Psychiatrist Tasks Journalists On Stress Management

By Sunday Okunade, Osogbo

Stress has been described as a state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or demanding circumstances.

A Consultant Psychiatrist, Dr. Adeoye Oyewole made this known during his paper presentation at a workshop organized by the final year Students of Fountain University, Osogbo, for journalists drawn from across all media sectors, held in the University.

He noted that the impact of stress on mental health of Nigerian Journalists intensifies daily in their quest to get timely relevant stories, emphasising that contents of most stories could be depressing.

He highlighted some of the dangers inherent in not managing stress which are, ulcer and poor concentration, among others.

Dr. Oyewole however advised Journalists to capitalize on the most important things in order to reduce unnecessary stress,charging them to always find time to rest in their own interest.

He urged them to do away with alcohol, advancing that it is dangerous to their health. While urging them to go for regular medical checkups alongside emotional intelligence assignment, general health questionnaire to mention but a few.

He concluded with a saying that,”the whole person live to fulfill the task of living, to love, to learn and to leave a legacy.”

In his paper presentation, a veteran journalist, Dr Liad Teller advised the participants to count themselves lucky to venture into the noble profession of waking people’s conciousness for the betterment of the society.

Dr. Teller who spoke on behalf of Mr Mugsit Aderibigbe charged them to always have plan A and B as it is very compulsory for them to get news stories.

” It a task that must be fulfilled and this is why you must know little about everything, as it is not possible for a reporter not to have story to report daily

” Although, Journalists are not well paid in Nigeria but you have many opportunities to attain higher in life if you can explore them”,the veteran Journalist stated

Responding to the presentations, the Chief Press Secretary to immediate past Osun Governor, Mr Ismail Omipidan, Shina Abukakar and Mrs Toyin Adeoye enjoined journalists to take a rest despite their tight schedule. They urged them to find time to discuss issues with people who can assist them.

Earlier in his opening remarks, the Director General, Osun State Broadcasting Corporation who also doubled as the Chairman of the event, Mr Rasheed Folaranmi explained that, journalism generally has built-in of stress on its own because it is 24 hours job as the production is yet to complete until it gets to the readers or listeners.

He appreciated the management of the Institution for the job well done through training of Students. He used the medium to advise the Students of the institution to be ready to sacrifice their comfort by attending lectures, do their assignment and others.

He charged them to prepare for the challenges associated with the future which they must be ready to face, stressing that there are opportunities in the Country for only those who are fully prepared to maximize the opportunities. He charged them to engage themselves in entrepreneurship programmes while looking for white collar jobs.

Mr Folaranmi equally enjoined students to come to OSBC for their practicals as the Corporation is ever ready and available to assist them in building their capacities.