OPC and IWMF Offer Psychological Safety Training for Women and Nonbinary Journalists

Freelance writers, editors and visual producers are invited to an interactive, virtual session on fostering psychological safety and resilience in the face of trauma in the course of practicing journalism. The program is aimed at women, nonbinary journalists and allies.

The Overseas Press Club and the International Women’s Media Foundation are co-sponsoring the event. It is supported by the Committee to Protect Journalists, Rory Peck Trust, and ACOS, all organizations committed to providing programs and services to bolster the mental health and security of working journalists.

Ana Zellhuber, psychoanalyst and Emergency Psychology specialist based in Mexico City, will deliver the training. She will include a slide presentation, and she will offer a guided and interactive exercise, with ample time for Q&A and discussion.

In 2005, Zellhuber founded Vinland Solutions, to provide psychological support to women journalists, human rights defenders and women in politics who have been a target of persecution or violence due to their gender or profession. In her work, Zellhuber also collaborates with various international organizations to provide psychological support in both English and Spanish to patients suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, acute stress, depression, or who need support while they are being relocated for their safety. See this mental health guide she wrote for the IWMF.

The IWMF offers a wide range of emergency assistance for journalists including therapy funding.

The Journalist Trauma Support Network (JTSN) has a JTSN Directory listing trauma psychotherapists in the U.S. who have completed the JTSN training in working with journalist occupational stress and trauma.

Rory Peck Trust has a Therapy Fund which covers the cost of treatment for freelance journalists to access professional psychological support.

Two additional psychological safety training sessions will be offered in the coming months.

Registrants will receive a link to join the Zoom call before the program on March 2.