News

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.

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Media enquiries to:
Cate Hennessy
DDI: (09) 636 5624
Mob: 021 687 426
Email: cate@onceuponatime.co.nz

4 July 2008
2007 NZ Mental Health Media Grant recipient Jo Randerson's art exhibition opens

This weekend marks the completion of the first NZ Mental Health Media Grant project, which is administered by the Mental Health Foundation on behalf of the Like Minds Like Mine programme*.

Jo Randerson, a recipient of the inaugural 2007 Media Grants, is curator of a new art exhibition opening at TheNewDowse in Lower Hutt, Wellington.

The exhibition, My House Surrounded by a Thousand Suns, runs for four months from 5 July to 26 October and celebrates the work of artists with experience of mental illness and intellectual disability.

Jo says the idea for the project was inspired by a trip to Belgium's Guislain Museum in Gent in 2006.

"The museum featured a fantastic selection of work by artists [the museum describes as being] in alternative mental states.

"I loved the energy, direct communication and complete individuality that comes through work by outsider artists - it's so honest and uncensored and no-one else creates anything like it."

On her return, Jo applied and received a Media Grant to bring this experience to a New Zealand audience.

"Working with the 16 artists represented in this exhibition has been very liberating for my own work," she says.  "I hope that everyone who sees the exhibition will be similarly inspired."

Judi Clements, Mental Health Foundation Chief Executive says, "It's exciting to see that one of our 2007 recipients has completed her project and that it is accessible to the public.

"Jo's worked hard to pull together all the elements of what is an exceptionally interesting exhibition with a group of local artists who have unique insights and experiences to share.

"The Mental Health Foundation hopes this will prove to be another way of breaking down the stigma and discrimination that still surrounds people with experience of mental illness and is proud to support Jo's work as part of the Media Grants programme."

Jo believes people will be invigorated by the art in the exhibition and the floor talk and panel discussion planned over the next two months.

"I also hope audiences will think about alternative mental states as being on a continuum and not regard people as being 'either mentally ill or not'. We are a diverse society full of many wonderful and unique characters, and our communities work well when we embrace and value our differences."

This exhibition is supported by TheNewDowse gallery and Arts Access Aotearoa.

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* The Mental Health Foundation administers aspects of the Like Minds, Like Mine programme on behalf of the Ministry of Health.

For more information or contact details, please contact:
Cate Hennessy
DDI: (09) 636 5624
Mob: 021 687 426
Email: cate@onceuponatime.co.nz

Associated Events
Floor talk with Jo Randerson
Saturday 12 July, 2pm FREE

Join award winning author, playwright and curator Jo Randerson in conversation with Wendy Randall and Matthew Squire, two artists whose work is featured in the exhibition. Meet in the gallery.

Panel Discussion facilitated by curator, Jo Randerson
Sunday 3 August, 2pm FREE
With Amy Szostak (artist), Glen McDonald (Vincent's Co-ordinator), Marianne Taylor (Arts Access Aotearoa), and Stuart Shepherd (School of Fine Arts, Massey)

So what does the term 'outsider art' really mean? This informal panel discussion will look at the connection between creativity and mental illness, the important role our community organisations and spaces play in fostering creative talent and expression, and the status and increasing international interest in the work of New Zealand's outsider artists... and whether the term 'outsider' is still relevant?

30 June 2008
Jo Randerson interviewed by Kim Hill

Jo Randerson, one of our 2007 media grant recipients was interviewed by Kim Hill on Saturday Morning (28 June, 2008). If you are interested in listening to her interview, please click here and download the podcast.

3 March 2008
Applications for the 2008 New Zealand Mental Health Media Grants opened 1 March

The New Zealand Mental Health Media Grants, launched last year, opened for 2008 applications on 1 March and look for proposals that will help reduce stigma and discrimination by informing the public about mental health issues and experiences.

The Media Grants offer a total grant pool of $50,000 across two categories (journalism and creative) with grants of up to $12,000 for each project. They are administered by the Mental Health Foundation and funded as part of the Like Minds, Like Mine programme.

In 2007, the Media Grants attracted 12 journalism applications and 30 creative applications.

Four recipients were chosen – Halina Ogonowska-Coates (journalism) and Jessica Le Bas, Jo Randerson and Debbie Hager (creative). All are currently completing their projects.

Halina believes there is potential for journalists to improve the public's understanding of mental health issues "and to play a critical role in reducing stigma and discrimination against people with mental illness."

Jo was interested in the focus of the grants because she sees society as diverse and full of wonderful and unique characters. "Our communities work well when we embrace our differences and don't separate each other into binary groups," she says.

Judi Clements, Chief Executive of the Mental Health Foundation says, "The 2007 recipients are very talented individuals, and we are looking forward to seeing their finished projects.

"We encourage all journalists, creative professionals or community groups who have a project idea that promotes positive messages about mental health to apply for a 2008 grant.

"Receiving a grant gives recipients a chance to discuss and work through ideas around mental health issues, and is an opportunity to shift people's thinking about mental illness and help break down the barriers of stigma and discrimination."

Applications for the Media Grants open on 1 March and close 30 May 2008.

For more information, please contact the Mental Health Foundation, ph: (09) 300 7010, email: info@mediagrants.org.nz or visit website: www.mediagrants.org.nz

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10 January 2008
Jo Randerson Interview on Radio NZ

Jo Randerson, one of our 2007 recipients was recently interviewed on Radio NZ as Todd Niall's special guest on Rainy Day at the Bach (10 January, 2008). To listen to her interview, go to http://podcast.radionz.co.nz/srpt/srpt-20080110-0740-Rainy_Day_at_the_Bach-048.mp3 and download the podcast.

