -- Italy: How a survey made freelancers feel heard and create community -- Montenegro: A package of support made possible by external funding -- Serbia: Journalist association promotes support via social media campaign
4 RECOMMENDATIONS, 17
5 CONCLUSIONS, 21
