2025 Reports

The Journalist Trauma Support Network: An Innovative Training Program to Support Journalists’ Mental Health

Sachs, Emily; Newman, Elana; Porterfield, Katherine; Hockensmith, Kirby; Shapiro, Bruce A.

Media professionals today face a unique combination of exposure to traumatic content and high-stakes occupational stressors. Yet few mental health practitioners are equipped to address the specific demands, culture, and risks associated with news production. In response, the Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma at Columbia University launched the Journalist Trauma Support Network (JTSN) in 2021—a groundbreaking pilot program designed to train experienced trauma therapists in the occupational culture and mental health needs of journalists. From 2021 to 2023, the program trained 39 clinicians and provided free, time-limited therapy to 65 journalists as part of the training. Evaluation data assessed feasibility, utilization, clinical outcomes, and participant satisfaction. Results showed highly efficient referrals, exceptional engagement, and a reduction in clinically significant PTSD, depression, anxiety, and stress from 60% to 23% among journalist participants. Both therapists and journalists reported high satisfaction with the program. This white paper presents the full evaluation findings and highlights the critical role of journalist-specific clinical training, sustained clinician communities, and reliable referral pathways in supporting the mental health and resilience of news professionals amid growing professional pressures.