Behind the Bylines - Confronting the silent mental health crisis in journalism
World Press Freedom Day
Proposed by The UN General Assembly, 3rd May is World Press Freedom Day. Approved under Article 19 of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights, this day is observed to raise awareness of the importance of freedom of the press. This day is observed to reflect on the crucial role of the press in upholding democracy and the ever growing challenges journalists and writers face across globe.
The word ‘press’ was originally used for printing press, which was the centers of dissemination of information. In today’s’ digital world it has come to represent the collective media and is given a new name, ‘fourth pillar of democracy.’
Earlier, journalism was considered the watchdog of democracy whose responsibility was to expose corruption, champion human rights and give voice to those who were marginalized. However, the recent years have witnessed a great decline in press freedom globally. According to the latest World Press Freedom Index 2025 by Reporters Without Borders, more than a half of the world’s population now lives in countries where press freedom is severely restricted. The factors that threaten this pillar include economic pressure, political interference and safety concerns, which have collectively contributed to this downfall.
The pressure and interference journalists and writers face has intensified in last few years especially in conflict zones. One such stark example is the Israel-Gaza conflict. At the start of 2025, A total of 176 (out of whom 168 were Palestanians) journalists and media workers were killed in the conflict according to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), making it the most deadliest period for journalists in the region.
The situation hasn’t changed. Journalists in Gaza face relentless challenges such as constant bombing, electricity outages, internet block and gruesome deaths. Despite all these they continue their mission with the help of the limited resources available.
The situation is India has not been immune to the global decline in press freedom. The RSF 2024 World Press Freedom Index put India on 159th spot out of 180 countries which reflects the growing interference. The targeting of fact-checkers and independent media outlets has further made this worse. Such incidents are not just hurdles in journalistic works but are also a major risk factor to the mental well-being of media professionals. According to a detailed report published by The Hindu, India stand 7th on the index where most number of journalists and media workers were killed between 2015-24.
When seasoned journalists such as Ravish Kumar and Rajdeep Sardesai transitioned from mainstream television to independent digital platforms, and when Prannoy Roy eventually yielded to mounting political pressures, what the public largely witnessed were the procedural and technical aspects of their departure. Lost in that narrative was the emotional toll, the anguish of relinquishing a platform they helped build and the silent grief of parting from institutions that had been instrumental in shaping their professional identities. Similarly, when fact-checkers face relentless FIRs and legal intimidation for unveiling uncomfortable truths, the world often applauds their resilience and courage, but seldom pauses to acknowledge the psychological burden they quietly endure.
A study conducted in 2024 by journalism.co.uk revealed a record level of burnout, anxiety, depression and post- traumatic stress disorder among journalists globally. The hostilities towards media persons have also intensified these issues.
The situation in India mirrors global concerns. Journalists across the country often operate in high-pressure environments with limited institutional support, particularly when they are not aligned with political establishments. The lack of resources, coupled with increasing external scrutiny, adds to the strain. A significant portion of journalistic work, especially for writers and editors, takes place during late hours, further exacerbating mental fatigue.
Compounding these challenges is the stark lack of financial security within the profession. Journalism, despite its critical role in a democratic society, often fails to offer adequate monetary compensation, especially for those working in regional media, independent platforms, or freelance capacities. Many journalists operate without stable contracts, insurance, or retirement benefits, leaving them vulnerable not only to professional uncertainty but also to personal financial strain. This economic precariousness further deepens mental health challenges, as the stress of making ends meet coexists with the pressures of high-stakes reporting.
Crime reporters, in particular, are routinely exposed to graphic violence and traumatic content. Over time, constant exposure to such brutality can lead to emotional desensitization, which is itself a psychological defense mechanism with long-term consequences. Chronic sleep deprivation is another widespread issue. The relentless pace of deadlines, breaking news alerts, and the pressure to stay ahead of the curve severely disrupts regular sleep cycles. Left unaddressed, these conditions can manifest physically, affecting cardiovascular health, immunity, and overall well-being.
