Complain to the media

If you have seen inappropriate coverage of mental health in the media, you can make a complaint.

Media coverage can help promote awareness around mental wellbeing;however, bad reporting can contribute to misunderstanding and negative attitudes towards people who experience mental distress. If you've seen or heard media coverage that you deem to be discriminatory or offensive, you can make a complaint in the following ways:

Contact the PCC
Tel: 020 7831 0022

Halton House
20/23 Holborn
London EC1N 2JD

Print media

If you have a complaint about coverage you have seen in a newspaper or magazine, the first step is to email or write to the editor. If they do not respond within a week or if you are not satisfied with their response, you can consider making a complaint to the Press Complaints Commission (PCC).

The Press Complaints Commission is an independent body that deals with complaints about coverage in the printed media and their websites. The Commission produces a code of practice for print journalists setting down the standards of reporting they should adhere to. They can consider whether the media coverage in question is in breach of that code, and if so, take the complaint forward.

You will need to keep hold of a hard copy of the coverage to post to the PCC, or provide an image of the coverage you can send via email.

Contact Ofcom
Tel: 020 7981 3040 or 0300 123 3333

Television and radio

If you would like to make a complaint about something you've seen or heard on TV and radio, you can complain to the broadcaster directly or you can complain to the industry regulator, Ofcom.  Many broadcasters will have information on how to complain on their websites. If you have seen a TV or radio programme scheduled you want to complain about that hasn't been broadcast yet, you will need to complain to the broadcaster directly, as Ofcom only deals with complaints after a programme has been aired.