Inside a newsroom, the rush often feels like the pulse of life itself. Phones ring, notifications never stop, and taking a break feels like a luxury. Yet beneath that seemingly productive rhythm, something slowly erodes, our peace of mind.
Dr. Kate West, associate professor and graduate advisor at the School of Journalism and Media, The University of Texas at Austin, reminded us that many journalists rarely give themselves time to release the stress.
“We seldom take time to calm down or process what we’ve just gone through,” she said. As a result, the pressure can keep building until it turns into burnout, being emotionally exhausted, and detached from daily life. Burnout is not merely physical exhaustion. It is the loss of meaning. When it happens, a journalist or really anyone can feel detached from their work.
West emphasized the importance of maintaining a healthy level of stress, since it is impossible to do this job without any stress at all. What must be avoided is the point where stress paralyzes instead of strengthens.
The typically tough newsroom culture can often makes things worse. Many newsrooms, especially in the United States, still hold on to an old principle ‘suck it up’, if you cannot handle the pressure, you do not belong here, West said.
But, many journalists today reject that notion, West said. They have grown up in an era more aware of mental health, unafraid to admit they feel anxiety. The newsroom’s task is no longer to test resilience, but to build a more humane environment, she added.
She encouraged editors to regularly check in with their teams. It does not have to wait for major coverage. Sometimes all it takes is a simple question: “Are you okay after that interview?” she said. That small gesture can help journalists feel seen as human beings, not just news-producing machines. West also highlighted the value of mentors who are available to listen, not merely to give instructions.
I recalled long days covering tragedies, exhausting, yet often treated as just another part of the job. In my newsroom, mental health has rarely been prioritized over the adrenaline rush of breaking news.
After hearing West’s insights, I began to see that mental health deserves to be a priority. A mentally healthy journalist writes with empathy. They do not lose curiosity about others, because they stay connected to themselves. That reflection is simple but powerful, to care for oneself is to care for journalism.
In the relentless current of news, perhaps the real courage lies in taking care of our own mental health first, so we can write and report with an open heart.
