Sulaymaniyah: The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has initiated a groundbreaking training course in Iraq, tailored to provide psychological support to journalists. This initiative is part of an international project titled “Protecting Journalists, Protecting Democracy… Responding to Emergencies for Journalists,” which is funded by the United States government.
According to National Iraqi News Agency, Dhiaa Thabet, Program Officer in the Communication and Information Sector at UNESCO Iraq, highlighted the unique nature of this program. It aims to support media professionals by not only enhancing their skills in information verification and editorial processes but also by emphasizing the importance of mental health and professional social well-being. Thabet stressed that these aspects are crucial for maintaining a safe, stable, and sustainable working environment essential for free and independent media.
He elaborated that over thirty journalists from various media outlets in Sulaymaniyah Governorate participated in this training. The course spanned three days and included practical and theoretical sessions on psychosocial support, self-regulation techniques, and self-assessment of mental health. It also focused on building skills to understand the psychological needs of journalists, employing modern global curricula rooted in positive psychology, trauma-informed care, and stress management, especially pertinent for those covering tragic events or operating in high-risk environments.
The program also introduced digital tools using artificial intelligence for analyzing emotions and diagnosing psychological indicators such as burnout, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Participants were able to test new applications specifically developed for journalists, allowing them to monitor their psychological changes and receive real-time feedback. This innovation is intended to help them create self-care plans and develop resilient responses to daily professional pressures.
Thabet emphasized the training’s transformative nature, describing it as a significant cultural and human experience rather than just a series of lectures. Through Peer Support Circles, journalists were able to share their experiences in a safe environment, free of judgment, which facilitated psychological release and a re-evaluation of the purpose behind their work. This setting also allowed them to exchange coping strategies and examine how stress impacts the quality of their content.
Thabet underscored the importance of equipping journalists with the necessary tools for psychological and social protection, asserting that protecting freedom of expression is incomplete without such measures. The program underscores the notion that journalists are not mere news machines but sensitive individuals who routinely interact with pain, trauma, and danger.
This training marks a significant step towards recognizing psychosocial care as a fundamental right for journalists in Iraqi media institutions, particularly for female journalists who face additional challenges in a predominantly male-dominated field. UNESCO has advocated for the implementation of institutional policies for mental health care, preventive mental health counseling services, and awareness of trauma resilience as essential components in establishing a free and sustainable press.
In an era where threats against journalists are on the rise, both physically and psychologically, this UNESCO initiative is a global call to action. It underscores the collective responsibility to support journalists by respecting their humanity and ensuring their psychological and social well-being.