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Mind Mental Health Media Awards shortlist announced
Posted Wednesday 15 September 2010
Mind is pleased to announce the shortlist for this year’s Mind Mental Health Media Awards, sponsored by Comic Relief and Samaritans.
Richard Curtis, Jimmy McGovern and Paul Abbott are just some of the big name writers whose work has been shortlisted in the Drama category and top rated soaps Eastenders and Emmerdale go head to head for the Soaps prize. The awards, which celebrate the best portrayal of mental distress and reporting of mental health in broadcast media, will be held at the British Film Institute on Monday 22 November 2010.
The full list of nominations are as follows
Documentary
Embarrassing Bodies 3 (Channel 4)
The experiences of people living with mental health problems including post natal depression and schizophrenia are examined throughout this series with the clear message ‘have no shame we are all the same’.
Inside Sport: Mind Games: Depression in Sport (BBC One)
Marcus Trescothick, Frank Bruno and Paul Gascoigne are just some of the sport stars that speak out about their experiences of depression in this documentary. Gabby Logan examines the stigma that surrounds mental health issues and asks whether we ask too much of our sporting heroes.
O Flaen Dy Lygaid: Gorawen (BBC Cymru Wales)
A revealing portrait of two artists whose friendship has been strengthened by a shared experience of bipolar disorder. Musician David Edwards and actress Ree Davies talk honestly about the creative impulse, time they've spent in psychiatric units and hopes for the future.
Sectioned (BBC Four)
Sectioned follows the experiences of Andrew, Richard and Anthony on their journey through the mental health system. With unprecedented access to one of the largest mental health trusts in the UK, it brings into sharp focus the huge challenges faced by patients and staff alike.
War Torn Warriors: Episode 1, Fighting Back (SKY1 & SKY1 HD)
Three Royal Marines, horrifically injured both physically and mentally in Afghanistan, endure the long and painful process of recovery before pitting themselves against the high Himalayas in the adventure of a lifetime.
Drama
Criminal Justice: Series 2 (BBC One)
The second series of Criminal Justice presents a searing look at the justice system through the eyes of an abused woman.
Dr Who – Vincent and the Doctor (BBC One/BBC Wales)
Richard Curtis writes this touching episode of Dr Who about the mental health experiences of the great artist Vincent Van Gogh.
In Treatment: Season 1 (Sky Arts 1 HD)
Gabriel Byrne stars as a psychotherapist in this American drama which in each episode explores the experiences of one patient in a therapy session as if it was in real time.
Shameless: Series 7 (Channel 4)
Manchester based comedy drama Shameless explores bipolar disorder as character Karen tries to deal with the death of her best friend Mandy.
The Street: Series 3, Episode 3 (BBC One)
In this episode of Jimmy McGovern’s drama we follow the life of a soldier returning home and coming to terms with life changing injuries.
New Media
Battle Scarred
Channel 4 developed this dedicated website to accompany the Dispatches television programme Battle Scarred which examined the psychological effects experienced by British soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.
BBC Headroom
BBC Headroom is a multi-platform campaign which aims to raise awareness of the importance of good mental health and de-stigmatise mental health problems. At the heart of the campaign is this website which provides a safe and inviting place to explore some difficult issues.
Dementia: A Family’s Story
An examination of the emotional impact of dementia on one woman, her family, friends and the professionals who care for her. Interactive video content looks at the different ways people are affected, how relationships change and allows the user to become engaged with this sensitive issue.
Recovery: Stories of Coping with Mental Health Problems
This website provides advice and information about living with a mental health problem through first hand accounts of recovery.
News and current affairs
BBC Breakfast (BBC One)
BBC Breakfast looks at the dangers of falling through the care gap when access to young people mental health services end before adult services begin.
Global Mental Health Series (BBC World Service)
BBC World Service news explores the impact, extent and outlook for mental health problems across the globe from the first ever Global Mental Health Summit in Athens.
Newsround (BBC One)
A report on childhood anorexia and the experiences of Taylor, a 12 year old boy who lost around half his body weight but went on to get treatment and is now recovering well.
Self Harm and the Internet (BBC Radio 1)
An investigation by Radio 1 Newsbeat into rising rates of self harm among young people in the UK. This report was also broadcast across other BBC programmes including the 6 o’clock news.
Soaps
EastEnders (BBC One)
The ongoing storyline focusing on the Slater family’s experience of bipolar disorder sees Stacey stop taking her medication and becoming very unwell and her mother faced with the heartbreaking decision of having her sectioned.
Emmerdale (ITV 1)
Loathing his own sexuality, Aaron is driven to despair and terrified of being judged as he retreats inside himself. The mental distress of fighting his sexuality sees him decide that suicide is his only way out.
Speech Radio
Anatomy of a Mental Illness (BBC Radio 4)
This programme follows the story of Angela Barnes, who was detained under the Mental Health Act after a psychotic episode in 2005. It traces Angela's experiences, speaking to her family and carers about the impact of bipolar disorder and her path to recovery.
Solace, Afternoon Play (BBC Radio 4)
This drama explores dependency on prescribed tranquilisers and the difficult process of withdrawing.
Taking a Stand (BBC Radio 4)
A young couple explain with raw honesty how bipolar disorder has affected their relationship.
Warning: May contain nuts (BBC Radio Berkshire)
Four months of creative writing workshops in mental health day centres culminated in Warning: May Contain Nuts, a comedy night featuring professional stand-ups and service users.
You & Yours: Bipolar diaries (BBC Radio 4)
Chris Danes presents a series of audio diaries about his experiences of living with bipolar disorder recording his 'crashing depressions' and 'terrific' highs.
Mind Chief Executive Paul Farmer said:
The media is incredibly powerful in educating and influencing the public about mental health problems and we have been encouraged by the vast improvements we have seen in recent years to show mental health in a realistic and sensitive way.
Great progress has been made to bring mental health issues into mainstream programming with popular shows such as Dr Who, Embarrassing Bodies and Eastenders exploring the issues.
We hope the Mind Mental Health Media Awards will be an inspiration to broadcasters to continue to feature mental health in a positive way, with one in four people experiencing a mental health problem it should be no surprise that there is huge public appetite for this content.