Close
Mind homeLatestMind Media AwardsPrevious winnersWinners 2012

2012 Winners

Documentary

Winner: Britain’s Biggest Hoarders (BBC One) 

Presenter Jasmine Harman follows her mother, Vasoulla, and two others who all experience hoarding. A look at the strain hoarding can put on a whole family.

Shortlist

The powerful story of a family coming to terms with their father’s unexplained psychotic episode and the physical and emotional aftermath that followed.

An exploration of the role art therapy can play in the rehabilitation of ex-servicemen experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder.

Revealing insight into the rarely discussed issues surrounding men’s mental health. Sensitive first-hand accounts from men with personal experience of mental health problems, including former England rugby player Duncan Bell.

Cricket star Freddie Flintoff talks to Steve Harmison, Vinnie Jones, Ricky Hatton and other sporting heroes about the serious effects of depression. He confronts his own issues as England captain and the stigma attached to talking openly about depression.

Drama

Winner: Homeland (Channel 4) 

Claire Danes plays Carrie Mathison, a CIA officer who has bipolar disorder. Through the series she struggles to hide her condition, fearful she’ll lose her job if her mental health diagnosis is discovered.

Shortlist

In this incredibly challenging storyline we see Lol, played by actress Vicky McClure, reach out for help after a number of traumatic incidents, experienced over many years, takes a toll on her mental health.

Against the backdrop of East London drug and gang culture, a single mother is hospitalised with depression, leaving her son to fend for himself. A heartening tale of recovery and the wide-reaching impact of mental health problems.

A two-part drama following Janet Leach, played by Emily Watson, and the emotional and mental distress caused to her family as she takes on the role of Appropriate Adult for Fred West. We see her partner experience the deterioration of his mental health and start to experience symptoms of bipolar disorder.

The stress of exams leads schoolboy Josh to stop taking the medication he needs to manage his schizophrenia. He experiences episodes of psychosis and in this episode is taken to hospital.

Factual entertainment

Winner: Piers Morgan’s Life Stories (ITV)

Piers Morgan's primetime biographical chat show invites celebrity guests to share their life experiences. Frank Bruno, Rolf Harris, Peter Andre and Paul Gascoigne have all spoken openly about their own mental health problems, prompted by Piers' careful questioning.

Shortlist

Julia covers a range of emotionally charged issues, including depression and suicide, with sensitivity and compassion.  Callers are encouraged to share their experiences, inspiring the many listeners to the morning show.

Tim Samuels routinely champions, and normalises, real male candour and new thinking around mental health, through the pioneering men's magazine show.

This piece sat at the centre of Sky Sports’ coverage of the pioneering campaign State of Mind, to raise awareness and challenge stigma around mental health problems in rugby, in the lead up to live Super League games.

Gok Wan inspires the nation's teens, starting conversations around mental health issues.  He frequently draws on his own experiences as a teenager to help give the next generation confidence and self-belief.

Soaps

Winner: Emmerdale (ITV1)

Having long enjoyed his position as head of the family, Zak Dingle finds it incredibly hard to accept his diagnosis of depression. He battles feelings of weakness and tries to hide his experiences from his family.

Shortlist

Having his wedding called off is the last in a string of stressful incidences for Ian Beale, leading him to experience a mental health crisis and leave Walford and his family behind. 

After being raped by a former friend, Macs experiences the mental and emotional effects of the attack, before finally seeking support from his father.

The Mark Hanson digital media award

Winner: Mental Health Cop

A useful resource accessed by both police officers and service users, clearly explaining the legal processes, police procedures and human and civil rights associated with mental health problems.

Shortlist

An online community for anyone experiencing mental distress. It's a 'safe' place to express feelings using graffiti-style 'bricks', take part in live therapy sessions and discussions, or simply post experiences and questions in a nonjudgemental environment.

Through this blog Ilona Burton speaks with great honesty and openness about her own experiences of mental health problems and eating disorders, as well as reviewing media portrayal of related issues.

A series of frank videos talking openly about schizophrenia, suicide and the stigma that surrounds mental health problems.  

A sensitive resource for the husbands of women experiencing postnatal depression.

News and current affairs, sponsored by Samaritans

Winner: Channel 4 News: Antipsychotic Drugs for Kids 

An investigation into how health professionals are treating children with behavioural problems. It uncovered a dramatic rise in the use of powerful antipsychotic drugs, and a shocking absence of monitoring.

Shortlist 

A look at the psychological impact of fighting on the frontline, including an in depth interview with Paratrooper Peter Doolan, who experienced PTSD after he returned from the Iraq war.

  • Iain Dale: Mental Health and The Work Capability Assessment (LBC 97.3)

A look at the effects of the Work Capability Assessment to people with mental health problems, with calls from listeners detailing their experiences.

