AddThis SmartLayers

South London Press in line for mental health reporting prize

The South London Press has been nominated for a prize at this year’s Mental Health Media Awards.

The twice-weekly title is the only regional newspaper to make the shortlist, having made the cut alongside Men’s Health magazine and Society Guardian in the print category.

The nomination is for the SLP’s campaign to save a 24-hour emergency mental health clinic.

Earlier this year editor Hannah Walker was among those to join a debate at the House of Commons on the future of the Maudsley clinic in Denmark Hill.

The clinic treats people who are suicidal or suffering a mental health crisis, and is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, but is under threat because the local NHS trust is trying to cut costs.

Hannah told MPs and campaigners that the issue had had an unparalleled response from the public and that the paper would not stop until the service was saved.

The Mental Health Media Awards, now in their 14th year, celebrate the best portrayals of mental distress and reporting of mental health issues in the media.

Winners will be announced during a ceremony on World Mental Health Day, October 10, at Bafta in London.

In addition to the print category, prizes will also be award for the best TV and radio news and factual radio programme, TV documentary, TV, drama, soap or continual drama, radio drama and young people’s media as well as a prize for raising public awareness.