THE ROSALYNN CARTER FELLOWSHIPS FOR

Mental Health JournalismTHE ROSALYNN CARTER FELLOWSHIPS FOR

Mental Health JournalismTHE ROSALYNN CARTER FELLOWSHIPS FOR

Mental Health Journalism2006–20072006–2007

“There is tremendous potential for journalists toimprove the public’s under-standing of mental healthissues and to play a criticalrole in reducing stigma anddiscrimination against peoplewith mental illnesses.”

—Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter

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Helen Demeranville and Carl Ginsburg, freelancedocumentary producersand 2000-2001 RosalynnCarter fellows.

Rosalynn Carter has been a visible, activeleader in the mental health field for more than 30 years. During the Carter presidential

administration, she served as honorary chair of thePresident’s Commission on Mental Health from1977-1978. Upon returning to Georgia in 1981,Mrs. Carter collaborated with the Emory UniversityDepartment of Psychiatry to pursue her ongoinginterest in mental health. In 1985, they organizedthe Rosalynn Carter Symposium on Mental HealthPolicy. Each year, this event brings together nationalleaders in the mental health community to examinean issue of common concern.

With the inception of the Rosalynn CarterFellowships for Mental Health Journalism in 1996,Mrs. Carter launched one of the most successfulnational programs to address the stigma associatedwith mental illnesses. Mrs. Carter also has been the driving force behind the Carter Center MentalHealth Task Force, which provides continuitybetween the annual symposia and guides the activities of the Mental Health Program staff.

Rosalynn Carter’s Role WithMental Health Issues

Front Cover: Gail Fisher, 2003–2004 fellow and senior photo editor for theLos Angeles Times. Photo by Frank Orr/Los Angeles Times.

Mental illnesses constitute some of the most serious, unrecognized, under-reported health problems in the United States. Despite the current healthcare “revolution,” mental health issues often remain shrouded in myth ormystery, perpetuating stigma and discrimination against people with mentalillnesses, their families, and the professionals who treat them.

Journalists in all forms of media play an increasingly important role in shaping public understanding and debate about health care issues. As part ofa national effort to reduce stigma and discrimination, the Rosalynn CarterFellowships for Mental Health Journalism provide grants to journalists tostudy a selected topic regarding mental health or mental illnesses.

The fellowship program’s goals are to:

• Increase accurate reporting on mental health issues and decrease incorrect, stereotypical information;

• Help journalists produce high-quality work that reflects an understandingof mental health issues through exposure to well-established resources inthe field; and

• Develop a cadre of better-informed print and electronic journalists whocan report more accurate information through media outlets and influencetheir peers to do the same.

FellowshipsOverview of the

Claire Keeton2004–2005 FellowSunday TimesJohannesburg,South Africa

“The fellowshipallowed me, for thefirst time in 15 years as a journalist, to commit time and resources to a story.Working on stories of people living withmental illnesses and HIV/AIDS, I was ableto spend weeks with people not normallygiven a voice in the press. I was able tounderstand their lives and coping strategies,and I made an effort to reflect this in mywriting. I intend to keep working on thisproject, with the hope of reducing the isolation and stigma around HIV/AIDS and mental illnesses.”

StipendsEvery year, six U.S. fellows are awarded stipends of $10,000 USD each. In2006–2007, two Southern African fellows will be awarded R50,000 each.Stipends cover an array of expenses during the fellowship project; expensesmay include travel, materials, and other incidentals.

FlexibilityFellows enjoy a great deal of flexibility in sche-duling their project work throughout the year.Fellows make two expense-paid visits to TheCarter Center in Atlanta, Ga. The first occurs in September at the beginning of the fellowshipyear when fellows meet with their advisers, task force members, and other fellows to discusstheir project plans. The second visit comes inSeptember at the end of the fellowship year when fellows present their completed projects and discuss challenges and successes in mentalhealth reporting. Each visit lasts three days. The fellowships do not require recipients to leave their places of employment.

FellowshipsWhat the Offer

CreativityFellows are encouraged to select topics that are unique and creative. Projectsmay educate the public, raise awareness, or inform other journalists in thefield. Subjects may range from a report on the use of telemedicine in mentalhealth or a documentary on suicide prevention to a series of reports on theimpact of managed care on the delivery of mental health services. TheCarter Center Mental Health Program provides resources through its net-work of consumer, family, provider, managed care, and government agencies.

