MOMBASA, Kenya – Journalists have been urged to speak openly about mental health challenges and seek support without fear of stigma, amid growing concern over stress, burnout, and emotional strain within the media industry.
Mombasa Press Club Chairperson Omar Abdallah, popularly known as Ommy Dallah, has called on media practitioners to break the culture of silence that often surrounds mental health struggles, warning that ignoring emotional distress can have serious consequences on personal well-being and professional performance.
Speaking during training session for journalists in Mombasa, Abdallah noted that the demanding nature of journalism, exposure to traumatic events, job insecurity, and workplace pressure have made media workers increasingly vulnerable to mental health challenges.
“We must encourage journalists to speak out whenever they are facing challenges. Keeping problems to yourself can have serious consequences on one’s mental health and overall well-being,” he said.
He observed that despite growing awareness of mental health issues, many journalists continue to suffer in silence while dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, and burnout linked to their day-to-day reporting duties.
“As journalists, we are often expected to be strong and resilient, but we are also human beings. We face the same challenges as everyone else, and sometimes even more because of the nature of our work. There should be no shame in seeking support,” Abdallah added.
Abdallah further revealed that the Mombasa Press Club is working on a comprehensive mental health training programme in collaboration with partners and stakeholders aimed at equipping journalists with practical tools to manage stress and identify early signs of psychological distress.
According to him, the initiative will focus on creating awareness, building resilience among media practitioners, and improving access to psychosocial support services.
“We are working closely with our partners to organise mental health training sessions for journalists. The goal is to create awareness, build resilience, and provide practical coping mechanisms that can help media practitioners navigate the pressures of the profession,” he said.
He emphasized that mental wellness is no longer a peripheral issue but a central concern in ensuring a healthy and effective media industry.
“A journalist who is mentally healthy is better placed to serve the public effectively, tell impactful stories, and uphold professional standards. Mental health should be treated with the same seriousness as physical health,” he noted.
The Press Club Chairperson also called on media houses, professional associations, and development partners to invest more in psychosocial support systems and create safe spaces where journalists can openly discuss their challenges without fear of discrimination or professional backlash.
The call comes at a time when global studies continue to highlight rising mental health concerns among journalists, who are often exposed to traumatic incidents, high workloads, public scrutiny, online harassment, and economic uncertainty.
In Kenya, media stakeholders have in recent years raised concern over increasing cases of burnout and stress-related challenges among journalists, particularly those covering hard news beats such as crime, politics, and disaster reporting.
The Mombasa Press Club has continued to position itself as a key advocate for journalist welfare and professional development through training, mentorship programmes, and capacity-building initiatives aimed at strengthening the media sector along the Coast.
