Pittsburgh, PA (PRWEB) October 28, 2011
WTAE-TV, WPXI-TV/PCNC, WQED, Mercy Behavioral Health, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Pittsburgh Quarterly, and KDKA Radio are among the nominees for the Inaugural SWPA Media and Mental Health Awards. The SWPA Media and Mental Health Awards, which are produced by the Entertainment Industries Council, Inc. (EIC) in collaboration with the Staunton Farm Foundation, honor print, online, TV and radio media coverage that accurately report on and depict mental health issues. This year?s ceremony, which is set for November 10, 2011, will take place at the Sheraton Station Square.
?This event is the culmination of two years of bridge-building in Southwestern Pennsylvania between the Pittsburgh media and mental health advocates,? said Susan Brozek Scott, Pittsburgh Regional Director for EIC. ?It says to journalists that their work to produce high-quality, accurate stories about mental illness is truly valued and recognized. And it says to people in our communities who have a mental health diagnosis that our region is standing by you, we applaud your efforts in treatment and recovery, and we are fully committed to working together to remove barriers and celebrate hope.?
?Our work in SWPA to elevate media awareness about behavioral health in storytelling is serving as a national model that demonstrates the value in accuracy and reporting on health concerns,? said Brian Dyak, EIC President, CEO and Co-Founder. ?The Media and Mental Health nominees should take great pride in the fact that their efforts are changing attitudes by facing the reality that many mental health challenges are surmountable.?
?The Staunton Farm Foundation is pleased to support and encourage accurate depictions in media about behavioral health issues that are often misunderstood by the public,? said Joni Schwager, Executive Director of the Staunton Farm Foundation. ?The media is the cornerstone as to how the public gets much of its health information. Journalists, news writers, reporters, and entertainment producers are critical to helping the public better grasp the dimensions of mental illness and the hope that our families, coworkers, and communities can foster.?
WTAE-TV received five nominations across two categories, the most of any local electronic news outlet nominated in the Media and Mental Health Awards. In the TV News Series category, Michelle Wright, Mike Lazorko, Tim Lohle and Terry Connell are nominated for ?The Impact of Mental Illness in Pittsburgh and the Hope of Recovery.? For the category TV News Segment, WTAE- TV?s nominated segments include:
?Family Of Alleged Priest Abuse,” “Victim Rallies Against Lawsuit Dismissal,? ?Pittsburgh Diocese Sued Over Alleged Abuse Victim?s Suicide,? ?Jennifer?s Law Would Honor Greensburg Victim, Make Witnesses Report Crime,? and ?Doctor: Pittsburgh Police Murder Suspect Doesn?t Seem Insane.?
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.