The Mental Health Foundation announces 2010 New Zealand Mental Health Media Grant recipients
Media Release
16 November
The Mental Health Foundation and the Ministry of Health’s Like Minds, Like Mine programme are pleased to announce the 2010 New Zealand Mental Health Media Grant recipients.
Six people have been named as recipients this year: Aaron Smale (Levin), Dylan Keys (Tauranga), Georgie Tutt (Tauranga), Patricia Deavoll (Christchurch), Robert Mokaraka (Auckland) and Helena Chan (Auckland).
Thirty-eight applications were received overall - 13 were for journalism projects and 25 were for creative projects.
Judi Clements, Chief Executive of the Mental Health Foundation, says the media grant selection process has become increasingly encouraging and challenging.
“Each year the quality of the applications has been higher and the focus of the projects always holds interest,” she says.
“This combined with the reduced funding we had available to allocate, meant the selection panel found this year’s process particularly intense - our thanks to them for coming to a collective decision.”
Ms Clements says the 2010 recipients will complete their projects over the next 12 months.
Aaron Smale is developing a feature article about an issue that has affected the mental health of a significant number of New Zealanders.
Dylan Keys is working on an art exhibition exploring the links between alcohol abuse and experiences of depression, anxiety and phobia, drawing inspiration from his personal experience.
Patricia Deavoll is writing a book about her experience of depression and the role her career in mountaineering has played in managing her mental distress.
Helena Chan is creating a website that will bring together stories about personal experiences of psychosis and make them available to individuals and families interested in learning about how people have met the challenge of living with, and recovering from, a mental illness.
Robert Mokaraka will be creating a one-man theatre show exploring his personal experience of depression, using comedy and pathos to entertain and enlighten.
And Georgie Tutt is planning to publish an e-book of stories about peoples’ experience living with and managing bi-polar affective disorder. The book partners with her printed collection, Caught Between Sunshine and Shadow.
“Receiving a Grant gives recipients a chance to work through their ideas about mental health, and help shift peoples’ thinking about mental illness,” says Ms Clements. “These projects will be valuable resources in increasing peoples’ understanding about mental distress.”
“Our congratulations to the 2010 recipients, we look forward to supporting their work and seeing their finished projects.”
Media enquiries:
Paula Taylor, Communications and Marketing Manager, Mental Health Foundation
Ph: 09 300 7025
Mob: 021 300 594
Email: paula "at" mentalhealth.org.nz
OR Cate Hennessy
Ph: 09 636 5624
Mob: 021 687 426
Email: cate "at" onceuponatime.co.nz
