Mind Journalist of the Year Award 2008 shortlist announced

Strong showing for campaigning local reporters in Mind's mental health journalism award shortlist

Mental health charity Mind today released the shortlist for its Journalist of the Year Award 2008, open to all news and consumer print journalists, with campaigning local journalists making a strong showing.

The nominated journalists are:

Anne Fitzgerald, Essex Chronicle
The shortlisting panel felt that Anne's extensive and engaging mental health campaign made an excellent contribution to the understanding of mental health issues.

Ben Goldacre, Guardian
Ben Goldacre's principled, informative and entertaining writing, ably demystified complex topics and campaigned effectively for a more holistic understanding of mental health.

Amelia Hill, Observer
Amelia Hill's powerful and moving articles explored various mental health issues, including childhood anorexia and mental health problems among women prisoners. The shortlisting panel praised the high quality of her writing.

Andrew Johnson, Independent on Sunday
Andrew Johnson's incisive reporting shone light on an often overlooked topic: places of safety, where police can take people who are in need of medical assessment, which are too often, in practice, police cells.

Mary O'Hara, Society Guardian
Mary O'Hara's tenacity in standing up for people with mental health problems shone through in her wide-ranging reporting.

Nadia Stone, Exeter Express and Echo
Nadia Stone's thoughtful series of articles carefully examined local mental health issues, explaining both their national and personal context.

Dominique Taylor, Bexley Extra
Dominique Taylor gave particular attention to depression in her 'Road to recovery' campaign, which exposed the extent of gaps in local mental health services while increasing understanding of depression.

Separately, BBC Home Editor, Mark Easton, has been shortlisted for the Mind Champion of the Year Award 2008, along with journalist and author, Clare Allan; while Sunday Express editor, Martin Townsend, is shortlisted for the Mind Book of the Year Award 2008. The Champion award celebrates the work of people who have challenged stigma and contributed to a greater understanding of mental health issues. Previous winners include Stephen Fry and Frank Bruno.

Clare Allan rose to fame in 2007 with the release of her novel Poppy Shakespeare, a satirical take on life on the inside of the mental health inpatient system. Her book was recently adapted into a 90-minute drama for Channel Four. Clare has spoken openly in the media about her own mental health problems and writes a regular column for Society Guardian on issues affecting mental health service users.

Mark Easton is the BBC's Home Editor. He wrote and presented the BBC Two series The Happiness Formula, which investigated the science and politics of wellbeing. Mark strives to make the mental health agenda accessible to a wide audience and to get the voice of people with mental health problems heard. His informed and fair reporting sets the standard for how mental health issues should be covered in the media, and he recently contributed to a guide aimed at journalists and editors on how to accurately report on mental health and suicide.

Mind is inviting the public to vote online for the Mind Champion from a shortlist of seven candidates. 

Mind's Book of the Year Award, now in its 27th year, celebrates writing that contributes to a greater understanding of mental health issues. In The father I had, Sunday Express Editor, Martin Townsend, presents a vivid personal account of the trials, fears and joys of growing up with a father diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Both tender and unrelentingly honest, Townsend tracks the often-hilarious highs and harrowing lows that test the heart of a very ordinary, 1950s working-class family.

More information on the Mind Book of the Year Award

Mind Student Journalist of the Year Award

For the second year, Mind is also presenting a student journalism award, to celebrate mental health writing in student publications. Psychologies magazine has kindly offered work experience to the winner of the student journalist award.

The shortlisted student journalists are:

Huw Davies, Gair Rhydd, University of Cardiff

Olivia Gagan, Exeposé, University of Exeter

Sukanya Deshraj, London Student, University of London Union

The awards will be presented at the Mind Awards event, hosted by Mind's President, Melvyn Bragg, in central London on Thursday 15 May. The awards form part of Mind week, which this year focuses on the impact of debt on mental health.

For more information, contact Alison Kerry, senior media officer:
020 8522 1743 / 07850 788 514 / a.kerry@mind.org.uk

Photographs of last year's awards event are available online

Photographs of this year's will be available after the day.

Notes to editors