A West London weekly journalist is going head to head with writers from the national press and magazines in a mental health journalism award.

Eleanor Harding, of the Wandsworth Guardian, will do battle with hacks from the Observer, Daily Mail, Daily Mirror and Men’s Health among others for the Mind Journalist of the Year award.

Judges said of her entry: “Eleanor Harding’s work approaches even the most overlooked of mental health issues and seeks to demystify them with clear, accessible reporting on individuals’ experiences of mental distress, avoiding sensationalism and allowing us to see interviewees as everyday people.”

The annual awards, run by charity Mind, seek to celebrate journalism which has presented positive images of mental health, challenged stigma and contributed to public understanding. For the third year running Mind is also presenting an award to recognise work published in student publications.

Nottingham University’s Nicola Byron and Jennifer Nash, from the University of East London, are the two shortlisted candidates.

Mind’s Head of Media Claire Ashby said: “In the year that has seen the launch of the Time to Change anti-stigma campaign, it has been highly encouraging to see the media follow suit with an increase in sensitive and informed coverage of mental health issues.

“The scope and quality of entries has been outstanding, leading to a shortlist double the size of previous years.

“Good reporting is a reflection of increasing interest and understanding of mental health issues, and is an indication that our approach to mental health is finally changing for the better.”

The awards will be presented during Mind Week on 14 May by the charity’s president Melvyn Bragg.

The full shortlist is:

Clare Allan, Society Guardian
Carole Cadwalladr, The Observer
Patrick Cockburn, The Independent
Hannah Ebelthite, Top Sante
Daisy Greenwell, Big Issue
Eleanor Harding, Wandsworth Guardian
Amelia Hill, The Observer
Jenny Hope and Daniel Martin, Daily Mail
Caroline Jones, Daily Mirror
Nina Lakhani, The Independent on Sunday
Toby Wiseman, Men’s Health