In the fast-paced world of journalism, your team's well-being is your greatest asset. 

Elevate Your Newsroom with Customized Mental Health First Aid Training. 

Join KALM's Mission: 1,000 Certified Mental Health First Aiders

The KALM Institute for Workplace Wellbeing is leading a new movement—training journalists, broadcasters, and media leaders to become certified in Mental Health First Aid.

Be part of the next class of professionals equipped to see, support, and respond with care.

Reserve your spot now to receive early access when our next training date opens. Together, we’re creating a culture of wellbeing across newsrooms everywhere.

GET NOTIFIED ABOUT THE NEXT SESSION
TRANSFORM YOUR NEWSROOM

Why Mental Health First Aid Training?

Equip Your Leaders with Essential Skills

News leaders often find themselves on the front lines of their teams' mental health challenges. Our training provides them with the tools to:

LEAD NEWS WELL

Assess the Risk

Recognize the signs of mental health issues and learn how to approach your news team with care.

LEAD NEWS WELL

Listen with Compassion

 Listen non-judgmentally with empathy to colleagues in distress.

LEAD NEWS WELL

Give Reassurance

Offer initial help and support to colleagues in distress.

LEAD NEWS WELL

Encourage Appropriate Professional Help

Guide your news team toward professional help.

LEAD NEWS WELL

Encourage Self-Help

Implement self-care and well-being strategies for yourself to support your team.

NICE TO MEET YOU

Meet Dr. Kortni Alston Lemon, the Founder of KALM.

I’m Dr. Kortni Alston Lemon, a former news director and television reporter who has turned nearly 20 years in journalism into a calling—one centered on advancing workplace well-being in newsrooms. Now a happiness scholar and certified Mental Health First Aid instructor, I specialize in helping news professionals build healthier, more resilient organizational cultures.

I founded the Kortni Alston Lemon Media Institute for Workplace Wellbeing—also known as KALM—to deliver evidence-based training and support for journalists, producers, and newsroom leaders. KALM is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to equipping the media industry with tools to foster mental wellness, resilience, and compassionate leadership.

At KALM, we believe that workplace well-being and compassionate leadership are the competitive advantage in today’s demanding media environment.

As we grow our programs and digital presence, this page offers you an early opportunity to engage with one of our signature offerings: Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) certification tailored specifically for the news industry.

"Dr. Kortni's training is spot-on for journalists... Dr. Kortni's genuine warmth and caring nature make it easy to open up and trust her. Her training has helped me to become a more authentic leader."

- Kim Holt, WSOC-TV

"Dr. Kortni's training is so vital. It comes down to intentionality. We as leaders must create a space to foster self-care, empathy, compassion and belonging in our newsrooms."

- Marie Torres, Spectrum News 1 North Carolina

"Dr. Kortni shows up in a way that garners immediate trust with participants. Having experience as a journalist certainly helps with this, as news leaders know that she understands their challenges."

- Samantha Ragland & Emily Ristow, American Press Institute
Why Choose Our Training?

Newsroom Transformation: Get Certified in Mental Health First Aid with an Industry Expert

Lead your news team towards a healthier future with a Mental Health First Aid certification tailored specifically for the media industry by Dr. Kortni Alston Lemon, a certified instructor in Mental Health First Aid from the National Council for Mental Wellbeing. Dr. Kortni draws on her extensive background as a television reporter, news director, and now a happiness scholar. She delivers a program that addresses the unique pressures news professionals face.

This course will empower news professionals to:

Strive to increase mental health awareness so your news team has the tools and the confidence to support one another.

Cultivate an understanding that culture is a key influence on mental health. 

Understand that early intervention is key to positive outcomes.

Stay Informed:
Our Mental Health First Aid training for media professionals is now live!
Join the waitlist to be notified about our next training session and secure your spot early for this transformative certification led by Dr. Kortni.

GET NOTIFIED ABOUT THE NEXT SESSION