The Elon chapter will host four speakers to discuss maintaining mental health as reporters on Thursday, April 22, at 5:30 p.m. The event will be held in Schar Hall, room 212, with a virtual option also available.
The Elon chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists will host four speakers for a panel discussion on mental health for journalists on Thursday, April 22, at 5:30 p.m. The event will be held in Schar Hall, room 212, as well as virtually – see link on PhoenixCONNECT. The panel will discuss ways to handle the unique stressor of being a student journalist, journalistic trauma and mental health while in the field, as well as ways to stay healthy outside of reporting.
The panel includes Leslie Rangel, founder of The News Yogi, multimedia journalist and certified yoga instructor; Brian Rea, multimedia journalist and anchor for Elon News Network; Julie Lellis, professor of strategic communications at Elon University and registered yoga teacher; and Tammy McCoy, former journalist and current clinical forensic psychologist.
Kyra O’Connor ’23, who serves as secretary-treasurer of SPJ, said she was inspired to create the panel after attending a related workshop at a virtual SPJ conference. The session focused on the mental health challenges of being a journalist, and how to take care of one’s mental health to be a better journalist.
“The session talked about journalistic trauma like the trauma incurred by first responders,” O’Connor said. “I had never heard someone explain it that way, but it’s true. Journalists are first responders, and we need to talk about the challenges that come with taking on that role.”
For more information about the panel, visit the PhoenixConnect event page.