Event Coverage Highlight

by Chad Bouchard

On Sept. 13, the OPC and the Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma hosted a training session on coping with stress, burnout and trauma on the job.

The trainer, Elana Newman, Ph.D., the McFarlin Professor of Psychology at the University of Tulsa, covered a range of strategies for journalists to develop self-care and collegial support, provided techniques for enriching coping skills and wellness, and gave guidance on how to build resilient news teams.

Newman said during her introduction that she considers herself a journalist ally, and has been working with journalists for the past 25 years.

“I value what you do, and I think it’s really important. I know these are hard times, and I just want to thank you for the work that you do,” she said. “This is a period of extraordinary stress and upheaval in journalism, and telling stories about trauma is vitally important for democracy.”

The training included a slide presentation and briefing that covered topics such as stress management, emotional self-awareness, navigating various responses to direct and indirect exposure to trauma and tools to help journalists stay resilient. The session concluded with a Q&A.

Newman referenced a number of resources on the Dart Center website as well as other sites:

• Resources for Journalists Coping With Trauma
• Handling Traumatic Imagery: Developing a Standard Operating Procedure
• Online Abuse: A Self-Defence Guide
• The American Psychological Association (APA) Help Center
• Anxiety and Depression Association of America

Newman has conducted research on topics surrounding the psychological and physical response to traumatic life events, assessment of PTSD in children and adults, journalism and trauma, and understanding the impact of participating in trauma-related research from the trauma survivor’s perspective.