Vicarious trauma in journalism and the media

This podcast tackles sensitive and distressing subject matter, including discussion about extremist groups, suicide bombings, chemical attacks and trauma.

You don't have to directly visit a traumatic scene to be affected by it. Vicarious trauma affects those viewing or hearing disturbing material or hearing second-hand the testimonies of those directly affected by a traumatic incident.

In this podcast the BBC's Chief Medical Officer Dr Clare Fernandes speaks to journalist Abdirahim Saeed, who works for the BBC Monitoring Team which monitors and verifies social media to pull into the BBC's reporting.

You'll learn: • what vicarious trauma is • where it can affect colleagues in the BBC, including the types of roles and subject matter • how to safeguard your health, including limiting exposure to trauma and coping mechanisms • how to support and protect your colleagues • where to turn to for help

Abdirahim talks about what he's seen when covering extremist incidents, including ISIS and Al Qaida attacks and the war in Syria, how it's affected him and how he limits the effects of vicarious trauma on his mental health.

This episode is part of a series focussing on wellbeing and mental health. Further episodes can be found by searching for the BBC Academy podcast on BBC Sounds.

A transcript of this podcast is available on the episode's programme page.

Although aimed primarily at BBC staff, the advice is useful for all those working in journalism, current affairs or other parts of the media industry who may come into contact with victims of trauma or view upsetting material.

Help and support If you've been affected by what you've heard in this podcast, please search for support on the BBC Action Line website. You may also wish to contact NHS services, such as your GP.

BBC Staff can talk to their team leader, contact a peer supporter or call the Employee Assistance Programme - details are on Gateway.

Useful resources can be found on the BBC Headroom website and, for BBC staff, by searching 'wellbeing' on Gateway.

Credits The podcast was presented by Dr Clare Fernandes and produced by Kasel Kundola.

Production support was from Helena Lyons.

Exec producers for the BBC Academy were Ben Toone, Zoey Glasgow and Kirstie Andrews.