By Brooklyn Lewis | Script Writer

Mental health is a growing concern for journalism students as they watch the political and global world changing, so student Kennedy Scales organized a mental health event for the students of Scripps Howard School of Journalism and Communications in the Scripps auditorium. 

Scales, a third-year journalism major from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, is on the executive board of WHOV-TV, and serves as Miss WHOV-TV for the 2022-2023 school year. She named her event “Mind Over Media,” and aimed to help young journalists, especially Black journalists, in the media industry. 

“Although it is important to stay on top of stories and inform the community, it is even more important to make sure you are taking care of yourself,” said Scales. “The stronger your mind is, the better you can perform.”

 As host/moderator, Scales had three guest speakers, including journalists and a psychologist,  talk about how to maintain mental health as a journalist.

“When Kennedy reached out to talk about mental health, it was super important to me because I have dealt with anxiety and depression along the way and it all started when I got my first job,” said Aesia Toliver, a morning anchor at WAVY TV.

Students asked panelists how their employers support their mental health. 

“Representation is huge, and there is a lack of representation in the leadership across our field,” said Eugene Daniel III Co-anchor at 13 News Now Day Break. 

“In the aftermath of the tragedy of George Floyd, the toll on Black journalists has been great”, Daniel said. However, his managers, composed of all white journalists, could not understand how much it was affecting him and other Black journalists. “Community became critical”, he said, “including being surrounded by a group of people who you can express true feelings to.”

“Being able to have a space that you can go to after covering difficult stories to process that information is important whether it’s a therapist or with a community,” said Dr. Kristie Norwood licensed psychologist, director of the counseling center, and a professor at Hampton University. 

Students said these answers were helpful. 

“Working within this field you have to put on this persona that you are the superhero, while deep down inside this could be affecting you in many ways,” said Cheyenne Brown, a second-year journalism major.

Afterward, students mingled with the guest speakers. “I think that the panelist and host did a phenomenal job,” said Logan-Alexandra Russell, a third-year journalism major. 

“This was a conversation that needed to be had and one that is not talked about enough in the media industry.”