There’s a toxic we talk about…and the toxic that goes unspoken but still traumatizes.
In the TV News business, there’s plenty to complain about. The work hours are often horrible, most are poorly paid, social media followers can be vicious, there are toxic bosses, etc etc.
But there’s another layer on top of all that impacting mental health. When you are part of a newscast…whether you’re on camera or behind-the-scenes, in the newsroom, weather studio or sports center…you’re hearing and seeing tragic stories every day.
And it’s not just once, the story is cover in the 5, 6, 9 and 10pm show and again in the morning and midday. If you have a 24-hour news channel, it’s on repeat all day long. If you assist with social media, you’re providing multiple updates and various platforms.
Plus, if you’ve never been in a newsroom or studio, there are TV screens everywhere.
After a traumatic event occurs, mental health professionals often recommend that people step away from the news to give themselves a break, but TV News folks do not have that option.
If you’re currently in TV News or were in the industry previously, consider checking out Leslie Rangel‘s free workshop, “Planning for Trauma” on May 16, 2024. In a LinkedIn post about the workshop, she notes, “At least 9 out of ten journalists in any given newsroom have experienced at least four traumatic situations, according to research from the Dart Center for Journalism & Trauma, with many of them experiencing repeated exposure.”
And if you’re currently in TV News and have realized that you need to get out, I’d love to assist you with that process. I have multiple offerings at different price points to meet your needs.
