2023-10-26 00:13:27
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In the midst of the unfavorable conditions in which journalism is practiced in Latin America, which generate a mental health imbalance, a study was carried out on the situation of professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic in Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela. It was found that one in ten Venezuelan journalists is at risk of suicide and depression.
According to the research that was published this October 24, 42.3% of Venezuelan journalists have somatization problems; while almost half have a risk of anxiety/insomnia. Additionally, 7.7% present social dysfunction; 11.5% depression and 10.5% suicidal risk.
Regarding the symptoms associated with Burnout Syndrome (refers to the chronification of work stress), it was evident that the most present symptom is emotional exhaustion, followed by low personal achievement and depersonalization.
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In this sense, 40% of Venezuelan journalists express risk of post-traumatic stress, a figure that doubles (86.2%) by the stress caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Private Technical University of Loja (UTPL) participated in the research, through the research groups: Clinical and Health Psychology (Allykay) and Communication, Education and Technology (CET).
In addition to journalistic organizations, Fundamedios of Ecuador, Instituto Prensa y Sociedad (IPYS) of Peru and Medianalysis of Venezuela.
The director of Medianalisis, Andrés Cañizález, explained in the report that the COVID-19 pandemic occurred in a context of official opacity in the handling of figures and a general climate of misinformation. Therefore, there are no figures that allow us to indicate with certainty how the virus directly affected Venezuelan journalists.
Lack of training in mental health prevention
In relation to the training received, the 86.5% of journalists in Venezuela have not been trained in mental health prevention, the main need for training detected, followed by characteristics of COVID-19, biosafety protocols and how to carry out coverage in a risk context.
According to the study, 25% of Venezuelan participants perceive themselves as unsuitable for journalistic coverage in risk situations. A third express difficulties in coverage that includes corpses.
Regarding mental health services, 35.2% might only access if the care was free. 21.3% would like to change jobs or leave journalism and 38% consider that their immediate bosses are not interested in their needs or well-being.
Mental health problems increase in the region
According to the analysis in which 315 journalists were surveyed (110 from Venezuela, 106 from Peru and 99 from Ecuador), mental health problems are increasing and They impact the quality of life, the work environment and the social function of this profession in the region.
In relation to the acute stress caused by COVID-19 in 2021, the emotional impact was 73.6% in Ecuadorian journalistsreducing in 2022 to 62.7% in Venezuela; to 55.6% in Ecuador and 54.5% in Peru.
Anxiety, insomnia and somatization problems increased considerably.
In the first study, the percentages were less than 8% and currently range between 43% and 64.5%. In relation to suicide risk, the 2021 prevalence in Ecuador remains similar to the 2022 Peru sample; while compared to Venezuela there was a reduction.
According to the researchers, this report responds to a need in the communication sector and contributes to the development of public policies that consider measures to protect and restore the mental and physical health of those who work with information.
Ignorance of the mental health problems of Latin American journalists, added to the lack of public and occupational health policies, keeps them an extremely vulnerable group.
Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has been a stressful life event that complicated the individual, family, work and social situation.
Implement prevention programs
Journalists in Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela constitute a risk group, given their permanent exposure to events that affect their physical and mental health.
In this sense, researchers recommend prevention programs for psychosocial risk factors in work environments.
They also urge institutions to develop intervention programs in subgroups that have gone through crisis situations during the pandemic.
This is the case of people who have suffered loss of family members, those who have provided coverage in emergency situations or those who have suffered some type of social/workplace violence.
Prevention, evaluation, early detection and timely care They are necessary so that cases of depression and post-traumatic stress disorder do not lead to greater consequences, such as suicide or the development of other mental health problems.
They also urge to promote preventive training for self-care in mental health in the media, faculties and entities related to journalism.
In addition to complementing it with support processes and timely intervention in cases that present symptoms or impact on the performance of daily life.
Mairen Dona LópezHealth
Mairen Dona LópezHealth
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