E30 Certified to Care: Becoming a Mental Health First Aider in Your Newsroom

21/05/2025 13 min
E30 Certified to Care: Becoming a Mental Health First Aider in Your Newsroom

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Episode Synopsis



Certified to Care
Becoming a Mental Health First Aider in Your NewsroomPart 3 of 3 – Mental Health First Aid SeriesHosted by Dr. Kortni Alston Lemon
In the final episode of this special three-part series, Dr. Kortni shares how Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training can transform newsrooms from the inside out. Drawing from her experience as a news director, happiness scholar, and certified MHFA Instructor, she explains how this evidence-based training equips journalists and news leaders to better recognize, respond to, and support mental health challenges within their teams.
She also introduces her nonprofit, KALM – The Kortni Alston Lemon Media Institute for Workplace Wellbeing, and how it is certifying journalists across all platforms — from TV and radio to newspapers and digital — through the National Council for Mental Wellbeing.
💡 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:


Why MHFA is a vital tool for journalists, editors, and newsroom leaders


What the training covers — from recognizing trauma to responding in crisis


How to lead with empathy using evidence-based mental health tools


Why journalist well-being is a pillar of press freedom and democracy


🧾 MHFA Training Covers:


Signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges


How to interact with someone in a mental health crisis


How to connect someone to professional help


Expanded content on trauma, substance use, and self-care


Special Pilot Rate:
$100 (normally $170)Join the growing waitlist for upcoming sessions led by Dr. Kortni.
🔗 Learn More & Sign Up:
👉 www.kalminstitute.org
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Mental Health First Aid in Newsrooms01:34 The Importance of Supporting Journalists' Wellbeing03:39 The Birth of CALM: A Commitment to Journalists06:09 Training for News Professionals: Mental Health First Aid10:20 Creating Safe Spaces in Newsrooms12:54 The Role of Mental Health First Aid in Journalism14:22 The Connection Between Wellbeing and Journalism16:17 Empowering Journalists Through Mental Health Support

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