Mind Media Awards 2011 shortlist announced
By Ian Birch
The X Factor’s Tulisa Contostavlos, from N-Dubz, who is a carer for her mum – who has schizoaffective disorder, and Stephen Fry, who has cyclothymic disorder, are the highest profile celebrities to feature in this year’s Mind Media Awards shortlist.
Tulisa’s personally-authored documentary, “My mum and me”, for BBC3, looked at what it’s like for the 80,000 young people who care for people with mental health problems.
Meanwhile Stephen Fry was interviewed by a prisoner at HMP Wandsworth on Radio Wanno – the only non-BBC radio station to feature in the awards.
A BBC Radio 5 Live special about the suicide of footballer Robert Enke has been nominated, along with BBC medical dramas Casualty – for a storyline in which character Ruth is sectioned and diagnosed with bipolar -- and Holby City.
New Media and newspaper/magazine journalists, such as The Guardian’s Amelia Gentleman, who has reported on issues such as stigma and benefits for people with mental health difficulties, are also nominated.
The awards, which celebrate the best portrayals of mental distress and reporting of mental health issues in the media, will be held at the British Film Institute on Monday 28 November and will be hosted by Rebecca Front.
A talented actress, writer and comedian, Rebecca is best known for her roles in The Thick of it, Grandma’s House and Just William. Earlier this year, she created a Twitter storm when she talked about her experience of mental health problems and started the successful hashtag #whatstigma. Rebecca said:
“The media is hugely influential in shaping people's opinions of mental health, for both good and ill. It's vital that we celebrate the good work that is done to challenge the stigma that sadly still exists around mental health, and I am delighted to be hosting the Mind Media Awards 2011 to do exactly this.”
The full list of nominations is:
Documentary
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Chilean miners: What happened next (BBC 2)
This film is a vivid and moving account of how three of the Chilean miners have coped with life in the media spotlight after being trapped underground for 69 days. -
Dolphin boy (More 4)
The story of a young man experiencing severe post traumatic stress disorder whose father gives up everything to help his son try dolphin-assisted therapy. -
The Wounded Platoon (BBC 2)
The Wounded Platoon is a story of heroism, grief, combat, drugs, alcohol and brutal murder, and a shocking portrait of what multiple tours and post-traumatic stress are doing to a generation of American soldiers. -
Tulisa: My mum and me (BBC 3)
Singer Tulisa Contostavlos from the band N-Dubz, is also a carer for her mum who has schizoaffective disorder. In this personal, authored documentary, Tulisa finds out what life is like for some of the 80,000 other young people in Britain caring for a parent with mental health problems. - Village of the dolls (More 4). The fascinating story of Mark Hogancamp who, brain-damaged and broke following a vicious attack, sought recovery in a second world war scale-model town he built in his garden.
Drama
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Casualty (BBC 1)
Emotional scenes as Dr Ruth Winters, played by actress Georgia Taylor, is sectioned by her colleagues. This episode shows Ruth struggling to accept her bipolar diagnosis. -
Exile (BBC 1)
Three part psychological thriller, starring John Simm and Jim Broadbent, that reminds us of how shameful and shocking mental health care was in the UK within living memory. A son returns to his hometown to reconnect with his father and learn the truth about what happened between them years before. -
Holby City (BBC 1)
The long-running hospital drama series explores mental health issues when a patient is admitted to the ward after self harming. After leaving hospital, things take a dramatic turn and Dr Cullen operates to save his life.
The Mark Hanson New Media award
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Campaign against living miserably
The campaign against living miserably, was set up in response to the high suicide rate among young men. Suicide is currently the biggest killer of men under the age of 35. The CALM website is a useful resource packed with information and advice. -
Confessions of a serial insomniac
A young woman’s blog on therapy, complex post traumatic stress disorder, major depression and social anxiety with psychotic and dissociative features. A courageous and very personal account that pulls no punches. -
Dawn Willis - Sharing the news and views of the mentally wealthy
Mental health campaigner Dawn Willis shares her experiences of bipolar disorder in her insightful and entertaining blog. She commentates on everything from mental health in prisons to celebrity big brother. -
Super me
Super me is a web game that helps users be better at life. It's about resilience: how to feel good when life chucks you lemons. How to be better at thinking positively. How to cope with, and learn to love, failure. -
You Tube: Trichotillomania
Rebecca Brown’s video diaries where she discusses her experience of trichotillomania, an impulse control disorder that causes her to pull out her own hair.
