By Salihu Ali, Kano
Mental health professionals have given a warning over growing incidences of stress, depression, and trauma among journalists in Nigeria, calling for urgent measures to protect the well-being of media practitioners who operate under intense deadline pressures.
The caution was delivered by Dr. Aminu Ibrahim Shehu, a Consultant Psychiatrist at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH), while addressing journalists at the 2025 Retreat of the Kano Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), held in Kaduna, North West Nigeria.
Presenting a paper titled “Pressure Amid Deadline: Psychiatric/Mental Health Precautions,” Dr. Shehu said the demanding and fast-paced nature of journalism exposes professionals nationwide to chronic stress, burnout, psychological trauma, and depression.
He said, “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 remarked.
He explained that journalists, like security agencies and first responders, often witness tragic and traumatic scenes from accidents to violent conflicts, making them highly vulnerable to emotional and psychological distress over time.
Dr. Shehu warned that if mental health is not prioritized within Nigeria’s media industry, the nation risks losing more journalists to depression, suicide, and stress-related health complications.
He urged journalists across the country to seek timely medical and emotional support, adopt healthier work routines, identify stress triggers early, and ensure adequate rest and sleep despite tight deadlines.
Citing cases of journalists with untreated depression, Dr. Shehu called for a broader national conversation on mental health in the media, emphasizing that psychological well-being is as crucial as physical health.
He emphasized that safeguarding the mental health of journalists is essential for maintaining a strong, resilient, and responsible press capable of supporting Nigeria’s democratic development.