Mental Health America Media Awards Recognize Outstanding Journalism

Each June at its Annual Meeting, Mental Health America (formerly the National Mental Health Association) recognizes excellence in reporting and portrayals of mental health issues from the previous year. Mental Health America encourages media professionals and student journalists to submit national, state, local and student news and feature stories in print, online and broadcast media. Details, entry forms and a full list of 2006 winners are available at www.mentalhealthamerica.net/go/media-awards. The deadline for submissions is March 31, 2007.

Entries are judged by a committee of peers selected by Mental Health America for their knowledge of mental health issues, demonstrated excellence in reporting and editorial experience. Members of last year’s awards judging committee represent reputable media outlets such as Nation’s Health, Congressional Quarterly, Voice of America and United Press International.

2006 award winners included Kim Holt of WSOC-TV in Charlotte, North Carolina for her piece "Charlotte’s Hidden Crisis," Houston Press reporter Todd Spivak for "Against All Odds," Peg Tyre of Newsweek for "Fighting Anorexia: No One To Blame" and Los Angeles Times columnist Steve Lopez for the ongoing series "Points West."

Mental Health America will notify winners by the first week in May and will honor those winners at the Media Awards luncheon on Friday, June 8, 2007, during the Mental Health America 2007 Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C. For questions or additional information, contact mediaawards@mentalhealthamerica.net.

Brainstorm Poetry Contest

Beginning January 2, 2007 until March 23, 2006, NISA will be accepting entries for its 5th Annual BrainStorm Poetry Contest. Winners will receive monetary awards of $250, $150 and $75 for first, second and third prizes, respectively, and be published in the Spring 2006 edition of NISA's psychosocial literary magazine Open Minds Quarterly.

"It's a great opportunity for NISA to fundraise for Open Minds Quarterly, but the contest also supports consumer/survivors themselves through the monetary awards and publication," says editor Dinah Laprairie. "The annual contest also means a new opportunity for a NISA member to be administrator of the contest, increasing their occupational skills and experience, one of NISA's main aims."

Individuals who have experienced mental health difficulties or mental illness are encouraged to enter the contest with their best poems. The entry fee is $10.00 for up to three poems. Entries must arrive at NISA's office with both the fee and a completed entry form.

If you want to enter the contest, simply download the entry form from http://www.nisa.on.ca/ Be sure to read the included rules and regulations to make sure your poem is eligible.

posted by j melinn