Meru Press Club (MPC) held the first ever media mental health awareness forum to help curb the threats of mental illness among media personnel.
Meru Press Club is a professional association that brings together journalists from the region and beyond.
The event, which is the first journalist to journalist wellbeing initiative in the country, brought together news reporters from Meru, Tharaka Nithi, Isiolo and Embu counties.
It included medical screening for various conditions including blood pressure, cancer, counselling as well as football matches.
The activity was supported by Article 19 Eastern Africa, Defenders Coalition, Meru County department of health, The Platform Magazine, Meru University of Science and Technology, Kenya Methodist University among others.
Speaking at Meru Teachers Training Colleague on 14th December, MPC chairman David Muchui said the club launched the initiative owing to high cases of mental ailments among journalists in the region.
He noted that Journalists encounter traumatizing events such as violence and crime and suffer in silence a move that he said takes a toll on them.
Muchui expressed concern over a culture of silence among media personnel which has left many suffering unattended.
“Journalists often have to listen to harrowing stories that weigh heavily on them emotionally. They also work under tight deadlines and some go without rest for a long time. I urge journalists to speak out and seek help before stress turns into depression,” he said.
Mr Muchui called on Media houses to improve the welfare of journalists by providing counselling services to affected staff members.
Vice chairperson Dorcas Mbatia also noted that mental health is a neglected priority in many newsrooms despite growing conversations about its importance.
Media Council of Kenya (MCK) regional coordinator Jackson Karaja said the council has prioritized mental wellness of journalists across the country to help boost productivity in their work.
“As a council we are in the front line in providing psychosocial and emotional support for journalists’ mental health and well-being,” said Karanja.
He established that engaging in open dialogue on mental health will aid in eradicating the stigma associated with journalists reporting from the frontline.
MCK Director for Media Training and Development Victor Bwire earlier said that continuous collaboration with stakeholders in the health and media sector will assist in developing a robust mental health awareness program tailored for media workers.
