This year’s event is sponsored by Virgin Money Giving, and takes place on Monday 16 November at The Troxy in London.
Hundreds of entries were received by Mind for this year’s awards, which celebrate the very best portrayals and reporting of mental health across broadcast, print and digital media. Notable names, including Maisie Williams, Paul Whitehouse and Simon Gregson appear on the shortlist for their work in nominated dramas Cyber Bully, Nurse and Coronation Street.
Paul Farmer, Chief Executive of Mind, the mental health charity, says: “It’s been another hugely busy year for mental health in the media, with publications increasingly dedicating lots of space to campaigns which tell the real stories of people affected by a range of conditions. I would like to congratulate all the nominees for making it to the shortlist for this year’s Mind Media Awards.
“We’ve come a very long way from mental health stories of the past which focused on ‘mad’ ‘bad’ and ‘scary’. With the continued support, and passion, of people working in the media we can make sure that mental health problems, and associated issues, are portrayed sensitively and accurately – because it plays a vital role in reducing the stigma and discrimination experienced by people with mental health problems in the UK.”
Jo Barnett, Executive Director at Virgin Money Giving says: “Mind is a wonderful charity, delivering a vital service to support mental wellbeing across England and Wales. Mental health issues affect many people and Virgin Money Giving is delighted to support the Mind Media awards to celebrate those who challenge the status quo and bring mental health issues out into the open.”
The full list of nominations is:
Factual Television
Drama
Entertainment
Soaps & Continuing Series sponsored by Luke Kendall
Publication
Radio
News and Current Affairs sponsored by Combat Stress
Blogger
Journalist sponsored by Bupa
Anna Sargent Student Journalist
Shortlisted entries will be judged by a panel of media industry experts on criteria including whether the entry challenges common perceptions of mental health, is well-crafted and responsibly produced, safe for intended audiences and reaching new audiences.
Joining the judging panel for the first time this year are TV presenter and Daily Mirror columnist Fiona Phillips, TV producer and co-founder of Hat Trick Productions Denise O’Donoghue OBE, Community Care journalist and Mind Media Award 2014 winner Andy McNicoll and Oscar nominated screenwriter and creator of My Mad Fat Diary Tom Bidwell.
Mental health in the media Stigma