15 August 2007
New Zealand Mental Health Media Grants 2007 - Inaugural Recipients Named

The Mental Health Foundation is pleased to announce that Halina Ogonowska-Coates (Christchurch), Jessica Le Bas (Nelson), Jo Randerson (Wellington) and Debbie Hager (Auckland) are the first four recipients of the inaugural New Zealand Mental Health Media Grants.

These Media Grants replace the Carter Center Fellowships offered to journalists in New Zealand from 2001 to 2005/6 and are part of the Like Minds, Like Mine campaign, which is managed by the Foundation on behalf of the Ministry of Health.

Halina was the recipient in category one: media professionals and Jessica, Jo and Debbie were recipients in category two: creative media projects.

Forty-two applications were received overall - 12 applications in category one and 30 in category two.

"The number and quality of the applications was high," says Judi Clements, Chief Executive of the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand. "This made the selection process a lengthy and intense one - particularly for category two."

Ms Clements says that the projects picked all meet the goals of reducing stigma and discrimination and increasing understanding of people with experience of mental illness.

Halina Ognowska-Coates is producing a radio documentary; Jessica Le Bas is completing a collection of poetry; Jo Randerson is developing an art exhibition; and Debbie Hagar is creating a film documentary.

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

"Our congratulations to the 2007 recipients, we look forward to supporting their work and seeing their finished projects.

"Also, our thanks to the selection panels - it was a challenging job to read through all the applications and come to a collective decision."

With the support of the Grant, the recipients will complete their projects over the next 12 months. The 2008 New Zealand Mental Health Media Grants will open for applications next March.

Media enquiries to: Cate Hennessy, mobile: 021 687 426 or email: cate@onceuponatime.co.nz

11 June 2007
NZ Mental Health Media Grants close in two days

The deadline for applications for the NZ Mental Health Media Grants is 5pm, Wednesday 13 June. Interested applicants are urged to send their application in, on or before this deadline.

The grants accept project proposals in one of two categories. Category one is for media professionals and category two is for creative media projects. There is a total grant pool of $50,000 and grants of up to $12,000 in each category. Projects should be relevant to mental health and be able to reduce stigma and discrimination and increase understanding and support for people with experience of mental illness.

For more information about the NZ Mental Health Media Grants visit their website www.mediagrants.org.nz or email info@mediagrants.org.nz

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For more information, please contact Cate Hennessy on Ph: (09) 636 5624 or 021 687 426.

23 May 2007
NZ Mental Health Media Grants announces an extension

The new NZ Mental Health Media Grants programme launched in March by the Mental Health Foundation and Like Minds Like Mine has extended its closing deadline by two weeks to encourage more interested applicants.

"Over the past couple of weeks we have received a large amount of interest from individuals who want to apply for a grant, but who thought they would be unable to submit their application by our original deadline," said Judi Clements, Chief Executive of the Mental Health Foundation.

"We do not want the current deadline of 31 May to dissuade interested media professionals and others in our community from applying."

The new deadline is 5pm, Wednesday 13 June, 2007.

The Mental Health Media Grants have been established to replace the Carter Centre Fellowships offered to journalists in New Zealand from 2001 - 2006.

Through the media grants the Mental Health Foundation and Like Minds want to encourage the development of projects that promote positive messages about mental health, and give recipients a chance to discuss, debate and work through their ideas about mental health issues, whilst providing an opportunity to shift people's thinking about mental illness.

The New Zealand Mental Health Media Grants offer a total grant pool of $50,000 with grants of up to $12,000 in each category;

• Category one: media professionals (print, radio and TV journalists, photo-journalists, freelance writers, documentary film makers).
• Category two: creative media projects (artists, writers, musicians, community groups and those with an interest in mental health).

For more information, please contact: Mental Health Foundation ph: (09) 300 7010, email: info@mediagrants.org.nz or visit the website: www.mediagrants.org.nz

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Please contact Hayley Callard, Senior Communications Officer, Mental Health Foundation on Ph: (09) 300 7028 or Mob: 021 918 220 or email: hayley@mentalhealth.org.nz

6 March 2007
Inaugural NZ Mental Health Media Grants launched today

The Mental Health Foundation and Like Minds Like Mine launched a new media grants programme today to replace the Carter Center Fellowships offered to journalists in New Zealand from 2001 to 2005/6.

The New Zealand Mental Health Media Grants offer a total grant pool of $50,000 with grants of up to $12,000 in each category;

Category one: media professionals (print, radio and TV journalists, photo-journalists, freelance writers, documentary film makers).

Category two: creative media projects (artists, writers, musicians, community groups and those with an interest in mental health).

Judi Clements, CEO of the Mental Health Foundation says, "We're very much looking forward to offering the NZ Mental Health Media Grants to the media community and also extending the Grants to individuals and groups for development of projects that promote positive messages about mental health."

She says the Mental Health Foundation is looking forward to establishing and administrating a New Zealand-based Grants programme.

"Receiving a Grant gives recipients a chance to discuss, debate and work through their ideas about mental health issues and an opportunity to shift people's thinking about mental illness.

"These Grants, like the Carter Center Fellowships before them, produce projects that can connect the voices of people with experience of mental illness with the wider world.

"Once the connections are made, there is every hope that the levels of stigma and discrimination will continue to diminish as people's voices are heard."

Applications for the Grants are open now and close 31 May 2007.

For more information, please contact: Mental Health Foundation ph: (09) 300 7010, email: info@mediagrants.org.nz or visit website: www.mediagrants.org.nz

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Please contact Alex Stone, Marketing and Communications Manager, Mental Health Foundation on Ph: (09) 300 7025 or Mob: 021 300 594 or email: alex@mentalhealth.org.nz

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