Funding open for 2010 media projects

Mental Health Foundation seeks funding for 2010 media grants

The Mental Health Foundation is looking for new partners to help bring the inspirational NZ Mental Health Media Grant projects to more New Zealanders.

Art, music, theatre, film, creative writing and journalism are all areas covered by the Media Grants over the past three years.

“So far the Media Grants have supported 15 creative and journalism projects,” says Judi Clements, Chief Executive of the Mental Health Foundation. “While each project has been an individual triumph, they have also all in their own way contributed to decreasing stigma and discrimination and raising awareness around mental illness.

“We are looking for up to $12,000 for each grant and $50,000 is required in total for the annual programme.”

Ms Clements says the Foundation would like to develop a long-term relationship with potential supporters. “Partners can rest assured that one hundred percent of any amount they provide goes directly to the grant recipient. Administration costs are covered by the Foundation.”

Current statistics indicate one in five New Zealanders will experience a mental disorder in any year. The most common are anxiety and depression.

“Grant projects have been particularly successful in challenging people’s perceptions of the experience of mental illness and the journey to recovery from these problems.”

Ms Clements says the Media Grants most recent success has been with 2007 recipient Jessica Le Bas’s collection or poetry Walking to Africa. It was launched during Mental Health Awareness Week 2009 and a week later became the number one best selling book of fiction on NZ Booksellers Nielsen BookScan. The book has been reviewed in numerous publications and Jessica has been interviewed on Good Morning and Nine to Noon.

“The Mental Health Foundation welcomes the opportunity to talk to individuals, businesses and organisations interested in partnering with us to support one or more of the grants from 2010 onwards.”

For a comprehensive history of the media grants visit www.mediagrants.org.nz

ENDS

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