Bangladeshi Journalists in International Media (BJIM), Counter Foto – A Center for Visual Arts, Internews Bangladesh, and Moner Bondhu have jointly organised an event titled ‘Breathing Out Burden’ to support journalists who reported on the intense, weeks-long student movement that led to the end of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s 15-year regime.
The journalists who were on the frontlines during this period have experienced significant mental health challenges, including severe trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), often without fully understanding the extent of their psychological distress.
‘Breathing Out Burden’ aimed to help these journalists step out of their discomfort zones and alleviate some of the mental pressures they have been carrying.
The event, held on Saturday at Counter Foto’s Mirpur campus, featured two sessions organised by the photography school and led by mental health specialists from Moner Bondhu, a respected provider of mental health and well-being counseling services.
The sessions were coordinated by BJIM, a platform dedicated to the welfare of press workers, and funded by Internews Bangladesh.
The daylong event was attended by 62 journalists who had covered the student movement.
“Most of us (journalists) do not understand the impact of mental health counselling or the problems that may occur if we rear PTSD for too long. This session was essential to help them to take off the steam. We will try to further arrange follow up sessions for the colleagues,” Sam Jahan, Convener of BJIM said.
“It is an integral part of our job that we will encounter violence, atrocities, and inhumane activities done by humans towards the others. And it is our job to document and record while it happens. Not always that we recognise the kind of trauma it leaves us with. Which might have a very long-term consequences. It is our responsibility to acknowledge our reality and take care of our own mental health,” Saiful Haq Omi, Principal of Counter Foto said.
“We wanted to be a part of this great initiative as we felt it was our moral obligation. We felt appalled by reading and viewing about the atrocities. We can barely imagine how difficult it was for those who experienced it first hand on the field. I hope the counselling would lighten the attendees’ mental burdens,” Shameem Ara Sheuli, Country Representative of Internews Bangladesh, said.
"Everyone needs more mental health support at this moment especially the journalists. Moner Bondhu is always there for you as a safe place," Tawhida Shiropa, Founder and CEO, Moner Bondhu, said.
