With this toolkit, we hope you feel more prepared to brave the workforce as an emerging journalist. Whether you are covering traumatic events, experiencing difficulties in your reporting or facing anxiety about your role in the newsroom, we hope you can refer back to this guide to help navigate these struggles.

This cautionary tale should not deter you from pursuing the important work journalists do -- we want you to feel more confident in your abilities and reporting by using the tools we provided. We are here to encourage you on your journey as a young reporter and offer this as a valuable resource that many professional journalists did not have access to early in their careers.

"I am a living example that you can survive trauma, heal, and become a better version of yourself. If something extremely painful happens, such as a war, it does not mean you will be unable to survive it. Perhaps this very event will be what you push away from to sail further through life faster, more confidently."

Iryna Domnenko, visiting fellow from Ukraine, at the Marie Colvin Center for International Reporting

When facing newsroom challenges, remind yourself why you are doing this work. Reconnect with your purpose as a journalist -- informing your audiences, recording history, helping others share their stories and giving voices to those who need to be heard.

"You should find hope in the people around you. You can't be a pessimist as a journalist -- you can't afford to be."

Christine Kelley, class of '23 at Stony Brook University, associate producer, 13WHAM ABC Rochester

Do not lose sight of how meaningful and life-changing your stories can be. Your work as a journalist is essential to this world. This was the inspiring message delivered by Emma Tucker, editor-in-chief of the Wall Street Journal, the keynote speaker at our symposium in New York on "Coping with Crisis" on March 25, 2024, marking the culmination of our project.

"I am really proud to be a journalist and to lead the incredible team at the Wall Street Journal. My most profound wish for all of you and your careers is that you end up with that same pride and joy in your work. I don't doubt that you will, because what we do matters."

Emma Tucker, editor-in-chief of the Wall Street Journal and 2024 Marie Colvin Distinguished Lecturer

You can also watch the video of our 2024 symposium on "Coping with Crisis" at the SUNY Global Center in Manhattan, featuring a panel of prominent journalists and mental health experts as well as the Marie Colvin Distinguished Lecture, for a comprehensive discussion on this topic with professionals in the industry.