Mind commends positive mental health coverage

Journalist of the Year shortlist announced

Embargoed until 0001 Thursday 4 May

Mental health charity Mind today announces the shortlist for its Journalist of the Year award. The award is given to a journalist who has made a positive contribution to public understanding of mental health issues.

The award will be presented by Lord (Melvyn) Bragg, president of Mind, at the 25th Mind Awards ceremony, on Wednesday 17 May in London, along with the Mind Book of the Year and Champion of the Year awards.

Claire Ashby, Head of Media Relations at Mind, said:

"The journalists on the shortlist represent a range of media and a diversity of approaches to mental health issues. What they have in common is making an important impact on public understanding of mental health issues. Mind recognises that good journalism plays a vital role in combating the misperceptions surrounding mental distress.

We know that for many people with mental health problems, how mental distress is reported by the media is a major concern. Bad reporting contributes to stigma; good reporting can be very empowering."

The winner will be decided by a panel of winners from the three previous years: Simon Garfield of The Observer, Sophie Goodchild of The Independent on Sunday, and Joanna Kowalski, formerly of the Nottingham Evening Post.

This year’s shortlist includes the youngest ever nominee for the award, Derby University student, Nikki Aaron, 23, who has been shortlisted for a feature she wrote while doing work experience with the Birmingham Post.

Mind Journalist of the Year 2006 Shortlist

Madeleine Bunting, The Guardian
Emma Forrest, Health Service Journal
Paul Groves and Nikki Aaron (jointly), Birmingham Post
Nick Johnstone, The Guardian
Jane Murphy, Health and Fitness
Jo Stagg, Cambridge Evening News

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