The majority of journalists, if not all, in Yemen face significant psychological challenges that affect their daily lives and their ability to work and innovate. This is primarily due to the nature of their work being closely linked to the country's circumstances and societal issues. Depression, which leads to a loss of enthusiasm and productivity, ranks among the most prominent and critical challenges they face.
This is exemplified by the case of Yemeni journalist Mujahid Hamoud (32 years old), who experienced a severe psychological condition due to his work, which forced him to monitor and cover all the damages and tragedies caused by the ruthless conflict between the Houthi group and the internationally recognized government forces for the past nine years. This caused him to fall into a spiral of depression, ultimately leading to a decrease in his productivity.
In this regard, Mujahid describes his state when writing a journalistic piece, stating, "I feel bored, resentful, and incapable of working. Previously, an article or report would take me a day or two to complete, but now I find myself unable to finish it except after two weeks or a month."
He further adds, "I was experiencing a challenging psychological state, and I didn't want anyone around me to notice. I often forced a smile and pretended to enjoy myself when meeting colleagues and friends."
Actually, this wasn't the first time journalist Mujahid had experienced depression, but this time was different, as he describes it. His psychological state deteriorated, leading him to isolate himself from society and those around him. He tells "Khuyut": "Since the beginning of last year, 2023, I no longer enjoy social gatherings or spending time with others, even during qat sessions."
With Mujahid repeatedly attempting to express his feelings and thoughts through writing on social media, only to delete them shortly afterward every time, believing that no one would pay attention and unwilling for his friends to perceive his decline and vulnerability, he ultimately decided to confront his challenges and seek help by visiting a specialized psychological clinic for journalists in the city of Taiz.
The World Health Organization confirms that mental health disorders in Yemen have increased during the past years of war and conflict. One out of every four individuals in Yemen suffers from mental health issues due to the armed conflict. Moreover, more than 5.5 million Yemeni people experience psychological and mental disorders, according to a report published by the World Health Organization in December 2022.
“Accessing healthcare for individuals suffering from mental health disorders poses a major challenge due to the severe shortage of specialized doctors and other related personnel, such as mental health nurses, social workers, and psychologists.”
As of the year 2020, the number of psychiatrists in Yemen was reported to be 58. However, this figure rose to 120 psychiatrists after 2020, according to the same organization. This means there is one psychiatrist available for every half a million people in the country.
In this context, journalist Mubarak Al-Yousefi tells "Khuyut" that the unjust war in the country is one of the main reasons for the psychological effects on the citizens in general and journalists in particular. He adds that there are other factors besides the war, such as the reality and the surrounding environment in which the journalists live, the way people interact with journalists, and the violations that journalists in Yemen are subjected to by the parties to the conflict.
According to Mubarak, these factors make journalists feel loneliness, introversion, and reluctance to disclose their identity and profession in their residential area. This constitutes a restriction on the freedom of opinion and expression guaranteed by local and international laws, creating psychological and health repercussions for the journalists. In turn, these psychological disorders experienced by journalists have various impacts on their professional lives, leading to suppression. Sometimes, journalists may reach a point where they lose the ability to write and produce content, a condition that can persist for more than a month.
A Risky Environment
The Yemeni journalist is entering his tenth year of covering dozens of tragic humanitarian stories and the violations suffered by civilians as a result of the war and its aftermath, including abduction, enforced disappearance, landmines, starvation, displacement, siege of cities, and deterioration of living and service conditions. Dealing with these stories often causes psychological harm to the journalist.
Regarding this matter, journalist and trainer in gender issues and data journalism, Bassam Ghobar, points out to "Khuyut" that journalists are subjected to psychological effects, whether during peacetime or conflict. This is due to the nature of their work, which entails psychological pressure and intellectual effort. As a matter of fact, journalism requires fieldwork, investigation, accuracy, and reaching the truth, all of which contribute to mental exertion.
Ghobar further adds, stating: "However, such cases become more frequent during wartime. We all know that journalists work in a risky environment due to the nature of their work, in addition to the environment of wars and conflicts, which reflect on their performance and the quality of their journalistic work."
Moreover, there are other repercussions that have psychological effects on other journalists. For instance, when a colleague or a specific journalist is exposed to risks or violations, it affects others. Some of them may cease practicing the profession or may experience certain fears and doubts that affect their health.
In addition, covering some tragic events may indirectly impact the journalist's mental health in ways they may not realize until later, according to Bassam Ghobar. He emphasizes that the risks are numerous and the consequences are many. Dealing with them must be done with prudence and balance. It is essential for journalists to undergo psychological support sessions to enable them to cope with any consequences or risks they may face, thereby affecting the journalism profession, both at the individual and professional levels.
In turn, Khaleel Kamil, the Director of the Emergency Support Program at the Yemeni Media Freedom Observatory, stated in an interview with "Khuyut" that the psychological support service for journalists is part of the activities and support provided by the Media Freedom Observatory through the Yemeni Journalists and Media Workers Support Unit. This support comes in three forms: legal support, psychological support, and financial support.
Khaleel further adds, "When we noticed many journalists suffering from psychological disorders due to the ongoing war in the country, we decided to provide a service to help them overcome the repercussions of these psychological disorders that negatively affect their lives, whether in livelihoods or in the journalistic work environment."
He continues, "We sat with journalists who shared their struggles following journalistic coverage and humanitarian stories in conflict areas, especially in the governorates of Taiz, Marib, and Sana'a. Their mental state has changed, and they express a desire to withdraw from working in the field of journalism due to the stories and situations they cover."
In late September 2022, the Yemeni Media Freedom Observatory launched a service providing psychological support and counseling for journalists and media professionals across the Yemeni governorates, free of charge. According to those responsible for it, this service aims to provide psychological support to journalists who have experienced mental disorders and suffer from depression and anxiety due to their work in covering the stories and situations that the country has been experiencing during the nine years of war.
War's Impact
According to the World Health Organization, accessing healthcare for individuals suffering from mental health disorders poses a major challenge due to the severe shortage of specialized doctors and other related personnel, such as mental health nurses, social workers, and psychologists.
In this respect, Dr. Angela Al-Maamari, Assistant Professor of Mental Health at Taiz University in Yemen, emphasizes the undeniable impact of war on citizens in general, and particularly on frontline workers such as journalists and media professionals, who are at the forefront of monitoring situations and events, often encountering shocking scenes.
Dr. Al-Maamari, a researcher specializing in mental health during and after conflicts, adds to "Khuyut" that these journalists endure the hardships of painful humanitarian stories and shocking events, which affect them in the short and long term, leading to the emergence of symptoms of psychological trauma and depression.
She points out that as a result of these experiences, journalists manifest symptoms of psychological trauma and various disorders, leading to their withdrawal from social life due to the lack of essential, crucial, and urgently needed psychological services and care for their mental well-being.
Al-Ma'amari continued, stating: "They can be treated by providing psychological support services, offering diverse services, and covering the psychological and social needs, tailored to the specific condition and disorder."
