Winners of the Pfizer Mental Health Journalism Awards 2013

This year for the first time, as well as the two awards for print journalism, there is a third award for electronic media.

Print

Theresa Taylor, journalist at The Star Newspaper whose project will centre around the services available to psychologically traumatised children in care will be looking at access to services for mentally ill people in townships and rural areas. With a Masters degree in science journalism she will also pursue her passion in the field of research in psychology in South Africa.

Vicus Bürger, deputy news editor and senior journalist at Volksblad newspaper in Bloemfontein, who through his weekly column 'Dis my lewe' wants to help break the stigma around mental health. By telling mental health illness sufferers' stories through their voices he hopes to make a change in the lives of others.

Electronic media

Lloyd Paul, journalist and presenter for SABC, who already has a one hour talk show on SABC radio, Mental Health Mondays, which he's presented for the last six months, reaches not only a national audience, but also through audio streaming, an international one. Through his programme he not only educates people about mental health but offers them a chance to participate in discussions and source much needed help.

Each journalist will receive R25,000 to assist in their research and work on developing these stories.

Journalists were invited to enter this competition, submitting examples of previous work together with a proposal for a project during their Award year. This year we had 10 very strong entries which were scrutinised by a very strong judging panel made up of:
Zane Wilson - head and founder of SADAG (South African Depression and Anxiety Group)
Sonya Naude, health journalist and former editor of Longevity Magazine
Dr Thabo Rangake, Psychiatrist
Marion Scher, journalist and former Carter Fellow for mental health journalism.

The winners were selected for their strong entries and the reach of their projects - which will go a long way in breaking down the stigma of this illness.

"We are very honoured to once again sponsor this hugely important initiative as mental illness is an extremely debilitating disease which sometimes is difficult to diagnose. Given the role of the media in driving healthcare awareness, Pfizer chose to focus on the media in order to recognise their contribution in driving awareness, therefore this award is to intended to recognise them and the work they do in this area.