This blog is inspired by a recent presentation at the Australian OSINT Symposium 2024 by OSINT Combine’s Ashleigh Brady and Colm Phillips, "Mindful OSINT: The Resilient OSINT Practitioner”. In recognition of World Mental Health Day on October 10th, Ashleigh and Colm are pleased to share their experiences, as well as insights from the broader OSINT community, on managing mental health in open-source intelligence (OSINT).
Following a suggestion from an attendee at Symposium, we invite readers – as members of the global OSINT community – to participate in a survey that aims to gather further insights and strategies on this important topic:
In a world flooded with information, prioritizing mental health is essential. Resilience is not just about enduring challenges—it’s about thriving despite them.
Disclaimer: This blog aims to raise awareness of the challenges with viewing traumatic user-generated content as part of OSINT work. While the suggestions provided are based on lived experiences and researched best practices, they are not a substitute for professional counseling or therapeutic support. If you or someone you know is struggling, please seek help from a qualified mental health professional.
Navigating Traumatic User-Generated Content
As the landscape of information gathering evolves, open-source intelligence (OSINT) practitioners find themselves increasingly reliant on user-generated content (UGC). This shift has opened the door to a wealth of real-time insights but has also ushered in significant challenges, particularly mental health. With rising instances of traumatic content being circulated online, it's crucial for OSINT professionals to recognize the potential for vicarious trauma and cultivate resilience strategies to protect their mental well-being.
OSINT's unique challenges
OSINT is unique among intelligence disciplines because it allows access to "raw reporting" that is not beholden to any guidelines or editorial standards. Unlike other forms of intelligence collection, where formal filtering and debriefing mechanisms are frequently par for the course, OSINT practitioners may be exposed to distressing content from the outset, often without realizing the impact such material can have on their mental health. Topnotch OSINT professionals tend to be naturally curious and driven to fully understand complex issues. However, this curiosity, combined with the need to stay on top of current events and trends, if left unchecked, can result in habits and working conditions that can be a detriment to mental health.
One of the main challenges faced by OSINT practitioners is disengagement. It is common for analysts to feel compelled to continue their research after hours or during their personal time, particularly when major global events dominate the news and social media. Additionally, many individuals pride themselves on being subject matter experts. This pressure to be constantly up to date with the latest developments can result in overexposure to distressing content, potentially leading to burnout or emotional exhaustion.
Additionally, the lack of physical danger in OSINT compared to military or law enforcement roles can create a false sense of security. OSINT work is often conducted in isolation, without the debriefing or peer support systems found in other fields. This combination of isolation, content overload, and the emotional weight of UGC can lead to a perfect storm of mental health challenges.
Understanding Traumatic User-Generated Content
User-generated content (UGC) refers to any content created and shared by individuals on platforms like social media, blogs, and forums. As we move toward a future where, by 2033, an estimated 78% of all online content will be UGC, the importance of these contributions for OSINT grows. However, the sheer volume of UGC means that OSINT practitioners are at a high risk of exposure to disturbing and traumatic imagery and narratives—making the job not only demanding but also potentially psychologically taxing.
The past decade has seen a notable increase in violent livestreamed events, with over 70% occurring in just the last four years. As OSINT professionals sift through this distressing material, the risk of vicarious trauma becomes all too real.
Vicarious Trauma: A Hidden Threat
Vicarious trauma, as defined in the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), can occur through repeated exposure to traumatic material in a work context. Unlike PTSD, which typically follows direct exposure to trauma, vicarious trauma is triggered by witnessing distressing images and videos over time.
Research shows that the frequency of exposure, rather than its duration, plays a key role in determining its psychological impact. For OSINT practitioners, whose tasks often involve daily engagement with UGC, the likelihood of developing PTSD-like symptoms increases significantly. Emotional distress, intrusive thoughts, avoidance behaviors, and physical symptoms such as headaches and fatigue are common indicators of vicarious trauma.
The OSINT Mental Health Battery
One way to conceptualize mental health for OSINT practitioners is by viewing it as a "mental health battery." Just like a battery that depletes over time, the constant engagement with distressing material drains an individual’s emotional and cognitive reserves. To stay effective and mentally healthy, practitioners must regularly “recharge” their battery through self-care, adequate rest, and healthy work boundaries.
