Dealing with disaster: UoP establishes trauma centre for journalists

Professors say it is essential to address psychological impact of fieldwork

PESHAWAR: The departments of psychology, journalism and mass communication at University of Peshawar (UoP) have established a competence and trauma centre for journalists.

Addressing a press conference at the Peshawar Press Club on Thursday, Journalism and Mass Communication Department Chairman Professor Dr Altafullah Khan and Chairperson of the Psychology Department Dr Erum Irshad said they started the trauma centre in collaboration with the Deutsche Welle (DW) Akademie of Germany.



They said traumatic situations in the field affect the routine life of journalists.

The speakers agreed that media persons in K-P have witnessed harrowing incidents. As a result, DW had decided to start this centre – the first of its kind in Pakistan.

Irshad said journalism is a sensitive profession and bomb blasts, traffic accidents and other such occurrences affect the psychological condition of people affiliated with this profession.

“Shock, denial, disbelief, anger, irritability, mood swings, guilt, shame and hopelessness are among the symptoms of obsessive compulsive disorders (OCD) which can affect people in the media and lead to suicidal tendencies,” Irshad said. “Psychiatrists charge Rs5,000  in fee but journalists can get counselling free of cost.”

Peshawar Press Club President Bukhar Shah Bacha and Khyber Union of Journalists President Nisar Muhammad Khan were also present on the occasion.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 28^th, 2015.