Journalists Trained on Accurate Reporting On Mental Health Issues
By Becky Moses
As Nigeria joined the rest of the world to mark this year’s World Mental Health Day, more than 35 journalists were trained to report responsibly on mental health issues such as, suicide, trauma, mass tragedies, depression, among others. They were trained during a recent two-day program hosted by the United Nations Information Center (UNIC) and World Health Organisation (WHOl in Abuja.
Some journalists were visibly moved by the sessions, which included instruction on “self-care” for their own mental health when covering stressful events.
In the message of the UN Secretary General, António Guterres on world mental health day, he called on countries to break down the barriers that prevent people suffering from mental health conditions from seeking support.
“And we must address root causes – poverty, inequality, violence, discrimination – and create more compassionate and resilient societies”, Gutierrez said. 
He task Governments to provide care that promotes individuals’ recovery while upholding their rights. This comprehensive care approach includes strengthening community-based support and integrating psychological help into broader health and social care systems.
In his opening remarks, WHO Representative to Nigeria, Walter Kazadi, noted that the media plays a very vital role in disseminating information on mental health and other health issues to inform the people for them to practice behavioural change.
Quoting statistics, he said mental health disorders had increased and affected 15 per cent of working-age adults globally, saying that suicide contributed to death among 15-29-year-olds and up-to 70 per cent of them live in low- and middle-income countries.
Kazadi added that “there is need to build your capacity on mental health issues, given the importance of the work you do.”
Journalists by the nature of their jobs faces tremendous amount of pressure, especially with lot of media outfits working for 24 hours, a day and seven days a week.
He pledged their commitment in building capacity of journalists and to empower them on different aspects of health, including strategies for managing individual health. 
Delivering his address of welcome, the Director, United Nations Information Center (UNIC), Ronald Kayanja, underscored the importance of mental health awareness, said proper understanding of how to manage stress would reduce suicidal thoughts in society.
Kayanja said the training aimed at addressing the pressing need for accurate and responsible reporting on mental health issues in Nigeria.
He added that responsible media coverage plays a key role in improving public comprehension about mental health issues.
“These days, we are so conscious about physical health than our mental health, but now we should also learn a lot about our mental health and take care of it”, he said.
He encouraged journalists to do better in reporting mental health while ensuring their own well-being as well.
The National Coordinator Mental Health, Ministry of Health, Dr Tunde Ojo, explained that the training was designed to equip journalists with a range of skills and strategies to report mental health issues as well as strengthen the competencies of journalists in reporting mental health issues
“In Nigeria, mental health is rarely talked about, as it is usually attributed to alcohol, drug use and evil spirit possession, hence a certain low level of awareness”, he said.
Dr Ojo explained that in a society where stigma and misconceptions still shroud mental health, the need for accurate and compassionate reporting has never been more crucial. 
Senior Human Rights Adviser, Ms. Adwoa Kufuor-Owusuhave, on her part, stressed the need to end coercive practices in mental health such as involuntary detention, forced treatment, seclusion and restraints to respect the right to make decisions about individual’s health care and treatment choices.
“The media has a huge role to play in battling mental health issues, this is by telling stories from a compassionate point of view, everybody is struggling with something, and we have created this stigma of shame around mental health issues”, she said.
UN Stress Counsellor, Mr Micheal Onotu, encouraged journalists to share their experiences.
“Prevention of mental distress and illness begins with being aware of, and understanding, the early warning signs and symptoms of mental distress”, Onotu said.
During the training, reporters received instruction on how to write responsibly on this and other sensitive topics.
Journalists were guided to share valuable information that will help people with mental health issues, especially those who might have suicidal thoughts.
For example, reporters were advised to include information on who and where people can call to get help in their mental health reports.
At the end of the training, journalists expressed gratitude to the organizers as many said they appreciated the self-care part of the training because they are often in stressful “frontline” situations that can affect their mental health.
They suggested continuing such type of training for journalists and thanked UNIC and WHO for taking the initiative to support the health and well-being of journalists.
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