Ziauddin University, KEC jointly organize workshop on mental health, well-being of media professionals

By Dr Beenish Khalid 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Ziauddin University and the Karachi Editors Club (KEC) jointly organized a workshop on the mental health and well-being of media professionals, particularly journalists who regularly face stress, trauma, and challenging field conditions, titled “Protecting the Mind Behind the News: Building Psychological Resilience in Journalism” on July 7. 

The workshop was conducted by Prof Dr Jamshed Ahmed, Psychologist at Ziauddin University. It turned out be an enlightening session as the resource person shared practical techniques for stress management, building emotional resilience, and maintaining psychological well-being in high-pressure environments. 

The workshop aimed to raise awareness about the psychological challenges faced by reporters and journalists, promote healthy coping strategies, and encourage resilience while covering demanding assignments.

“Our journalists dedicate themselves to informing society, often at great personal cost. We believe that protecting their mental well-being is just as important as strengthening their professional skills. Through such initiatives, we hope to promote awareness and foster a culture that values psychological health within the media fraternity,” Amir Shahzad, Head of Public Relations & Communications, Ziauddin University, remarked while highlighting the importance of the initiative of their institution. 

Mubashir Mir, President, KEC, was appreciative of the joint project, observing that the journalists frequently worked under immense pressure and that discussions on mental health were indeed essential for building a healthier and more resilient media community. 

Bringing to light the importance of continued support for media professionals, Manzar Naqvi, General Secretary of the KEC emphasized the need for regular awareness session that equipped journalists with practical tools to manage workplace stress and emotional challenges. 

Syed Khalid Mahmood and Iqbal Jamil were prominent among the senior journalists on the occasion and they praised the collaboration of the KEC and Ziauddin University in producing such a wonderful programme, aimed at providing the much-needed guidance to the media professionals about their health.

The session concluded with an engaging question-and-answer session, allowing the participants an opportunity to share their experiences and interact with the expert. Certificates were also distributed among the participants by Prof Dr Jamshed Ahmed and Amir Shahzad on behalf of the hosts.