3 April 2001

New service gives journalists the full story on mental health

The Media Bureau, a service launched today will respond to new research which reveals that the opinions of those who have direct experience of mental health problems are still largely excluded from newspaper stories on mental health.

Research commissioned by the Media Bureau revealed that, in local and national newspapers examined in the last two months, nearly all (93%) articles about mental health did not include the views of people who use or who have used mental health services.

Available today (April 11) from www.mhmedia.com/training/report.html the research surveyed national and regional newspaper journalists on their approach to mental health stories, and mental health service user groups in England and Wales about their involvement with local and national newspapers.

The research also revealed that although almost two thirds of journalists questioned (64%) felt that the perspective of people who had experienced of mental ill health was useful or very useful to their stories, 62% did not know who to contact for comment.

Journalists were twice as likely to contact a psychiatrists than a mental health service user when writing articles about mental health.

The Media Bureau will offer training in practical media skills to groups and individuals who have used mental health services so that they can liaise with their local media confidently and effectively. In addition, the Bureau will put journalists in contact with people they can speak to for informed comment on issues such as the Mental Health Act, Electro Convulsive Therapy (ECT) or complementary/alternative therapies.

Lionel Joyce OBE who is Chair of the charitable agency Turning Point, former Chief Executive of Newcastle City NHS Trust and who has experience of using mental health services says, 'The Media Bureau is much needed. Those of us who have experienced mental ill health are all too familiar with people talking on our behalf about what is best for us. We have become a distant and excluded part of the picture. To remove stigma and challenge the myths that surround mental illness, it is vital that our views on fundamental issues such as new legislation, discrimination and medication are at the core of news reporting.'

Ramo Kabbani who is the founder of Prozac Survivors Support Group adds, 'Contacting the media can be extremely daunting. While you are aware that you have a story that needs to be told and that the media is the best way of reaching a substantial number of people, there is the fear of being misquoted or presented in a negative light. If you have already experienced mental distress, this can be additionally traumatic. However, when I got involved with our local press, I was overwhelmed by the response. Not all my press contact been positive, but I have learnt how I can give a journalist a strong story, raise awareness of the issue and also protect myself. I am now extremely confident when it comes to getting on the phone and contacting the press.'

The Media Bureau's Web site which is online from 11 April will be a useful resource for both mental health service users and journalists. The site will include a monthly tips page for those who want to learn more about effective media liaison, a reviews page for comment on media coverage, news of events and initiatives and up to date facts and figures for journalists.

Ends


For further information, to speak to a spokesperson from the Media Bureau or for further comment from Lionel Joyce or Ramo Kabbani from Prozac Survivors Support Group, please contact Kate Summerside or Emma Stewart on 0207 700 8171.

Notes To Editors

The Media Bureau is part of Mental Health Media. Mental Health Media is a voluntary organisation which uses all media to promote understanding of mental health through the voices of people in order to reduce the discrimination and prejudice surrounding mental health and learning difficulties. Mental Health Media offers a range of video and new media training materials, provides tailored media training courses and works with journalists and broadcasters to inform their coverage of mental health stories.