The Media Handbook
The Media Handbook has been developed as a resource for journalists and sub-editors reporting on mental illness. It provides general information and discusses some key issues for reporting on mental illness and interviewing people with experience of mental illness. It lists mental health organisations that can provide background and comment, and contains a glossary of terms.

This handbook aims to:

• Encourage better reporting that avoids stereotypes and myths about mental illness;
• Highlight for media professionals their ability to influence, in positive ways, community knowledge and attitudes toward mental illness;
• Raise media awareness by providing an overview of the general facts on mental illness and information about specific disorders; and
• Provide suggested approaches and strategies to media professionals for reporting on mental health issues.

The Media Handbook is free to media professionals. To download a PDF order form, >> click here.

"There is perhaps no other group of fellow citizens who are so casually maligned, especially as the reality of life with a long term or serious mental illness is more often characterised by poverty, victimisation, and mudanity than by extreme or bizarre behaviour. People with mental illness are many times more likely to be victims of violence themselves than to commit it. We have a collective duty to reflect on these facts and to try at least to be accurate about mental illness, and not to exploit it for sensation."

Patrick Smellie, National Affairs Editor, Sunday-Star Times and Harkness Fellow 1997-98.

Carter Centre Fellowships
In 2001, The Carter Center launched this international programme in New Zealand, in recognition of the impact of the Like Minds, Like Mine project

The Rosalynn Carter Fellowships for Mental Health Journalism are offered annually. Six are awarded in the journalists in the United States, two in select countries in Southern Africa and two in New Zealand.

The project aims to enhance public understanding of mental health issues and address stigma and discrimination against people with experience of mental illness.

The fellowships foster the development of better-informed journalists; encourage more accurate and expert reporting on mental health issues; and improve the depth and quality of mental health reporting in New Zealand.

Within the fellowship programme there is a commitment to encouraging and supporting the development of a strong culture of research journalism in New Zealand.

If you or someone you know is interested in submitting an application for the 2005-2006 Fellowhips, download the brochures or contact Verona Putaranui at Huia Communications for the brochures to be sent out to you (04) 494 2494.

New Zealand brochure (500kb)
American brochure (300kb)

For more information, please visit The Carter Center website.