Convening conversations
around media mental health and wellbeing
- Leading by Example: How investing in mental health benefits journalists and journalismThis was my address to the Society of Editors’ ‘Future of News’ conference on March 15, 2023. Thank you, Dawn for inviting me to speak today. It is encouraging that mental health is on the agenda today – proof it is now seen as pivotal in securing the future of news. Over the next 15Continue reading “Leading by Example: How investing in mental health benefits journalists and journalism”
- The importance of anniversariesIt’s a year today since my Dad was diagnosed with stage four (and incurable) cancer, with associated paraneoplastic phenomena. I’ve kept this off social media until now, only alluding to the illness of a close family member. But it has taken its toll this year.At the time Dad was diagnosed, I didn’t realise it wasContinue reading “The importance of anniversaries”
- This is not another cheesy #valentinesday post.I’m a wordsmith and writer and I love that #mentalhealth begins with two letters ‘me’. So often when we are not well, we lose sight of loving ourselves. On my darkest days, I hated myself. I self-sabotaged, ate too little, drank too much, over-exercised, didn’t look after my sleep, had unhealthy relationships with people, would regularly agreeContinue reading “This is not another cheesy #valentinesday post.”
- My Year in Review2021 has definitely been a year of significant global and personal challenges. I know it has been a difficult period for many people, and I sincerely hope 2022 offers more light for all who have experienced darkness. Reflecting on what the past 12 months have meant personally has helped me see how far I’ve comeContinue reading “My Year in Review”
- It took me a long time to call my assault by the name it merits – rapeNovember 25, 2021 – It’s been 16 years since I was raped by a man I trusted, a man I met through my journalism, who I later befriended socially. I have never mentioned his name publicly. But I have replayed the moments that led to the assault. I have found myself asking what I should have done differently,Continue reading “It took me a long time to call my assault by the name it merits – rape”
- Ahead of #Worldmentalhealth day, I hope my story might help someoneA little over three years ago, I hit the bottom. I seriously wondered what worth my life had, felt lost and alone, and was struggling with my mental health. I felt unable to speak about how much I was suffering because I thought it would be a sign of weakness and because I still believedContinue reading “Ahead of #Worldmentalhealth day, I hope my story might help someone”
- The Story Behind the Stories: The Thin Line Between Everything and NothingThere are moments when everything changes: liminal spaces, seconds where the stars align and times when life changes completely. As a journalist, I am privileged to have had a ring-side seat at occasions that have made history, and met individuals whose lives have been changed in an instant. The Thin Line Between Everything andContinue reading “The Story Behind the Stories: The Thin Line Between Everything and Nothing”
- The right to say ‘I am a writer’There’s a field along the edge of the road where I ran this morning, a narrow track hemmed with tall grass that leads to an opening across paddocks and hills into the dappled distance. I stopped at the end of my run and stood there for a few minutes, watching the sun light illuminate theContinue reading “The right to say ‘I am a writer’”
- Memoir successI’m delighted that my memoir has been shortlisted in this year’s Mslexia awards, reaching the final 12 in this prestigious competition for women writers. My story explores how I attempt to piece my life back together after a diagnosis of complex post-traumatic stress disorder by unravelling the episodes that threatened to unravel me. In teasingContinue reading “Memoir success”
- Walking the Walk and Talking the TalkThis week I step down as director of the Ethical Journalism Network (EJN). The past two years have brought immense challenges, but our small team has achieved significant success and global impact. It’s been a time when accurate, responsible journalism with humanity has shown its value and the fact it really can make the difference betweenContinue reading “Walking the Walk and Talking the Talk”
Ahead of World Mental Health Day (October 10), I recorded a podcast with the International Center for Journalists, discussing mental health and the media and offered my thoughts on how newsrooms can tackle taboos. Have a listen here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/692094/5713099-mental-health-and-journalism-part-5-a-conversation-with-hannah-storm
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