By Technological advancement has significantly facilitated access to information and improved working conditions for media employees. However, despite these improvements, journalists and media workers face growing challenges that negatively impact their mental health and psychological well-being.
For this reason, the Media Union of Montenegro (SMCG), with the support of the OSCE Mission to Montenegro, has launched a campaign to raise awareness of these issues and support media workers who confront these challenges daily.
The fast pace of work, tight deadlines, constant exposure to stressful situations and potentially traumatic events, and increasing pressure to produce content all contribute to the rise of burnout syndrome and other psychological difficulties.
Burnout syndrome, better known as burnout, is an especially serious issue because it can affect journalists’ ability to perform their jobs efficiently and without compromise.
Additionally, constant exposure to stress and threats can lead to long-term mental health issues, including anxiety and depression.
Therefore, it is essential to provide media workers with adequate psychological support to prevent more serious health problems and allow them to continue working in safe conditions.
The psychological support service includes counseling, education, awareness campaigns, and providing both individual and group therapy.
In collaboration with the OSCE Mission, SMCG recently published a guide titled “Handbook for Better Understanding of Media Employees’ Psychological Well-Being,” authored by psychologist Dragana Đokić and journalist/editor Milorad Ivanović.
The handbook, available at this link: https://sindikatmedija.me/publikacije/prirucnik-za-bolje-razumijevanje-psiholoskog-blagostanja-zaposlenih-u-medijima/ , is the first comprehensive document that maps the challenges facing media employees and offers clear guidelines for providing assistance to colleagues.
The goal of the Media Union is to empower employees to take care of their psychological well-being and to encourage management and leadership to recognize the importance of this issue and actively work towards creating work environments that support employees’ psychological well-being.
