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Former ABC News anchor Kendis Gibson says a toxic work culture led to a 2018 suicide attempt.

Former ABC News anchor Kendis Gibson says a toxic work culture led to a 2018 suicide attempt.

News anchor Kendis Gibson claims that a toxic work culture at ABC News contributed to his 2018 suicide attempt.

Gibson (52) talks about his experiences at: ABC News in his book Five Tours: An Investigative Journey into Mental Health, Psychedelic Healing and Saving Liveswhich will hit store shelves on Tuesday, December 3.

According to an early fragment Page sixGibson’s stay on the Internet in 2014 started off pleasantly, as he was met with a “friendly reception” from Good morning America crew. He raved about his “official” announcement Robin Roberts when she called him “the newest member Good morning America“Live on air.

While Gibson noted that Roberts, 64, “couldn’t be nicer or more authentic both on and off camera,” some of his colleagues warned him about the toxic environment of the Disney-owned network. Gibson claimed that an anonymous black correspondent welcomed him “at Mickey’s Plantation,” an apparent reference to the franchise’s famous character, Mickey Mouse.

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“The impression I got from them was that it was referring to veiled racism,” Gibson said Page six in an interview published on Monday, November 25. “And there was some truth behind it.”

Gibson said he has worked with “19” different coaches throughout his time at the network. When Gibson tried to “perform at the highest level”, management felt he was not heard. He claimed he was humiliated and recalled a time when he was scolded for dressing like he was “going to a rap concert” and wearing jeans.

“I was so naive… I wore rose-colored glasses,” he told the outlet. “I didn’t think there was racism going on. I didn’t see all the signs.”

Gibson said he has pitched stories on GMA Lewis Hamilton, Maluma and interview with Ricky Martin but they were allegedly passed on. The journalist added that although he was popular among late-night viewers, the real respect came from prestigious people GMA.

“If you’re not on GMAyou don’t earn a living. (There seems to be) something wrong with you,” he said. “It had an effect on my psyche.”

Former ABC News anchor Kendis Gibson says a toxic culture has led to suicide attempts

Former ABC News anchor Kendis Gibson says a toxic culture has led to suicide attempts

Although Gibson admitted it he fought with a “deep depression” before joining ABC News, those around him made his situation worse. After four years with the network, Gibson had hit rock bottom.

After returning home from the night shift on the news, Gibson took two Ambiens, downed two glasses of Chardonnay, and cried himself to sleep. Gibson later woke up in the middle of the night with suicidal thoughts. He texted his ex-partner goodbye and was about to jump out of the kitchen window.

However, the drugs and alcohol knocked him to the floor. Gibson woke up and saw his friend and meteorologist, Mike Woodswho stayed by his side. Woods eventually organized an intervention for Gibson.

After his suicide attempt, Gibson returned to work. He also sought therapy and was prescribed antidepressants.

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“I didn’t like therapy. I had a love-hate relationship with SSRIs, he thought. “It allowed me to function somewhat, but it felt more suppressive and not healing.”

When Gibson’s contract with ABC was ending, the network offered him a one-year extension with a $10,000 raise. However, Gibson ultimately declined the offer because he “did not feel that devoting another year to working such a difficult schedule was not worth my time and health.”

After his time at ABC, Gibson moved to NBC News. He is currently an anchor for the local New York station PIX11 News.

ABC News declined to comment.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.