Kendis Gibson reveals toxic workplace led to suicide attempt

In 2018, Kendis Gibson, a former anchor at ABC News, publicly shared his struggles with mental health, attributing a significant portion of his issues to the toxic work environment he faced at the network. Gibson began working at ABC News in 2014, which he initially considered his dream job. However, he soon encountered challenges related to covert racism and a demanding work culture that ignored his mental health needs. Over time, these pressures exacerbated his existing mental health issues, ultimately leading to a suicide attempt in 2018. During this period, Gibson went through an alarming phase where he experienced insomnia and anxiety, compounded by an overwhelming workload and lack of support from his superiors. During his time as an anchor, Gibson reported that he had 19 different co-anchors, some of whom were also dealing with their own mental health struggles. The demanding nature of the job and the constant pressure to perform took a heavy toll on him. Despite expressing his need for adjustments to his assignments, he felt that management failed to address his concerns, leading him to rely on medication to cope. It was in this heightened state of distress that he attempted to take his own life. Thankfully, he had a friend who intervened in time, which helped him to recover from this traumatic experience. Following his suicide attempt, Gibson returned to the anchor desk just hours later, reflecting on the severe emotional damage he sustained during his tenure at ABC. He characterized the treatment he endured as degrading, especially after a disparaging remark from a former boss deeply affected his self-esteem. This led him to a pivotal decision to leave the high-stress environment altogether. Subsequently, he relocated to Miami and took a six-month break from anchoring, during which he discovered the benefits of alternative therapies such as psychedelic mushrooms for mental health recovery. Gibson's journey is a stark reminder of the mental health struggles faced by many professionals, particularly in high-pressure industries. He eventually found a new position at PIX11 News in New York City, expressing a renewed sense of comfort and support in his work environment. Gibson's experiences highlight the critical need for better mental health awareness and support systems within the workplace, particularly in media and broadcasting, where the demand for performance can often overshadow the well-being of individuals involved.