ICRC Team together with Journalists posing for group photo after the Workshop on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) in Juba, on 7th of October, 2026. Photo Credit : Emmanuel Kayanga

By Emmanuel Kayanga | Juba | 07th – October – 2026

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has organized a workshop for journalists from different media houses in Juba to raise awareness on mental health and promote responsible reporting on mental health issues.

The workshop is being held ahead of World Mental Health Day, which will be marked globally on Saturday, 10th October.

ICRC Communication Coordinator, Germain Mwehu, said the workshop is designed as an exchange of experiences, between the organization and journalists ahead of the annual Mental Health Day.

“You as journalists, for sure, you know a lot when it comes to this topic, mental health. So we are here also to learn from you,” Mwehu said.

He added that the engagement builds on previous workshops ICRC has held with journalists on social violence and persons with disabilities, noting that mental health remains a very important topic that requires collaboration with the media.

On her part, ICRC Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Delegate in South Sudan, Joana Thiesen, explained that supporting people affected by conflict is part of the ICRC mandate.

“When people are affected, sometimes they need support and they need to know where they can find this support. About 1 out of 5 people each may have mental health conditions like depression, anxiety or go through traumatic events and then they may develop post-traumatic stress disorder. And that’s why they need support,” said Joana.

Journalists at the workshop shared experiences and emphasized on importance of prioritizing mental heal                      

The workshop brought together journalists from various media houses in Juba to discuss the role of the media in raising awareness, reducing stigma, and promoting responsible reporting on mental health.

World Mental Health Day is celebrated globally every year on 10th October to raise awareness of mental health issues and mobilize efforts in support of mental health.