Fox News’ Trey Inst admits trauma from covering war in Ukraine ‘changed’ him ‘forever’

Fox News foreign correspondent Trey Inst has been candid about his experience with PTSD after spending the last year in a war zone covering the invasion of Ukraine.

Yingst called conditions in Ukraine after Russia’s brutal invasion “hell on earth” in a candid op-ed published by USA Today on Sunday. The 29-year-old correspondent said the massacre he witnessed “still haunts” him.

“Last year, while covering the war in Ukraine, I reported on approaching fire, saw lifeless bodies strewn across the landscape, and experienced complex grief, which I still endure,” Inst said. “I know firsthand the rush of adrenaline that clouds your ability to process emotions.”

“War changes a person. I reported all over the world, but it was especially difficult to watch the invasion of Ukraine,” he added.

Yingst was reporting from Ukraine even before the Russian army invaded on the orders of President Vladimir Putin on February 24, 2022. A Fox News staffer said his decision to stay put when the invasion began was “costly”.

“I decided that I would stay even when most of our team left,” Inst said. “It wasn’t a question for me. I don’t regret my choice, but this decision changed my life and mind forever.”

“We feel good as long as we don’t make mistakes. For many, PTSD is not a cut or wound that stings immediately, but rather a blunt scar that remains dormant until a sound, dream, or smell triggers a flood of memories that make it hard to tell reality from reality. imagination,” he added.

Yingst encouraged people struggling with PTSD and other forms of trauma to seek help through mental health counseling or other resources. He noted that his employer, Fox News Media, among other things, offers “free consultations” to help those in need.

“You can be a tough, war-hardened reporter who goes to therapy and can convey emotion. These things are not mutually exclusive,” he added.

In a separate Twitter post, Ingst said he was “opening up” for the first time about his experience.

“I hope to set an example for the industry on the importance of maintaining your mental health,” he tweeted.

He speaks for the first time. I hope to set an example in the industry about the importance of maintaining your mental health.

“You can be a tough, war-hardened correspondent who’s in therapy and can convey emotion.” https://t.co/41ThZAIweq

— Trey Inst (@TreyYingst) February 26, 2023

Other well-known journalists have praised Insta for sharing their experiences in Ukraine.

“Good and important reading from my friend @TreyYingst,” CNN This Morning host Caitlin Collins wrote, along with a link to Yingst’s article.

“An essential read from @TreyYingst on coverage of wars like Ukraine and the importance of mental health resources for journalists,” added CBS News Political Director Fin Gomez.

“An incredible, heartbreaking essay from my friend @TreyYingst about the emotional and physical loss of a reporter covering the war. An important part of journalism,” said Fox News Senior Meteorologist Janice Dean.

Insta colleague Benjamin Hall lost a limb and vision in one eye after he was attacked while reporting on the invasion last year. Two other colleagues were killed in the attack.

Hall returned to television in January to talk about his recovery.

“I think it’s very important when you’re feeling down… to know there’s goodness on the other side,” Hall said at the time. “If you work hard, if you dedicate yourself to achieving something and you don’t stop trying to achieve it, you will achieve your goal.”