Mental Health America Media Awards To Honor Excellence In Mental Health Journalism

  Deadline for Submissions is March 31

Contact: Steve Vetzner, (703) 797-2588 or svetzner@mentalhealthamerica.net

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (February 3, 2009)-Each June at its Annual Meeting, Mental Health America 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, including categories, entry forms and a full list of 2008 winners are available at www.mentalhealthamerica.net/go/media-awards.  The deadline for submissions is March 31, 2009.

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 represented such reputable media outlets as Nation's Health, Voice of America, National Journal, CNN, and U.S. News and World Report.

The 2008 award winners included Elizabeth Bernstein and John Blanton of the Wall Street Journal, Joshua Kors of The Nation, Alan Judd and Andy Miller of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Mary K. Reinhart and Patti Epler of the East Valley Tribune, David France of Ladies' Home Journal and Arun Venugopal of WNYC Radio.

Mental Health America will notify winners in the first week in May and will honor them at a Media Awards luncheon on Saturday, June 13, 2009, at Mental Health America's Centennial Conference in Washington, D.C.  For questions or additional information, contact mediaawards@mentalhealthamerica.net.