The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has called for heightened efforts to address mental health issues among journalists.

 MCK CEO Mr David Omwoyo says stigmatisation around mental health should be collectively addressed as it affects the whole society.

“As a Council we are keen on engaging partners to support matters mental health for media workers; to sensitise them on this issue while at the same time enabling them to remain sensitive in their reporting of mental health”, said Mr David Omwoyo at a training organised by the Media Council of Kenya and Basic Needs Basic Rights Kenya in Nairobi.

“Mental health issues are not easily recognisable and journalists need to reflect and investigate the dynamics around mental health cases as they report on this sensitive area”, said Mr Omwoyo.

He advised the media to interrogate the myriad factors that have accelerated mental health problems including the COVID-19 pandemic and accompanying effects such as job losses, deaths and family disintegration among others.

“Accepting that this problem exists is good for the media, being reporters on these issues. Trainings such as these enable journalists to professionally cover mental health”, said the MCK CEO.

Basic Needs Basic Rights Kenya Executive Director Rosemary Gathara said her organisation will work closely with the media to break down mental health terms to make reporting clear, objective and sensitive.

The Media Council of Kenya has signed a partnership agreement with Basic Needs Basic Rights Kenya to support training and empowerment of journalists on mental health.

It will involve joint training sessions for Kenyan journalists in Kenyan national/local/community media outlets.