All of us at one time or another have seen something about mental illness in the media that we feel is discriminatory and unacceptable.

It could be a television or radio programme, something we’ve read in a newspaper or magazine, or an advertisement of some kind.

Why are formal complaints important?
Making a formal complaint is the best way for us, as viewers and listeners, to have our say about what we think is acceptable or not. The mass media and complaints agencies need to be kept informed about stigma and discrimination associated with mental illness. Things won’t change if no one speaks out. In the same way tobacco products, liquor and other important issues are treated seriously in the media, so too should experiences and issues associated with mental illness.

A good example of what can happen when people constructively complain was the reclassification of the movie Me, Myself & Irene from a R13 to an R15 and the removal of the slogan ‘From gentle to mental’.

Here’s proof that making formal complaints can make a difference. The more formal complaints are made to the media and complaints agencies, the more likely the media industry will treat mental illness seriously and positively.

The Constructive Complaining Resource Kit
The Like Minds project in association with the Broadcasting Standards Authority and the New Zealand Press Council have compiled a complaints procedures kit - The Constructive Complaining Resource Kit - so everyone has the opportunity to influence and inform the media about appropriate representation of people with experience of mental illness.

The Kit is available for download in the Resources/Toolkit section.

Complaint Authorities
Broadcasting Standards Authority (for complaints about television or radio)
P O Box 9213 (2nd floor, 54-56 Cambridge Tce)
Wellington
New Zealand
ph: 04 382 9508
fax: 04 382 9543
www.bsa.govt.nz

Advertising Standards Complaints Board (for complaints about any form of advertising)
The Secretary
Advertising Standards Complaints Board
P O Box 10-675
WELLINGTON
Ph: 04-472-7852
Fax: 04-471-1785

New Zealand Press Council (for complaints about newspaper or magazine content)
The Secretary
New Zealand Press Council
P O Box 1066
WELLINGTON
Ph: 04-473-5220

Dont forget, this process is free. There is no cost involved in making a complaint to either the BSA, ASCB or NZPC however you’ll have to cover the cost of posting your complaint and photocopying your files.