Recharging will look different for everyone but might include simple practices like maintaining a work-life balance, getting enough sleep, exercising, or taking regular breaks during investigations. Having a well-charged mental health battery will better prepare practitioners for particularly tough tasks that involve viewing traumatic content, while also helping them return to their natural baseline after a difficult assignment. There is a wealth of information online that may offer some ideas on how you can charge your mental health battery, here are several sites that we love:
Self-knowledge is important. Not everyone will experience the same symptoms when their battery is running low. Some emotional symptoms could include being more irritable, experiencing mood swings or feeling overwhelmed. You may find that you get headaches, are more easily fatigued, sleep is more disrupted, you feel like you are being crushed or there is a weight on your chest. Day-to-day performance may decrease, and you simply just feel drained. Some people may also isolate themselves from friends, family and colleagues and begin to feel detached. These are just a few examples of emotional, physical and cognitive symptoms. If you find that you cannot recharge or it is taking a lot longer than usual, ask for help!
Reducing the Impact of Distressing Content
Here are some of the techniques that we, and our fellow OSINT peers use to help us to mitigate effects of traumatic content exposure:
View in greyscale: Removing color from distressing images can help dull their emotional impact, allowing for more analytical processing of the content.
Mute videos: Audio can intensify the emotional response to traumatic content. Muting videos may help OSINT professionals maintain emotional distance.
Sanitize your workspace: Creating a clean and organized workspace can foster a sense of control, reducing mental fatigue. Avoid viewing distressing content in areas of your home where you relax or spend time with family.
Take regular breaks: Setting alarms for breaks and taking time to step away from the screen helps reset your mind and reduces the risk of burnout.
Limit exposure: Set boundaries on how much traumatic content you consume. Do you need to view the entire video, or would reading a transcript suffice?
Have a plan: Plan when, where, and how you will undertake your work, and implement the techniques that work best for you. Don’t hesitate to seek help when needed.
By applying these methods, OSINT practitioners can better manage their exposure to distressing content while maintaining a healthy work-life balance. It’s important to find what works for you and your team, and to regularly check in on one another.
What to do after exposure to traumatic content
If you’ve been unexpectedly exposed to traumatic content or feel affected by something you’ve seen, don’t panic. It’s normal to feel upset, anxious, or preoccupied—or even to feel nothing at all. Step away from your computer and take a break. Consider talking about your experience with your manager or a colleague, or write down your thoughts and feelings. The key is to acknowledge and validate your emotions.
Always report the exposure to your manager, following your company’s procedures. Sharing what happened helps identify workplace hazards, improves processes, and reduces further exposure for your team. Your organization may also offer support resources, such as trained Mental Health First Aiders or Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs).
If you or someone you know is in immediate distress or a life-threatening situation, contact local emergency services or go to the nearest emergency room.
Managerial Considerations
Many jurisdictions worldwide now enforce legal obligations regarding safe workplaces under various health and safety laws. Beyond these requirements, it is widely acknowledged that managers have a responsibility to protect the mental well-being of their OSINT teams. This includes implementing processes, providing relevant training, and fostering a supportive work culture.
Creating such a culture involves more than simply managing workloads; it requires normalizing conversations about mental health. Providing resources, such as counseling services and stress management programs, can help build a positive and resilient work environment. Managers should remain mindful of the types of UGC their teams encounter and consider redistributing tasks, when possible, to ease the emotional burden on individuals.
It’s also crucial to avoid making assumptions about what content may be traumatic—each person is different. Promoting an open culture where employees feel safe discussing mental health concerns can significantly reduce the risk of burnout. Regular check-ins and fostering continuous, open dialogue are essential components of this approach.
Conclusion: A Call for More Research
The rise of user-generated content (UGC) in the OSINT field presents both opportunities and challenges. While UGC provides real-time insights, it also exposes practitioners to increasing amounts of traumatic material. Unfortunately, there remains a significant gap in understanding the long-term mental health effects of this exposure.
By fostering mental health resilience, adopting coping strategies, and promoting organizational support, OSINT professionals can better manage these challenges. However, more research is needed to develop industry-specific interventions that safeguard OSINT practitioners in the years to come.
During the Australian OSINT Symposium in September 2024, an audience member suggested conducting a survey to gather insights from the OSINT community on this important issue. In the spirit of OSINTers supporting OSINTers, we invite you to participate in this survey. The survey will be open throughout October 2024, and the information collected will guide further discussions on this critical topic.
Let’s prioritize mental health in the OSINT community and take proactive steps to ensure our practitioners remain resilient, engaged, and supported.