ABC News anchor recalls difficult time at network, says job worsened mental health.

Kendis Gibson, a former ABC News anchor, believes he was unfairly penalized for his efforts to promote diversity at the network, and a former executive ignored his mental health struggles while in the job.

Gibson's new book, "Five Trips," explores his experiences with mental health, psychedelic healing, and overcoming a panic attack while interviewing Beyoncé. He also shares his time at ABC News, where he worked from 2014 to 2018 and attempted suicide due to the toxic environment.

Before becoming the anchor of "World News Now," Gibson admitted to suffering from depression, but he managed to cope until he took on the role.

Gibson revealed to Planet Chronicle Digital that working those hours worsened his mental health, leading him to attempt suicide in October 2018.

Gibson claims he was unaware of the events happening behind the scenes at Disney-owned network that led him to the brink.

"In 2016, I collaborated with another correspondent to lead a diversity initiative at ABC, aiming to increase the number of senior executives of color at the network. At that time, we had no Black senior producers or executives on any of our shows. Although we had several Black individuals on air, we lacked representation behind the scenes. Unbeknownst to us, there was some marginalization and payback occurring for myself and others behind the scenes."

Gibson stated that the correspondent he was working with to promote diversity at ABC News was not renewed, and his appearances on "Good Morning America" were reduced by almost two-thirds.

Gibson stated that his hits on 'GMA' gradually faded away without any significant change.

Gibson, now an anchor for PIX11 News in New York, stated that the show's producers questioned why he didn't appear on the show more often, prompting him to search for answers as it appeared the decision was being made from above their heads.

Gibson stated that there was a senior vice president of news who had complete and overall power on many of their lives, and who could decide who would be on the show and who would not. He believed that this person was making sure that he did not get "Good Morning America" appearances.

Gibson stated that she was the same person who, when her mental health began to deteriorate, reached out to say, "This is affecting me. I need to leave the show," but her requests for help were never answered.

In his book, Gibson portrays Barbara Fedida, the former ABC News head of talent, as a powerful figure who held more influence than her title suggests.

In 2020, ABC News fired Fedida following an internal investigation that revealed she made "unacceptable racially insensitive comments" after journalist Yashar Ali exposed her mistreatment of Black journalists at the network. Even after leaving the network, Gibson was still haunted by the details of Ali's reporting.

Gibson stated that he discovered she mentioned Robin Roberts, the host of 'Good Morning America,' regarding a salary increase, asserting that "it's not like we're trying to get her to pick cotton."

""She said that ABC News would pay more for toilet paper than they would ever pay for me, and this woman had my mental health in her hand at the time, which had a terrible impact on my health in hindsight," he continued."

Gibson stated that Fedida employed him, but he's unsure of her motivations at the time.

"As I mention in my book 'Five Trips,' history is filled with individuals who would employ or compel people of color for their own financial gain," he stated.

In 2020, Fedida did not reply to Planet Chronicle Digital's request for comment regarding the accusations against her, and she also did not promptly respond to questions about Gibson's remarks.

ABC News has been without Fedida for over four years, and Gibson noted that a Black woman, Kim Godwin, was appointed head of the network shortly after Fedida was let go.

Gibson stated that during their previous meetings, the individuals said they were unable to locate any minorities to fill prominent positions.

"After the Barbara Fedida scandal, they were able to find executive producers, senior producers, and a vice president for talent. As a result, the ABC is now more diversified behind the scenes."

In May, Godwin, the first Black woman to lead a national news network, resigned after three tumultuous years.

ABC News did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

An investigative journey into mental health, psychedelic healing, and saving a life is now available in the form of "Five Trips.

Planet Chronicle Digital’s Joseph A. Wulfsohn contributed to this report.