Mental health workshop for journalists co-hosted by BJIM and Mindshaper
The mental health of journalists in Bangladesh was the focus of a workshop titled "Living with Reality," held on August 8, 2023, at Bishwo Shahitto Kendro in Dhaka. The joint initiative between Bangladeshi Journalists in International Media (BJIM) and Mindshaper aimed to address the mental health issues faced by journalists, particularly in relation to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
The workshop came in response to the recent Milestone school plane crash, which had a profound impact on the mental wellbeing of many journalists. Clinical and counselling psychologist Rukonuzzaman Rupom from Mindshaper provided guidance on coping with trauma, avoiding internalizing psychological stress, and finding ways to heal.
Key features of the nearly four-hour session included exercises to regulate emotions, techniques to achieve work-life balance, understanding different psychological responses, Q&A sessions, and sharing of personal experiences related to trauma and mental health among participants.
Twenty journalists participated in the workshop, gaining insights on managing the demanding nature of their profession and learning practical coping mechanisms for mental health challenges.
Sam Jahan, the convenor of BJIM, stated that mental health awareness is a relatively new concept in Bangladesh, and this initiative aims to inform journalists, raise awareness, and help them learn how to take care of themselves.
Sazzad Hossain, spokesperson of Mindshaper, said that journalists are the mirror of society, and when they learn to take care of their mental health, they become the strongest advocates for spreading awareness across the entire society. Mindshaper is proud to be part of such an initiative.
At the program’s conclusion, certificates were awarded to participants by BJIM and Mindshaper, marking their successful completion of the workshop and their commitment to prioritizing their mental health. The workshop underscored the importance of mental health awareness in journalism, noting that this is a crucial topic in Bangladesh that requires attention and action.
- In the aftermath of the Milestone school plane crash, the workshop titled "Living with Reality," which took place on August 8, 2023, at Bishwo Shahitto Kendro in Dhaka, emphasized the relevance of science, particularly the field of health-and-wellness and mental-health, in addressing the mental health issues faced by journalists plagued with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- As stated by clinical and counselling psychologist Rukonuzzaman Rupom from Mindshaper, speakers at the workshop presented techniques from the realm of health-and-wellness and mental-health, such as exercises to regulate emotions and achieving work-life balance, to help journalists cope with trauma and maintain their mental health.
