Reporters from the regional press are featured in the shortlist for the annual Mind mental health journalism awards.

The three reporters – two from weekly papers – will do battle with writers from the national press for the journalist of the year award.

Mental health charity Mind runs the awards scheme to celebrate journalism which has presented positive images of mental health, challenged stigma and discrimination and contributed to public understanding.

They are open to any journalist working in the local, national or consumer press in England and Wales.

There is also a student journalist award for anyone studying at a university in England or Wales.

The charity will also recognise a Mind Champion who has done work to promote greater understanding of mental health.

Previous winners include Frank Bruno and Stephen Fry and there is also a book of the year prize.

The awards will be presented at a ceremony in London next Thursday by the charity’s president Melvyn Bragg.

The full shortlist of candidates is:

Anne Fitzgerald, Essex Chronicle
Nadia Stone, Express and Echo (Exeter)
Dominique Taylor, Bexley Extra
Ben Goldacre, Guardian
Amelia Hill, Observer
Andrew Johnson, Independent on Sunday
Mary O’Hara, Society Guardian

The shortlisted student journalists are:

Huw Davies, Gair Rhydd, University of Cardiff
Olivia Gagan, Exeposé, University of Exeter
Sukanya Deshraj, London Student, University of London Union

The Mind Champion shortlist includes BBC home editor Mark Easton and novelist and Society Guardian columnist Clare Allen alongside five other candidates. Sunday Express editor Martin Townsend is shortlisted for the book of the year award for The Father I Had.

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