As human beings, we are inherently endowed with emotions,and acknowledging them is essential to our overall well-being. When these feelings are consistently ignored or suppressed, they can manifest over time as serious mental and emotional health disorders. For those in journalism and writing, professions marked by relentless pressure, emotional exposure, and intellectual intensity, prioritizing mental health is not optional, but imperative.
If you are a writer or journalist, these are some easy steps you can follow to safeguard your mental health:
• Identify you emotions: After listening to stories steeped in sorrow or enduring an overwhelming workload, it’s only natural to feel emotionally shaken. The first step toward preserving your mental health is to gently admit to yourself that something doesn’t feel right inside. Don’t silence these emotions or brush them aside, they are real, and they matter. Allow yourself the grace to sit with them, to understand them, and to heal with kindness toward your own heart.
• Speak and Share: Isolation can silently accumulate emotional tension. Speaking with a trusted friend, colleague, mentor, or mental health professional can ease, shed light on, and provide perspective. Sharing your experience not only lightens the burden but also reminds you that you are not alone in shouldering the burdens of this demanding profession.
• Institutional Support: Mental health programs should be instituted by media organizations, access to counseling made available and open discussion of wellness promoted.
• Peer Networks: Creating support groups can provide journalists with an opportunity to exchange experiences and coping mechanisms.
• Training and Awareness: Incorporating mental health education in journalism college courses and in newsroom workshops can prepare journalists with techniques for coping with stress.
• Policy Advocacy: Press unions and organizations must advocate for policies to protect the rights of journalists and provide mental health services.
• Seek Help When Needed: There is power in seeking help. If concerns, fatigue, or uncomfortable emotions continue, don't be afraid to go visit a mental health professional. Counseling or therapy can provide healthier ways of coping as well as a safe space in which to fight emotional battles. Taking care of your mental health is an act of awareness, not weakness.
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Andhra to be developed as knowledge, creator economy hub: CM Naidu
New Delhi/Amaravati (PTI): Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Friday said the state is taking steps to transform itself into a knowledge and creator economy hub with a strong focus on artificial intelligence and quantum technology.
He noted that Andhra Pradesh has abundant tech-driven youth and the government is formulating plans to train them in futuristic technologies with support from global technology firms.
"Our goal is to transform Andhra Pradesh into a knowledge hub by focusing on AI, quantum computing, data centres, drone cities and space cities. The youth will remain our biggest asset over the next 25 years, and we seek global partnerships to scale up the creator economy," said Naidu during his interactions at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in Delhi.
Naidu, who participated in the summit in the national capital, also held meetings with several global technology leaders and industrialists to explore collaborations in artificial intelligence, clean energy and innovation ecosystems.
He met Adobe CEO Shantanu Narayen, Autodesk AI Head Mike Haley, Aramco India Director Abdul Rehman AiThukair, LEGO Education Vice President Tom Hall, Aadhaar Founder and CTO Srikanth Nadhamuni, Khosla Ventures Managing Partner Vinod Khosla and others at the AP Pavilion.
The chief minister also held discussions with Saudi Aramco representatives on clean energy projects, including solar initiatives, and invited the company to expand operations in Andhra Pradesh, stating that the state is highly suitable for green energy production.
He sought support from NVIDIA Vice President Callista Redmond for establishing AI Living Labs and proposed partnerships through the Ratan Tata Innovation Hub to promote youth innovation, including collaborations with IIT Tirupati and Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Tirupati under the Andhra Pradesh Future Innovation and Research for Science and Technology (AP FIRST) initiative.
Naidu urged Autodesk leadership to support the development of Global Capability Centres in design engineering and requested the establishment of an Innovation Academy in Amaravati aligned with quantum technology, besides proposing AI and robotics learning labs in partnership with LEGO Education.
He also discussed AI-driven smart governance solutions with Quantela Inc Chairman Sridhar Gadhi, while World Bank Group Digital AI Regional Director Mahesh Uttamchandani met Naidu on the sidelines of the summit.
Following the meetings, Naidu visited various exhibition stalls at the summit, including those of NVIDIA, Tata, Intel and Microsoft, and reviewed AI applications across agriculture, healthcare and industry.
