A consultant psychiatrist, Dr. Adeoye Oyewole, has advised journalists to go for regular medical checks considering the stressful nature of the job they do every day.
He described stress as a state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or demanding circumstances.
Oyewole made this known in a paper he presented 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 the mental health of Nigerian Journalists intensifies daily in their quest to get timely relevant stories, emphasizing that the contents of most stories could be depressing.
Highlighting some of the dangers inherent in not managing stress including ulcers, and poor concentration, among others, he advised journalists to capitalize on the most important things in order to reduce unnecessary stress.
The expert charged 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 checks alongside emotional intelligence assignments, and general health questionnaires to mention but a few.
Oyewole said that “the whole person lives to fulfill the task of living, to love, to learn, and to leave a legacy.”
In his paper presented at the occasion, a veteran journalist, Dr. Liad Tella, advised the participants to count themselves lucky to venture into the noble profession of waking people’s consciousness for the betterment of society.
Tella, who spoke on behalf of Mr Mugsit Aderibigbe charged them to always have plans A and B as it is very compulsory for them to get news stories.
He said: ” It is 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 a story to report daily.
“Although journalists are not well paid in Nigeria, you have many opportunities to attain higher in life if you can explore them.”
Responding to the presentations, the Chief Press Secretary to the immediate past Governor of the state, Mr. Ismail Omipidan, Shina Abukakar, and Mrs. Toyin Adeoye enjoined journalists to take a rest despite their tight schedules. They urged them to find time to discuss issues with people who can assist them.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the Director General, of Osun State Broadcasting Corporation who also doubled as the Chairman of the event, Mr. Rasheed Folaranmi explained that journalism generally has a built-in stress on its own because it is a 24-hour 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 the training of students. He used the medium to advise the students of the institution to be ready to sacrifice their comfort by attending lectures and doing their assignments, 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.
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.
The Hope
