The largest study of media professionals ever conducted in Ukraine
2402 Foundation (Daily Humanity) presents a comprehensive report on the mental health and resilience of journalists, conducted from November 2024 to March 2025. This study marks the first systematic step toward a deeper understanding of how the realities of war affect journalists’ psychological well-being, the challenges they face daily, and the resources they use to maintain both professional and personal resilience.
Purpose of the Study
Not just to measure the level of stress or burnout, but to explore more deeply the inner experience of journalists, focusing on:
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The psychological challenges they face
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The resources and habits that help maintain resilience
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The impact of professional workload during the war on mental health
Key Findings
85% of journalists reported experiencing professional burnout
This points to a systemic issue requiring changes not only at the individual level but also in newsroom culture and organizational support systems.
Main causes of burnout include:
Chronic overwork
Emotionally heavy content
Loss of meaning in their work
Lack of support in the newsroom
Toxic work environments
Only 10% of journalists practice self-care daily
While 80% acknowledge the importance of self-care, 48% engage in it only occasionally.
Just 30% take care of their mental health several times a week — highlighting the need for a more systemic approach to psychological support in the media sector.
Recommendations & Solutions
“The results point to an urgent need for a more comprehensive system of support and self-care that can help reduce burnout and improve journalists’ mental health”
Research Team
Olha Khan — Mental health coordinator, M.A. in Social Psychology, MHPSS expert
Lauren Walsh — Professor at New York University and Director of Gallatin’s Photojournalism Intensive
Kateryna Sergatskova — Executive Director of Daily Humanity
Larisa Kalik — Project Manager