News and current affairs sponsored by Samaritans
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BBC Radio 1 Newsbeat: Access to talking treatments
This investigation by Newsbeat reveals that some people with a mental health problem are having to wait up to three years to talk to a counsellor, depending on where they live. -
BBC Radio 4 The Today programme: Inside Broadmoor
Today’s science correspondent Tom Feilden is granted unprecedented access to Broadmoor Hospital in this three-part feature that explores life in a high-security psychiatric hospital. -
BBC Radio 4 You & Yours: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing
Radio 4's flagship consumer programme investigates Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, a new treatment approved for addressing Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. -
BBC Radio 5 Live Victoria Derbyshire: Alcoholic GP
Victoria Derbyshire interviews a GP with an alcohol problem in this compelling and moving feature. She speaks frankly about her addiction on the day she's about to enter a rehabilitation centre.
Speech radio
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BBC Radio 1: Surgery with Aled
The Radio 1 Surgery answers questions on mental health in a frank, cutting edge discussion aimed at a youth audience. -
BBC Radio 4 - Jon Ronson...voices in the head
Writer and documentary maker Jon Ronson speaks to Eleanor Longden (mp3), a high achieving academic who hears voices. She rejects the label schizophrenic and happily lives with the voices in her life. -
BBC Radio 4: Mentally ill and refusing surgery
Joan Bakewell is joined by a panel of experts to discuss the real life case of John who needs a life-saving operation, but is refusing it. He is experiencing psychosis and believes the operation is a ploy to kill him. Inside the Ethics Committee looks at the complex issues arising from this case. -
BBC Radio 5 Live: Robert Enke a life too short
Eleanor Olyroyd hosts a 5live Sport Special a year on from the tragic suicide of Germany goalkeeper Robert Enke. Eleanor visits Enke's home town to speak to the people who knew him best and looks at a story that stunned Germany. -
Radio Wanno: Interview with Stephen Fry
A prisoner at HMP Wandsworth interviews Stephen Fry for this unique community radio station. They discuss the shared experience of coping with mental health problems, prison and the power of reading.
Journalist of the year sponsored by Axa
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Carolyn Atkinson: BBC Radio 4 You & Yours
Dispassionate and sensitive reporting from the You & Yours reporter. Carolyn presents listeners with an insight into crisis mental healthcare and new and unusual treatments for PTSD. -
Catherine Bennion-Pedley: Company magazine
Catherine has shown an enduring commitment to championing mental health issues in Company magazine. Her coverage on living with depression triggered a huge response from readers. -
Amelia Gentleman: The Guardian
The Guardian Social Affairs correspondent writes eloquently on a range of issues affecting people with mental health problems, from the impact of changes to the benefits system to inconsistencies in the justice system. -
Claudia Hammond: BBC Radio 4 All in the Mind
Claudia covers a broad range of issues on her entertaining and enlightening programmes appealing to those with and without expertise or experiences in mental health. Her coverage is consistently good, compassionate, authoritative and informative. -
Mark Rice-Oxley: The Guardian
In his two articles about his own experience of depression, Mark gives a powerful, touching and humorous personal testimony. His work challenges stereotypes about mental health problems and inspires readers.
Student journalist of the year
- Jemma Coburn: Mental health - an investigation into discrimination (University of Lincoln). A short film looking at the difficulties that young people with mental health problems face when it comes to dating and relationships.
- Dave Jackson: The hidden clique (University of Nottingham). University life and loneliness is not often discussed but is experienced by lots of students every year as they adjust to life away from home. Dave Jackson raises awareness of this issue in his well written and honest article.
- Joshua Jackson: Suffering in silence (University of Lincoln). A moving and impactful film exploring a young man’s response to his depression and the experiences of those around him.
A further two awards will also be presented at the ceremony:
- Speaking out sponsored by Comic Relief. Presented to an individual who has experienced mental distress, for their inspirational contribution to at least one of the short-listed entries.
- Making a difference sponsored by Euro RSCG. Presented to a broadcaster or individual whose innovative and sensitive work on mental health problems has made a genuine impact. The award is for those who set the agenda and initiate change.
To link to these programmes and to learn more please go to the Mind charity award site here
