Dr. Kortni (00:00)
Welcome to the Compassionate Newsroom, your gateway to transforming the heart and soul of journalism. I'm your host, Dr. Kortni Alston Lemon. I'm a former news director and television reporter turned happiness scholar. Now I train news leaders and journalists worldwide, teaching them how to cultivate workplace wellbeing and resilience with positive psychology. Each week, join me as I share evidence-based strategies.
and talk with some of the most inspiring people in the industry, including news leaders, journalists, trainers, and mental health experts. Together we'll share actionable approaches to help you. Imagine a newsroom that not only cares about the story, but profoundly values the people behind them. A place where compassion is the competitive advantage. Don't just listen, become part of this transformative journey. Subscribe to and share The Compassionate Newsroom. Let's champion a more supportive,
healthier and happier newsroom culture, one episode at a time.
Dr. Kortni (01:03)
Happy Wellbeing Wednesday. I'm Dr. Kortni I am so happy that you're here. I'm here to guide you through what I feel is a very important conversation. And it's about compassion fatigue. Now this is a topic that touches the news industry in one way or another, especially considering the intense nature of the stories we cover. Compassion fatigue is a form of stress or tension.
that arises from frequent contact with traumatized individuals. Now leading us to become preoccupied by the suffering and pain of others is also a serious issue that can undermine a person's mental and physical health, as well as negatively impacting the relationships and ability to care for others. this information that I'm gonna share today, it comes from an incredible article from
of positivepsychology.com. And if you haven't had a chance to visit positivepsychology.com, it is really a great resource. I'm actually going to leave the article in the show notes so you can start to really dive in on what is compassion fatigue and the 24 causes and symptoms explained to really begin to help you develop and cultivate your skills
being able to recognize compassion fatigue. this is a professional hazard. We need to think about this because one of the things I feel that is so common within our industry that journalists, right, being in terms of first on the scene and also dealing with vicarious trauma. And it's similar.
to the healthcare industry and social work. Keep in mind this example. Nurses often work in environments where faced with daily severe injuries, illness, and emotional trauma. the Dart Center says that about 80 to 100 % of journalists face work-related trauma. And this comparison to nursing
is really something that we need to begin to observe and think about some proactive strategies within our industry. what nurses, can have continuous exposure that can lead to deep emotional toll manifesting as physical exhaustion or numbness to pain and suffering, which can make it even harder for them to care. So what can we
as journalists, as news leaders, learn from professions like nursing. first thing we need to learn is to recognize that this is a shared experience that can be incredibly validating, As I mentioned in previous episodes, it's okay not to be okay. understanding that you're not alone in feeling overwhelmed or emotionally drained is really
a first step towards managing it. Another great takeaway to keep in mind is the importance of support systems. We've talked about this in past episodes, with Emma Thompson from Self-Investigation talks about the peer support system that she helped cultivate with Reuters. I will also leave that episode in the show notes as well. with nursing, they have hospitals and they are often structured support systems.
that they have in place like counseling and peer support. We need to cultivate similar resources in our newsrooms. Encouraging open discussions about mental health can destigmatize these feelings and lead to better coping skills. And as leaders, self-awareness is important. I'm going to say it one more time because it's that important. Self-awareness is essential.
for recognizing signs and symptoms of compassion fatigue within our teams. It is essential to provide support to cultivate early interventions and to offer resources. So begin thinking about implementing regular check-ins, creating spaces for team members to express their struggles without fear of judgment and providing access to mental health resources that are proactive.
actionable steps that we can take. Just as in healthcare where staff are encouraged to take breaks and manage their schedules to avoid burnout, we in the news must learn to pace ourselves and recognize the signs of compassion fatigue early. Now, as I wrap up today's episode, remember that taking care of yourself It's something you must do.
It is a benefit. It starts with you and ensure that you continue to tell the stories and to help lead your team and them also helping to tell the stories of the community, the people that it affects, and also giving yourself grace and taking care of you.
Remember, we're all in this together and asking for help is okay. And always remember this, I'm here with you every step of the way. So let's keep this conversation going until next time. Make sure that you begin, if you haven't already, to start to really honor your self care. It is your most important job.
Until then, take care.
