Mental Health Media Grant recipients

MEDIA RELEASE From the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand For immediate release 8 August 2008

Like Minds, Like Mine and the Mental Health Foundation announce the 2008 New Zealand Mental Health Media Grant recipients

Like Minds, Like Mine and the Mental Health Foundation are pleased to announce the 2008 New Zealand Mental Health Media Grant recipients.

Amanda Cropp (Christchurch) is the recipient for category one (journalists). Karlo Mila (Palmerston North), Jenn Shelton (Wellington), the Silk Tent Company (Wanaka) and Kristian Lomath (Rotorua) are the recipients for category two (creative projects).

The Media Grants are administered by the Mental Health Foundation on behalf of the Like Minds, Like Mine programme and this is the second year they have run.

Fifty-eight applications were received overall - 11 applications in category one and 47 in category two.

Judi Clements, Chief Executive of the Mental Health Foundation, says the number of applications received meant the selection process was not easy - particularly for category two.

"We're delighted that more applications were received this year than in 2007," says Ms Clements, "And our panellists found that the quality of the applications was also high again.

"This made the selection process a lengthy and intense one, so our thanks to the selection panels - it was a challenging job to read through all the project proposals and come to a collective decision."

Ms Clements says the 2008 projects were picked because they all meet the goals of reducing stigma and discrimination and increasing understanding of people with experience of mental illness. Recipients will complete their projects over the next 12 months.

Amanda Cropp is developing a series of articles to raise awareness of mental health issues facing some New Zealanders.

Karlo Mila is writing a poetry book (featuring some prose) about her experience of unwellness and recovery.

Jenn Shelton will bring together talented musicians to produce a compilation album of songs drawing on their own personal experiences of mental illness.

The Silk Tent Company (Lizzi Yates, Gilly Pugh, Lucy O'Hagan) will be creating a multimedia theatre piece exploring self-harm.

And Kristian Lomath is planning an installation of original art allowing visitors a first hand experience of seclusion in it's many forms as well as his own experiences of depression, self-discovery and recovery.

"Receiving a Grant gives recipients a chance to work through their ideas about mental health, and is an opportunity to shift people's thinking about mental illness," says Ms Clements.

"Our congratulations to the 2008 recipients, we look forward to supporting their work and seeing their finished projects."

The 2009 New Zealand Mental Health Media Grants will open for applications next March.

ENDS

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