A look at the 66% increase in NHS hospital admissions for male eating disorders, including interviews with case studies and GPs. The piece highlights the need to understand that eating disorders are not just a female issue.

Geraint Vincent’s series investigated the issues faced by serving and veteran soldiers and their families, in overcoming stress, PTSD and mental health issues.

Speech radio  

Winner: Henry’s Demons (BBC Radio 4)

Henry tells his story of schizophrenia and his experience of hearing voices that urged him to swim across Newhaven Estuary. His account is intercut with those of his mother and father, who is war correspondent Patrick Cockburn.

Shortlist

  • Iain Dale: Mental Health Special Programmes (LBC 97.3 Radio)

Iain Dale frequently discusses mental health on his show – clips include a phone-in about mental health discrimination with Diane Abbott, an interview with Alastair Campbell about his eBook The Happy Depressive, and emotional calls from listeners in reaction to Gary Speed’s death.   

  • Mental Health in Prison (Radio Wanno in HMP Wandsworth)

Created by a prisoner for his community, this programme focuses on mental health, stress disorders and the emotional impact of prison - providing first-hand prisoner testimony, professional guidance and helpful signposting.

Tim Samuels reveals the inspiring, uneasy and unexpected story of poetry as a form of therapy for soldiers experiencing PTSD after returning from war.

Clare Balding walks and talks with Stuart Jessup who has depression.  He and his wife, Kate, discuss openly the impact his depression has had on both of their lives, and describe how the simple act of walking can help.

Journalist of the year, sponsored by AXA PPP healthcare

Winner: Julia George (BBC Radio Kent)

Julia’s morning show regularly focuses on mental health issues, uncovering the real-life concerns faced by many who listen across the county.  The audience have shared their experiences of depression, suicide, body image and addiction through calls, emails, texts and tweets, motivated by Julia’s sensitive approach.

Shortlist

  • Emma Woolf (The Times)

Charting her personal journey to overcome anorexia, Emma Woolf has written openly and honestly about the daily challenges and triumphs she has faced week in, week out, through her column in The Times since 2010.

  • Patrick Strudwick (Freelance, The Times, the Independent)

Patrick Strudwick has been dedicated in following a two-year professional conduct case against a gay 'cure' therapist and reported expertly on its conclusion. Furthermore, he has written widely about mental health issues from bipolar disorder, bulimia and body dysmorphia to post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression.

  • Tim Samuels, Men’s Hour (BBC Radio 5 Live)

Men’s Hour was the brainchild of Tim and once it hit the airwaves, he has used his position to tackle mental health issues with passion, creativity and impact. He has also shone a candid light on a range of issues from art therapy to depression and PTSD.

  • Lucy Johnston and Ted Jeory (Sunday Express)

Since launching the Sunday Express Crusade for Better Mental Health, Lucy and Ted have featured weekly pieces on what many regard as Britain’s biggest taboo. They have created public debate to encourage readers in thinking and talking about mental health in the same way as physical health.

Student journalist of the year

Winner: Ashley Hamer (London College of Communication)

For her final year project, Ashley recorded the intimate story of a mother and her son who regularly self-harms. An incredibly personal portrayal which gets to the heart of the issues involved.

Shortlist

  • Ed Tarlton (Nottingham University)

Ed’s personal account of life as a student with depression resonates with many at university. Insightful and impactful.

  • Oliver Perkins-Gibbons (University of Lincoln)

In investigating the issue of student suicide, Oliver’s passion led him to use the Freedom of Information Act, to obtain the figures for students attempting suicide and those who had taken their own lives, in every English university. His incredible investigation is documented through this film.

  • Victoria Aitchison (London College of Fashion)

As a final year fashion student experiencing mental health problems, Victoria produced a digital magazine for her final project. She had a breakdown in 2007 and has written about her own experiences hoping it changes the way young people view mental health.

Making a difference, sponsored by Havas Worldwide London

Sunday Express for their Crusade for Better Mental Health

Winner of the 2012 Making a difference award is the Sunday Express for their Crusade for Better Mental Health. Their stated aim was to create a public debate in which we start thinking and talking about mental health in the same way as we do physical health. The campaign was spearheaded by the paper’s editor, Martin Townsend, who committed a huge amount of column inches and over a prolonged period of time. The work was led by two of our journalist of the year shortlisted nominees, Ted Jeory and Lucy Johnston.

Speaking out, sponsored by Comic Relief

Vasoulla Savvidou

Speaking out about mental health problems can be hard for someone in the public eye, but it can be even harder for someone not used to publicity. The 2012 Speaking out award went to Vasoulla Savvidou, who opened up about her hoarding to her daughter, Jasmine Harman in the BBC One documentary Britain’s Biggest Hoarders.

Share

You might also like…