This research examines the mental health experiences of Kenya’s media professionals journalists and digital content creators — to understand their challenges, identify barriers to support, and develop evidence-based, culturally appropriate intervention solutions.
Specifically, the research sought to respond to the question: What are the mental health and wellbeing challenges experienced by digital media-makers and journalists in Kenya, and what specific interventions are needed to support their psychological wellbeing and professional sustainability?
The study employed a participatory qualitative research design using mixed qualitative methods to explore the mental health experiences of digital media professionals and journalists in Kenya. It reveals that Kenya’s media professionals face a systemic mental health crisis rooted in financial precarity, healthcare barriers, workplace pressures, and cultural stigma. Prioritizing participant voice and agency, the research combined 21 in-depth interviews with media practitioners, insights from over 40 workshop stakeholders, and extensive desk research to capture diverse lived experiences.
However, solutions exist. Peer support already works. Organisations can adopt policies. Industries can set standards. Policy can reform systems. This requires collaboration among media organisations, professional associations, health providers, policymakers, and donors. The investment is modest; the returns are substantial.
Read the executive summary below and download the full report here.