Mental Health Journalism Fellows Break Down Walls
of Discrimination, Stereotypes

Sept. 20, 2004

Although it impacts almost every family in the world, mental illness remains one of the least discussed--and most misunderstood--medical conditions. Stereotypes and misinformation have driven both public perception and governmental inaction, fueling the stigma and discrimination experienced by the mentally ill and those closest to them.

To counter the lack of accurate information and to bring topics of mental illness and mental health into the mainstream, the Rosalynn Carter Fellowships for Mental Health Journalism were launched in 1996. A natural outgrowth of Mrs. Carter's leadership and advocacy in the mental health field for more than three decades, the program fills a critical niche in accurate reporting on mental health issues.

During the last seven years, the 58 fellows--print and broadcast journalists--have produced documentaries, radio series, television news stories, published books, and written magazine and newspaper articles that have helped shape public understanding about mental health issues.

The fellowships were available only to U.S. journalists until 2001, when two fellows from New Zealand were added. With the addition of two South Africans to the current class, the first to be selected from that country, both the diversity of the group and the impact of their work is expanded significantly.

"We have looked forward to the expansion of the journalism fellowships to South Africa," said Dr. Thom Bornemann, director of the Carter Center's Mental Health Program. "It is interesting and instructional to see the variety of project topics from the three countries' journalists and how they reflect the different mental health situations in their respective countries.

"Fellowship projects have varied from exploring how mental illnesses are being treated under the Americans With Disabilities Act in the United States to considering issues affecting the mental health of migrants in New Zealand, and to the mental health effects of HIV/AIDS in South Africa. The fellows not only educate their audiences with the words and pictures they convey, but they also obtain valuable learning experiences that influence the rest of their careers," he added.

During the fellowship year, each recipient is matched with a journalism fellowship Advisory Board member who helps guide the design and content of the project. In addition to the stipend, fellows receive two expense-paid trips to The Carter Center--the first at the beginning and the second at the end of the fellowship year--in September.

The projects--exploring topics such as cultural barriers to seeking mental health care and how to overcome them, the needs of people with mental illnesses in rural communities, an exploration of the causes of suicide and its prevention, children with mental illness and the impact on families and schools, and the relationship between mental illness, homelessness, and addiction--have increasingly reached wider audiences via news outlets with national distribution, including PBS and The Washington Post.

Projects also receive strong local exposure: a documentary on suicide was used to train police officers; a television affiliate sponsored a Web-chat on teens and alcohol abuse; screenings of one film, held in hospitals, art galleries, book stores, and convention centers, were viewed by more than 2,000 people who participated in discussions afterwards.

According to Dr. Bornemann, the fellows' work also has influenced mental health care legislation in the United States.

"Robert Landauer, a 2000-2001 fellow, covered mental health issues for The Oregonian that contributed to increased public support for reform of the state's mental health service delivery system," he said. "The nine-part report on rural mental health care written by Pat Bellinghausen, a 1999-2000 fellow, was distributed to state lawmakers, health care leaders, mental health advocates, and clients throughout Montana."

The journalists and their projects also have an influence on their peers.

"Several fellows said they have become widely used resources within their media outlet for mental health reporting and routinely share their projects and information about mental health reporting," Dr. Bornemann said. "They frequently respond to questions posed by their colleagues, provide advice on media projects related to mental health issues, and share their contacts and access to mental health networks."

As the program has grown from the initial group of five to the current class of 10 fellows, so has the number of applicants.

"The pool continues to expand each year, with proposals from high-caliber professionals who want to explore timely, intriguing topics related to mental health," Dr. Bornemann said. "The application process has become highly competitive, with more than 100 applicants for six domestic (U.S.) slots."

Future plans for the journalism fellowship program include bringing past and current fellows together for a large-scale event that will capitalize on their experiences and "leverage the opportunity to train other journalists," he said.

As the program, and its influence, continues to expand, the initial goal is becoming reality.

"We are well on our way to developing the cadre of journalists that we have envisioned for some time," Dr. Bornemann said.

Learn more about the Carter Center's Mental Health Program

• Rosalynn Carter's Leadership
• The Rosalynn Carter Fellowships For Mental Health Journalism
• 2004-2005 Rosalynn Carter Mental Health Journalism Fellows
• Mental Health Journalism Archives
• Mental Health Fellowship Advisory Board
• Mental Health Program

Projects: Rosalynn Carter
Mental Health Journalism Fellows

Click here for archives of news stories, magazine articles, and other projects completed by the Center's journalism fellows.