Former ABC News anchor Kendis Gibson claims a toxic work culture led to her 2018 suicide attempt

News Anchor Kendis Gibson claims that the toxic work culture during his time at ABC News played a role in his suicide attempt in 2018.

Gibson, 52, recounts his experiences at ABC News in his book Five Journeys: A research journey into the areas of mental health, psychedelic healing and lifesavingwhich hits shelves on Tuesday, December 3rd.

According to an early excerpt from Page sixGibson’s time at the station in 2014 began pleasantly, as he received a “heartwarming reception” from there Good morning America Crew. He gushed about his “official” announcement Robin Roberts as she referred to him as “the newest member of the.” Good morning America“Live on air.

While Gibson noted that Roberts, 64, “couldn’t have been nicer and more genuine in front of and behind the camera,” some of his other colleagues warned him about the toxic environment at the Disney-owned network. Gibson claimed that an unnamed black correspondent welcomed him “to Mickey’s Plantation,” apparently referring to Mickey Mouse, the brand’s well-known character.

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“The feeling I got from them was that it was racism in disguise,” Gibson said Page six in an interview published on Monday, November 25th. “And there was some truth in that.”

Gibson shared that he has worked with “19” different coaches throughout his tenure at the network. When Gibson tried to “do his best,” he felt unheard by executives. He claimed he was spoken to in a derogatory manner and recalled a moment when he was insulted for dressing as if he was “attending a rap concert” by wearing jeans.

“I was so naive… I had rose-colored glasses on,” he claimed to the outlet. “I didn’t think racism existed. I didn’t see all the clues.”

Gibson shared that he presented stories for GMA that focused on issues Lewis Hamilton, Maluma and an interview with Ricky Martin but they were supposedly passed on. The journalist added that while he is popular with night viewers, the real respect comes from the prestigious GMA.

“If you’re not there GMAyou don’t earn a living. (It feels like) there’s something wrong with you,” he claimed. “It messed with my psyche.”

While Gibson admitted that he struggled with “underlying depression” before joining ABC News, the environment made things worse for him. After working for the network for four years, Gibson reached his lowest point.

After returning home from a nightly news shift, Gibson took two Ambiens and two glasses of Chardonnay and cried himself to sleep. Later, Gibson woke up in the middle of the night with suicidal thoughts. He texted his former partner goodbye and wanted to jump out the kitchen window.

However, the drugs and alcohol caused him to fall backwards onto the floor. Gibson woke up and saw his friend and meteorologist. Mike Woodswho stayed by his side. Woods eventually staged 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 the therapy. I had a love-hate relationship with SSRIs,” he recalled. “It allowed me to function a little bit, but it felt more like it was suppressing it and not treating it.”

When Gibson’s contract with ABC expired, the network offered him a one-year extension with a $10,000 raise. However, Gibson ultimately declined the offer because he “felt it was not worth my time and my health to sacrifice another year working on this difficult schedule.”

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

ABC News declined to comment.

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