New Zealand Carter Center Fellows 2002-2003. Front row: Dr Raymond Nairn (NZ's International Advisor), Mrs Rosalynn Carter, Todd Kriebel. Second row: Lauren McKenzie and Noel O'Hare. Third row: Jim Chipp , Alex Spence and Gerard Vaughan
History
The New Zealand Mental Health Media Grants were initiated in 2007 as a partnership between the Ministry of Health's Like Minds, Like Mine programme and the Mental Health Foundation.
Developed and administered by the Mental Health Foundation, the grants are a progression from the former Rosalynn Carter Fellowships for Mental Health Journalism New Zealand.
From 2001 - 2005, the US programme awarded two $12,000 fellowships each year to successful New Zealand journalists to assist them in completing mental health media projects. (See details below)
The NZ Fellowships concluded in 2006, allowing the Carter Foundation to offer fellowships in another country.
"The Carter Center has left us with a wonderful group of talented journalists who have now had the experience of researching mental health issue with a focus on producing balanced and non-discriminatory stories." ~ Gerard Vaughan, former Like Minds, Like Mine, National Programme Manager
The Rosalynn Carter Fellowships for Mental Health Journalism New Zealand
In 2001 New Zealand was one of the first countries outside of the United States invited to participate in the Rosalynn Carter Fellowships for Mental Health Journalism.
The fellowships are administered by the Carter Center in Atlanta, Georgia and were established by Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter in 1991 as part of the Carter Center's Mental Health Program
Over the 5 years the fellowships ran in New Zealand, 10 fellowships were awarded. Positive aspects of the fellowships for New Zealand journalists included the opportunity to make international contacts, and building contacts within the New Zealand mental health community.
The New Zealand Carter Center Fellows
2001/2002: John Francis and Mike Gourley
2002/2003: Lauren McKenzie and Jim Chipp
2003/2004: Noel O'Hare and Alex Spence
2004/2005: Paul Diamond and Jim Marbrook
2005/2006: Ingrid Leary and Phil Smith
John Francis
Founder and Publisher of Tearaway Magazine, Wanganui
Topic: Youth and mental health issues, a series published in Tearaway
1 Aug 2004: My Illness is Just A Small Part of Me
1 Oct 2004: You're Not Alone
1 Nov 2004: How Much Did I Win? How Much Did I LOSE!?
1 May 2005: Running on Empty: Eating Disorders
1 June 2006: Giving Bullies the Shove
Mike Gourley
Freelance Producer, Radio New Zealand and Long White Cloud Productions, Wellington
TOPIC: Relationships between media portrayal of mental illness issues and perception
9 Dec 2002: Too Good An Opportunity To Be Missed
Lauren McKenzie
Journalist, Television New Zealand, Christchurch
TOPIC: A 3-part documentary looking at the human face of workplace stress
6 Sept 2004: Seriously Stressed (Southern Screen Productions and TVNZ)
Jim Chipp
Photojournalist, Capital Community Newspapers, Ltd, Lower Hutt
TOPIC: The difficulties and special skills needed to deliver mental health services to a multi-ethnic population, published in Capital Community Newspapers Ltd
23 Apr 2003: Improving Maori Mental Health
30 Apr 2003: Killer's Right to Privacy Fuels Public Fear of Mental Patients
5 May 2003: Closing Down Could Be The Museum's Saviour
15 May 2003: A Tale from Bastion Point
15 May 2003: Museum Friends Seek Te Papa Lifeline
17 June 2003: Parents Aren't Prisoners
7 Sept 2003: Trying to Tackle Mental Health
Noel O'Hare
Freelance Journalist, Wellington
TOPIC: Publish stories that consider issue affecting the mental health of migrants in New Zealand, published in the NZ Listener.
24 Apr 2004: Sticks and Stones
22 May 2004: Put Yourself in My Shoes
19 June 2004: Happiness is...
28 Aug 2004: The Unfriendly Isles
4 Sept 2004: Sticky Labels
Alex Spence
Freelance Journalist, Auckland
TOPIC: An in-depth series of feature articles investigating the relationship between mental illnesses and poverty in New Zealand.
24 Jul 2004: The Job Cure (NZ Listener)
1 Aug 2004: The Crown Prince (Metro)
24 Oct 2004: It's All in Your Head (Sunday Star Times)
Paul Diamond
Producer, Radio New Zealand, Wellington
TOPIC: Look at Maori-based initiatives aimed at improving Maori mental health.
14 Aug 2005: One in Five (Radio New Zealand)
25 Sept 2005: Whai Ora: Maori Culture and Mental Health (Radio New Zealand)
2 Nov 2005: Whai Ora: Anei Matou (Here we are) - Te Heteri (Maori Television)
Jim Marbrook
Producer, Director and Writer, Auckland
TOPIC: Explore the role of Maori culture in healing and wellness
1 Oct 2004: Awa Hikoi - The River Journey (TVNZ)
4 Oct 2006: Ko Whanganui Te Awa: From the River (TVNZ)
Ingrid Leary
Freelance Reporter and Producer, TV3 News, Auckland
TOPIC: Research, write, produce and direct a series of news features on living with mental illnesses in New Zealand and neighbouring Pacific countries.
Phil Smith
Executive Producer, Spoken Features, Radio New Zealand, Wellington
TOPIC: Explore the political, media and social factors contributing to the popular fallacy that people with mental illnesses are dangerous and violent. Investigate the impact of public fear on people experiencing mental illnesses and on health care practice, particularly within New Zealand prisons.
