A new report indicates that members of the news industry in Canada are experiencing "concerning" levels of stress and work-related trauma, and researchers are calling for better support to help journalists cope with coverage of COVID-19 and other crises.

The findings, based on 1,251 voluntary responses to an online survey conducted between November 1 and December 18, 2021, showed that media workers have suffered high rates of mental health issues over the past four years.

Sixty-nine percent of respondents reported experiencing anxiety, 46 percent said they were suffering from depression, and 15 percent said they had experienced post-traumatic stress.

The lead researchers on the project said the report highlights how the disruptions caused by the accelerated pandemic news cycle have worsened work pressures in a profession steeped in competition and tragedies.

Carleton University journalism professor Matthew Pearson said at a press conference in the Parliament building on Wednesday, "The results we found confirm our worst fears and doubts about the industry."

"The burden now falls on all of us, from the front lines to newsroom leaders, executives, and journalism educators — to understand the severity of this situation and address it meaningfully to reduce the harm suffered by Canadian media workers at work."

Co-author Dave Seglins, a journalist at CBC News and a mental health advocate, said the information age has increased pressure on journalists who face more demanding workloads and precarious job security, while also opening the door wide to misinformation and online harassment.

More than half of survey participants said they have experienced online harassment and threats, and 35 percent said they faced harassment in the field.

The report stated that the harms of harassment were particularly evident among women and transgender people. Black, Arab, South Asian, and Filipino journalists also reported higher rates of online harassment. Workers recognizable as media members, such as video journalists and photographers, were more likely to be targeted in the field.

The survey also indicated that exposure to trauma negatively affects media workers, with 80 percent of participants saying they suffered burnout from reporting on stories of death, injury, and suffering. Some participants also reported experiencing other emotional and psychological side effects, such as suicidal thoughts or "numbing" using alcohol or other substances.

More than half of participants stated that they sought medical help to cope with work stress and mental health, while 85 percent of those surveyed said they had received no training on mental health and trauma in the workplace.

Seglins added that the “suck it up” culture in many newsrooms prevents journalists from seeking help to manage their suffering due to concerns about the impact of speaking out publicly on their careers, and many employers lack the expertise, resources, and benefits needed to support journalists well.

He urged news organizations to collaborate with journalists to identify and address these gaps to ensure the quality of the fourth estate’s function.

Seglins said, "All of this has a profound impact on the health of the people who work in the news industry and who are guardians of our democracy."

Canadian Journalism provided images for the report, and the survey was distributed to Canadian Journalism staff.

Editing: Dima Abu Khair