Mind Mental Health Media Awards 2010 winners announced
Posted: Tuesday 23 November 2010
Critically acclaimed BBC Four documentary Sectioned, flagship BBC One soap EastEnders and Channel 4 drama Shameless were among the big winners at last night’s prestigious Mind Mental Health Media Awards 2010. The awards, announced at a ceremony hosted by broadcaster John Sergeant at the British Film Institute, celebrate the best portrayals of mental distress and reporting of mental health in broadcast and new media.
BBC Headroom, the innovative, multi-platform learning campaign dedicated to mental health and wellbeing, was a double winner collecting the best New Media gong and a Making a Difference award in recognition of the enormous contribution the campaign has had on the BBC’s coverage of mental health issues.
Former England cricketer Marcus Trescothick also won a Making a Difference award for his involvement with the BBC’s Inside Sport documentary investigating depression amongst sportsmen, as well as his continuing efforts to raise awareness of mental health problems.
The Speaking Out award, which is presented to an individual with personal experience of mental distress, went to Royal Marine Danny Claricoates who developed post-traumatic stress disorder after witnessing the violent deaths of his two best friends while on duty in Afghanistan. Danny, one of the youngest servicemen to be awarded the Military Cross for exceptional courage under fire on three occasions, was part of a heroic group of Royal Navy and Royal Marines personnel who overcame serious mental and physical health problems to climb Mount Everest as part of shortlisted documentary War Torn Warriors (Sky 1).
Other winners on the night, selected by an independent judging panel of mental health experts and leading media figures such as BAFTA-winning writer Jimmy McGovern, included BBC World Service taking the News and Current Affairs prize and BBC Radio 4’s Anatomy of a Mental Illness claiming the Speech Radio title.
Mind Chief Executive Paul Farmer said: This year’s winners illustrate the fantastic programmes that can be made when mental health issues are tackled sensitively. Unfortunately there is still much work to be done until we are at a stage where accurate depictions are the norm rather than the exception. I hope that programme makers will follow these examples of good practice to create accurate, well-rounded characters that can improve perceptions of mental health.
BBC Headroom Learning Campaign Executive Nina Bell said: I am over the moon that BBC Headroom has won both best New Media and the prestigious Making a Difference award at the Mind Mental Health Media Awards. We worked really hard to create an engaging website that would raise awareness about mental health issues and it is just wonderful to be honored in this way. I am very proud of everyone involved and would like to thank Mind for their continued support.
England Cricketer Marcus Trescothick said: It means so much to have won Mind’s Making a Difference award. One of the worst things about having a mental health problem is feeling that you are alone and so to be recognised for helping to raise awareness, which will hopefully help others going through the same thing not to feel so isolated, is just the best feeling.
Sectioned Producer Lucy Cohen said: I am absolutely thrilled Sectioned has won best Documentary at the Mind Mental Health Media Awards. It’s a prestigious award that celebrates excellence in reporting on mental health issues and it means such a lot that Sectioned has been recognised in this way. I would like to thank Andrew, Richard and Anthony for allowing us to film their stories and Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust for all their support.
Full list of winners at the Mind Mental Health Media Awards 2010
Documentary — sponsored by UNISON
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.
Drama — sponsored by CALM
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.
News and Current Affairs — sponsored by Samaritans
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.
New Media
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.
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.
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.
Speaking Out — sponsored by Comic Relief
Danny Claricoates
Former Royal Marine Danny Claricoates who developed post-traumatic stress disorder after witnessing the violent deaths of his two best friends while on duty in Afghanistan.
Making a Difference — sponsored by Euro RSCG London
Marcus Trescothick
Cricketer Marcus Trescothick for his involvement with the BBC’s Inside Sport documentary investigating depression amongst sportsmen, as well as his continuing efforts to raise awareness of mental health problems.
Making a Difference — sponsored by Euro RSCG London
BBC Headroom for their innovative learning campaign, encouraging people to look after their mental wellbeing.
Notes
- Mind is the leading mental health charity in England and Wales. We work to create a better life for everyone with experience of mental distress.
- For more information, interviews, photographs and a range of case studies please contact the Mind media office.
T: 020 8522 1743
M: 07850 788514
E: media@mind.org.uk
ISDN: 020 8221 0817
- Join in the conversation on Twitter – use hashtag #mhmawards
- The Mind Mental Health Media Awards are sponsored by Comic Relief, Samaritans, Euro RSCG London, CALM and UNISON.
- This year’s judging panel was chaired by former voluntary sector Chief Executive and Mental Health Media Trustee Eric Appleby.
The panel comprised: - Alison Benjamin, Society Guardian editor
- Sian Davies, equalities specialist
- Donna Franceschild, BAFTA award-winning writer
- Professor Roger Graef OBE, documentary filmmaker and BAFTA Fellow
- David Lloyd, visiting Professor of television journalism at City University
- Liz Main, Mental health specialist and winner of the 2002 Mental Health Media Survivor Award
- Matt Wilkinson, Heart FM radio presenter
- Jimmy McGovern, BAFTA award-winning writer
- Read the summary and full report of Making Drama out of a Crisis online via the Shift website.