The growing burden of stress and psychological disorders has emerged as a serious concern within the journalism profession in Nigeria and globally, a leading mental health expert has cautioned.
A Consultant Psychiatrist at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH), Dr Aminu Ibrahim Shehu, delivered the warning during a presentation titled “Pressure Amid Deadline: Psychiatric/Mental Health Precautions” at the 2025 Retreat of the Kano Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), held at Pyramid Hotel in Kaduna.
He explained that the demanding, fast-paced nature of news gathering continues to expose journalists to chronic stress, trauma, depression and other mental health challenges.
According to him, the pressure to meet deadlines, witness tragic events and constantly pursue breaking news places reporters in situations similar to those experienced by military personnel who are routinely confronted with distressing scenes.
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“Journalists are stressed and always under pressure to meet deadlines and break the news. What can we do about it? Even though stress is always around us, the only place you stay without stress is the graveyard,” he said.
Dr Shehu added that many journalists silently struggle with emotional exhaustion because of the sensitive and sometimes traumatic assignments they cover, stressing that the long-term effects can lead to depression, suicide and other stress-related illnesses if not properly managed.
He urged media practitioners to take their mental wellbeing seriously by seeking medical or emotional support when overwhelmed, maintaining healthier work habits and ensuring adequate sleep and rest.
He noted that several journalists have lost their lives to untreated depression, underscoring the need to prioritise psychological health as much as physical wellbeing.
The psychiatrist emphasised that recognising early signs of stress and seeking help promptly would significantly reduce avoidable tragedies within the profession.
