Journalists at risk of burnout as MCK pushes for better mental health reporting and support

Journalist urged to prioritise their mental health.[Courtesy]

Journalists from Kisumu, Kakamega, Busia and Siaya counties have been urged to strengthen ethical reporting on mental health while also prioritising their own mental well-being, as Kenya prepares for the next General Election.

The call was made during a mental health reporting training in Kakamega organised by the Media Council of Kenya (MCK) in partnership with Basic Needs Basic Rights Kenya on Tuesday. The workshop aimed to equip journalists with skills on responsible mental health reporting, promote self-care among media practitioners, and encourage balanced reporting that reduces stigma surrounding mental illness.

Speaking during the training, Media Council of Kenya Regional Coordinator Teddy Evans said the workshop was designed to enhance journalists' understanding of mental health and improve the quality of reporting on the subject.

"The sole responsibility of us meeting here is to sharpen their skills in terms of how they report on issues of mental health and to deepen their understanding of the entire concept of mental health," said Evans.

He noted that journalists are not only responsible for informing the public but are also vulnerable to mental health challenges because of the nature of their work.

"Journalists are human beings, and therefore they are also affected by some of these issues. Beyond that, they have the core responsibility of informing their audiences on mental health matters. It is important for them to understand the best practices in reporting these stories in accordance with the Code of Conduct for the Practice of Journalism in Kenya," he added.

Evans said MCK is collaborating with various stakeholders to mainstream mental wellness in media programs across the country.

"We will continue working with partners even as we head into the General Election because we recognize there is a need for continuous capacity building. Journalists should be able to carry out self-assessments and seek help whenever necessary. We will also work with psychologists who can walk the journey with journalists who identify that they need professional support," he said.

Basic Needs Basic Rights Kenya Programme Officer Eugene Wenekeya said the organisation partnered with MCK after realising there was inadequate public awareness on mental health despite ongoing interventions in communities.

"We are basically a mental health organisation and in the course of our work we realised there is a gap in terms of information reaching the public. We have many interventions within communities, but the broader public hardly gets to hear about them because mental health receives minimal media coverage," he said.

Wenekeya said the partnership seeks to help journalists shift from focusing only on tragic mental health stories to reporting hopeful and informative stories that educate the public.

"We want reporting to focus on positive stories around mental health and not just the negative stories that we keep seeing. Mental illnesses are illnesses just like any other. People can go to the hospital, receive treatment, or manage their conditions and continue living productive lives like everyone else in society," he said.

He noted that the training was also meant to introduce journalists to global best practices in mental health reporting while helping them communicate accurate information to the public.

"We have worrying statistics around mental health. Government estimates show that one in every four people is likely to experience a mental health condition, yet we rarely have these conversations. We want to work with journalists to ensure this information reaches as many Kenyans as possible," he said.

According to Wenekeya, the approaching election period is likely to increase stress levels among many Kenyans, making mental health awareness even more critical.

"Stress is a normal part of life, but if people fail to manage it, it can develop into depression, which is a mental health condition. If people know how to identify mental illnesses in themselves and others and know where to seek help, then we can build mentally healthier communities," he explained.

He further expressed concern over Kenya's limited investment in mental healthcare.

"Budget allocation towards mental health remains extremely low. It is only a tiny fraction of the national health budget, yet the recommended allocation is about five percent. We also know that nearly KSh62 billion is lost every year because of reduced productivity  resulting from untreated mental health conditions. If the government recognises the economic benefits of investing in mental health, then we are likely to see greater priority given to this sector," he added.

Mental health practitioner Caleb Odhiambo challenged journalists to deliberately prioritise self-care to prevent burnout, depression and trauma associated with their demanding profession.

"Journalists spend their lives reporting difficult stories for the public to read, watch and listen to. It is important that they also take care of themselves so they do not risk burnout, depression or trauma," he said.

Odhiambo encouraged journalists to recognise when they are overwhelmed and seek support before their mental health deteriorates.

"One of the biggest takeaways from this workshop is the importance of taking breaks, recharging and speaking out whenever you feel overwhelmed. Many people remain silent until they burn out. When that happens, someone else simply takes over their job, and the individual is forgotten. We do not want to lose our journalists because they remain an important national resource," he said.

He also urged media houses to strengthen workplace support systems by creating environments that promote employee wellness.

"Media organizations should reflect on how they support their staff to minimize burnout. They need to provide opportunities for self-awareness sessions and create spaces where journalists can unwind whenever necessary. These measures will help produce healthier journalists who can better serve society," he added.

Media Council of Kenya Press Freedom and Advocacy Manager Rebecca Mutiso emphasised that journalists play a crucial role in changing public perceptions about mental health.

"We have come to Kakamega to engage journalists on mental health because for a long time reporting has mainly focused on negative stories. This negativity bias has discouraged many people from seeking treatment, with some choosing to hide their mental health conditions instead of getting the care they deserve," she said.

Mutiso said journalists are exposed to traumatic experiences in the course of their work and should not ignore their own mental health.

"As the Media Council of Kenya, we recognise the role journalism plays in shaping mental health narratives. At the same time, journalists themselves are exposed to traumatic events every day. If they do not seek help when they need it, their work suffers, and they may also transfer that trauma to their families. Through this partnership with Basic Needs Basic Rights Kenya, our goal is to ensure journalists report mental health issues ethically while also understanding themselves and seeking professional care whenever necessary," she said.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and Kenya's Ministry of Health, one in every four people seeking healthcare in Kenya has a mental health condition. This translates to approximately 11.5 million Kenyans living with mental health disorders, with men being disproportionately affected. Despite the growing burden, mental health remains highly stigmatised, making it difficult for many people to openly discuss their struggles or seek treatment.

Kenya's mental disorder prevalence currently stands at 4.4 percent, with depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and substance abuse among the leading conditions. National data further shows that men account for nearly 80 percent of suicide deaths, making them four times more likely to die by suicide than women.

The Kenya Red Cross also reports that 40 percent of Kenyan men have never spoken to anyone about their mental health, highlighting the deep-rooted stigma and cultural silence surrounding mental illness. Kenya's suicide rate currently stands at six deaths per 100,000 people, although experts note that the absence of a national suicide registry continues to undermine effective prevention efforts.

Globally, the World Health Organisation estimates that one in every ten men lives with depression or anxiety, yet fewer than half seek professional help. Men are also four times more likely to die by suicide than women and experience higher rates of alcohol-related deaths.