# Mental health resources {% hint style="info" %} Please note that many of the resources shared below are relevant beyond the Ukrainian context and may be useful to other journalists and media workers dealing with a crisis or emergency situation. {% endhint %} ### **Self Investigation** The Self-Investigation, a non-profit focusing on creating a healthy work culture in the media and communication industries**,** was created in mid-2020 as a direct response to the rise in mental health challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Self Investigation provides consultancies, training, coaching, and awareness support to help individuals and media companies integrate well-being and mental health into their work routines, policies, and guidelines. Registered in The Netherlands since November 2021, the organisation works globally to prove that a healthier way of working in the media is possible, urgent and makes smart business sense. Courses, workshops, and training are also offered in Spanish. {% embed url="" %} {% embed url="" %} ### **Surviving Wartime Adversities** This [**article**](https://e-medjournal.com/index.php/psp/article/view/357)**,** written by a leading disaster specialist, contains a list of helpful mental tips for survival. "Whilst much has been learned about the late psychological outcome of traumatic exposure, , for most civilians the task at hand now is to successfully survive whatever level of adversity and horror they have been exposed to; efficiently protect themselves and others around them, and ultimately emerge victorious and minimally scathed by war." This document offers an easy-to-follow survival advice. It is available in Ukrainian [here](https://e-medjournal.com/index.php/psp/article/view/357/593). {% embed url="" %} ### Providing psychological support for Ukrainian journalists A [**Dart Center**](https://dartcenter.org/) [briefing](https://gfmd.info/briefings/psychological-support-for-ua-journalists/) for the information-sharing group on support for Ukrainian media and journalists convened by the **Global Forum for Media Development (GFMD).** Also available in [Ukrainian](https://gfmd.info/briefings/%d0%bf%d1%81%d0%b8%d1%85%d0%be%d0%bb%d0%be%d0%b3%d1%96%d1%87%d0%bd%d0%b0-%d0%bf%d1%96%d0%b4%d1%82%d1%80%d0%b8%d0%bc%d0%ba%d0%b0/). {% embed url="" %} ### Protect yourself against trauma while reporting (podcast) In [**this podcast**](https://www.journalism.co.uk/podcast/ukraine-special-protection-against-traumatic-reporting/s399/a909980/), [**Journalism.co.uk**](https://www.journalism.co.uk/) discusses the impact of reporting the war in Ukraine with trauma therapist Olivia James. {% embed url="" %} "Journalists' mental health is at risk when the news cycle is dominated by death, destruction and uprooted lives. Trauma therapist Olivia James shares soothing techniques and aftercare tips for reporters covering the toughest of news stories." ### Six tips to take care of your mental health while covering the war in Ukraine from afar This [**article by Marina Adami** ](https://reutersinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk/news/six-tips-take-care-your-mental-health-while-covering-war-ukraine-afar)from [**the Reuters Insitute**](https://reutersinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk/) offers tips to navigate the reporting of Ukraine and protect your mental health. "Expert Hannah Storm, founder of Headlines Network, advises reporters and editors on how to protect themselves while monitoring the conflict." {% embed url="" %} ### 12 tips for covering traumatic stories remotely An increasing numbers of journalists are suffering from the effect of covering the war in Ukraine remotely. This [**article from Journalism.co.uk suggests 12 tips for covering traumatic stories remotely**](https://www.journalism.co.uk/news-commentary/12-tips-for-covering-traumatic-stories-remotely/s6/a907958/). From avoiding graphic images to connecting with colleagues, Hannah Storm (founder and co-director of [**Headlines Network**](https://headlines-network.com/)) provides tips from her from my years working in media safety and mental health. {% embed url="" %} ### IJN's Mental Health and Journalism Toolkit The [**International Journalists' Network**](https://ijnet.org/en) has collated resources in this [**Mental Health Toolkit**](https://ijnet.org/en/toolkit/mental-health-and-journalism) to address different aspects of the issue: from post-traumatic stress disorder to digital wellness. Browse more of these articles and podcasts [**here**](https://ijnet.org/en/toolkit/mental-health-and-journalism)**.** {% embed url="" %} ### Investigating War Crimes: Self-Care for Covering Traumatic Events [GIJN](https://gijn.org/)’s comprehensive [**Reporter’s Guide to Investigating War Crimes**](https://gijn.org/resource/gijn-reporters-guide-investigating-war-crimes/) includes expert advice from more than two dozen specialists and journalists, covering everything from the legal aspects of war, to self-care for covering traumatic events. {% embed url="" %} ### Leading Resilience: A Guide for Editors and News Managers on Working with Freelancers Exposed to Trauma A collaboration between [**ACOS Alliance**](https://www.acosalliance.org/) and [**Dart Centre Asia Pacific**](https://dartcenter.org/asia-pacific), this guide is designed to help editors and managers understand and support their teams. It is divided into five sections covering both general information and specific suggestions and tips for working with freelancers. {% embed url="" %} This guide offers guidance on a number of key issues such as culture of safety, exposition to trauma, resilience, and risk of serious mental health issues. Read more about the [**Dart Centre For Journalism & Trauma**](https://dartcenter.org/) guide [for editors and news managers working with freelancers exposed to trauma. ](https://dartcenter.org/resources/leading-resilience-guide-editors-and-news-managers-working-freelancers-exposed-trauma) ### Reporting War The [**Dart Center for Journalism & Trauma** ](https://dartcenter.org/)has put together this [booklet](https://dartcenter.org/content/reporting-war-0), collecting recommendations for meeting the emotional challenges of covering war, from a group of seasoned veterans. {% embed url="" %} "While scores of journalists were confronting trauma and danger to cover the Iraq War, a group of seasoned veterans of such assignments took a brief break to gather at Bretton Woods, N.H., and talk about the emotional challenges raised by their duties in the field." Also available in [**Ukrainian.** ](https://dartcenter.org/content/%D1%88%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%BD-%D1%88%D0%BC%D1%96%D0%BA%D0%BB#.VbJldipViko) ### Tips for coping after reporting distressing and traumatic stories "Journalists are generally resilient but they are not immune to trauma and distress, which Kinman said can lead to headaches, muscle tension, fatigue, intrusive thoughts, sleeping problems and nightmares. Some may miss deadlines because they can’t concentrate, or their time management skills may also deteriorate. They might experience panic attacks, anxiety, depression or substance abuse." {% embed url="" %} Read more about [these tips compiled ](https://ijnet.org/en/story/tips-coping-after-reporting-distressing-and-traumatic-stories)by the [**International Journalists' Network**](https://ijnet.org/en) [here](https://ijnet.org/en/story/tips-coping-after-reporting-distressing-and-traumatic-stories). --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://fundraising-guide.gfmd.info/crisis-emergencies/resources/mental-health-resources.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.