The Africa Media Development Foundation, AMDF has received a pat on the back for consistently standing by the Kaduna State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists in building the capacity of members in various areas.
These areas include investigative journalism, workshops on Safety and fact – checking as well as mental health which was held on Friday in Kaduna.
The Chairman, Kaduna State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Comrade Abdulgafar Alabelewe made the delightful expression at a Mental Health training, organised by the AMDF in collaboration with the Council.
Represented by the Secretary of the Council, Comrade Gambo Santos Sanga, the Chairman sees the training as of immense significance to journalists who operate in an environment where they are exposed to distressing and traumatic sights in the line of duty.
The training, Alabelewe emphasized, places journalists in a better position to responsibly report mental health issues within the society, helping to reduce stigma and promote understanding through stories.
A group photograph by participants
The Council Chairman however pointed out that while journalists were always consumed with the drive to break the news and serve the public, they forgot to take care of themselves.
” Journalist who is not mentally sound cannot effectively hold leaders accountable or serve the society as expected”, he said.
In her opening remarks, the Executive Director, Africa Media Development Foundation, AMDF, Mrs Sekyen Dadik who acknowledged the critical role journalists play in shaping the society, also stressed the need to recognise the unique challenge they face which could impact their well being.
Mrs. Dadik
The training, she explained, was aimed at equipping participants with essential tools and strategies to manage stress, build resilience and promote mental health.
Mrs. Dadik thanked the NUJ State Council for the partnership and also the resource person, Dr. Sanni Kamaldeen of the Federal Neuro- Psychiatric Hospital, Kaduna for his support towards promoting mental well being among journalists.
In his lecture, Dr. Kamaldeen, urged journalists to pay close attention to signs of stress, anxiety and emotional exhaustion, stressing that mental health was just as important as physical health.
He challenged media professionals to break the culture of silence around psychological struggles and seek help when necessary, assuring that timely interventions could prevent more serious complications.
Participants at the training said it could not have come at a better time, given the increasingly hostile and traumatic environments journalists often work in.
