Mass Casualties: Microdosing Your Mental Health Prompts
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Prompts for journalists and/or newsrooms that have already covered a school shooting (or similar) and need language to approach peers, editors, other management
management or editors
For conversations with management or editors
- Now that the assignment is behind us, I’ve been reflecting on the impact of covering a school shooting over an extended period. I wanted to talk briefly about what support looks like after work like this.
- I’m thinking about how to make this kind of coverage sustainable long-term, especially after reporting on violence involving children. Can we talk about what support might exist—or could exist—after assignments like this?
- I’ve noticed more conversations in journalism about post-assignment care after mass casualty coverage. I wanted to raise that here and ask how this outlet thinks about support once the reporting ends.
peers
For conversations with peers
- Hey—I’ve been thinking about you since we wrapped that assignment. Covering something like that can linger longer than we expect. No need to respond in any particular way, but I wanted to check in and see how you’re doing.
- I know reporting on school shootings can be especially heavy, especially once things go quiet afterward. If you want to talk—or just sit with someone who gets it—I’m here. And if you’d rather not, that’s completely okay too.
journalists
For conversations initiated by newsroom leadership to journalists on the ground
- Now that the coverage has wrapped, we want to acknowledge the emotional weight of reporting on a school shooting. This is not a performance check-in. We’re reaching out to ask how you’re doing and to remind you that support is available if you want it—now or later.
- Reporting on violence involving children can have effects that show up after deadlines pass. We’re checking in to see what support might be helpful at this stage, and to make space for conversations about sustainability as we continue this work.
