By Uzair Adam
Stress and worsening mental health challenges have been identified as escalating threats to the journalism profession in Nigeria and beyond, a leading psychiatrist has warned.
A Consultant Psychiatrist at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH), Dr Aminu Ibrahim Shehu, sounded the warning while presenting a paper titled “Pressure Amid Deadline: Psychiatric/Mental Health Precautions” during the 2025 Retreat of the Kano Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), held at Pyramid Hotel, Kaduna.
He explained that the fast-paced and pressure-filled nature of journalism has exposed many practitioners to chronic stress, trauma, depression and other psychological disorders.
“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 stated.
Dr Shehu noted that journalists often witness tragic and disturbing events first-hand, which can gradually weaken their mental stability.
He observed that, like military personnel, reporters frequently find themselves at scenes of violence and tragedy, making them highly prone to trauma.
He warned that unless journalists begin to take mental health seriously, the profession may continue to lose members to depression, suicide and stress-related illnesses.
The psychiatrist advised journalists to seek medical and emotional support whenever they feel overwhelmed, develop healthier work routines, identify stress triggers early, and ensure adequate rest and sleep.
He also cited cases of journalists who died by suicide or from untreated depression, stressing that psychological wellbeing should be given the same level of attention as physical health.
Nice blog.