VarietyFellowships are tailored to suit the needs, interests, and experiences of eachfellow; no two fellows will have the same experience.

Caroline Clauss-Ehlers2004–2005 FellowFreelance JournalistNew York, N.Y.

“The Rosalynn Carter Fellowship hasplayed a pivotal role in my career. As mymental health reporting increased in scope,I found that sources and organizationsstarted to seek me out. This is the visibilitythat the fellowship affords its participants.As I continued to work as a freelancewriter, other media outlets became interested in collaborating. As a result, I started to write for an additional publication during my fellowship year.”

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Tanya Ott2001–2002 FellowWBHM-FMBirmingham, Ala.

“My fellowshipproject truly strucka chord andinspired me to continue reporting on mental health issueswith regularity after my year as a fellowended. In 2004, my station was awarded a grant for a year-long project called“Making Sense of Mental Health.” Our project includes a Web site, weekly features and interviews, two half-hour documentaries on children’s mental health,and a widely distributed weekly e-mail featuring current mental health researchand news coverage.”

Professional DevelopmentEach fellow is matched with a Fellowship Advisory Board member who is available to help guide the design and completion of the project at thediscretion of the fellow. Fellows are strongly encouraged to consult withtheir advisory board mentors throughout the fellowship year. In addition,fellows interact with each other, former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, andmembers of the Carter Center Mental Health Task Force.

When appropriate, the program requests that fellows conduct one trainingsession related to mental health and journalism for their peers during thefellowship year. Training can be held in a variety of formats, includingbrown

Kathryn E. CadeThe Carter Center Mental Health Task Force Liaison

Paul Jay Fink, M.D.Professor of Psychiatry, Temple UniversitySchool of Medicine

Larry FricksDirector of the Office of ConsumerRelations, Georgia Department of Human Resources, Division of Mental Health

John F. HeadFellow 1999-2000Freelance Journalist

Kay Redfield Jamison, Ph.D.Professor of Psychiatry, The JohnsHopkins University School of Medicine

Lawrence A. Kutner, Ph.D.Co-director, Harvard Medical SchoolCenter for Mental Health and Media

Catherine S. ManegoldProfessor of Journalism, James M. CoxJr. Chair, Emory University

Bob MeyersPresident, National Press Foundation

Ellen Mickiewicz, Ph.D.James R. Shepley Professor of Public Studies, Duke University.Director, DeWitt Wallace Center forCommunications and Journalism

Otto Wahl, Ph.D.Director, The Graduate Institute of Professional Psychology University of Hartford

International AdviserAnton HarberCaxton Professor of Journalism andMedia Studies, University of theWitwatersrand, South Africa

The Fellowship Advisory BoardJohn Head1999–2000Fellow andCurrentAdvisoryBoardMemberFreelance JournalistAtlanta, Ga.

“The paperback edition ofmy book, ‘Standing in the Shadows:Understanding and Overcoming Depressionin Black Men,’ came out this summer. I canhonestly say there wouldn’t be a paperbackedition, or any edition, of the book withoutthe Rosalynn Carter Fellowhips for MentalHealth Journalism. The support andencouragement Mrs. Carter and the CarterCenter Mental Health Program staff gaveme not only made it possible to write abook, but to write a book telling the story of my own struggles with depression.”

mental healthJulianne HillWriter/ProducerWorldwide Skur, Inc.Chicago, Ill.

Examine the work inChicago to reduce thestigma and challenges facing individuals withmental illnesses through a series of television newspieces. Topics will includecare for refugees withmental disorders, servicesavailable for the homeless,and medical explanationsand solutions for seriousmental illnesses.

Shandukani MathaguFreelance JournalistSibasa, South Africa

Explore the impact ofTshivenda communi-cative expressions onmental illnesses in theVhembe area of theLimpopo province ofSouth Africa through aseries of radio interviews.

Karen BrownReporterWFCR-FMNorthampton, Mass.

Produce a radio documentary on the effects of mental illnesses on siblings, from growing up with abrother or sister with amental illness to forgingrelationships as an adult.

Ingrid LearyFreelance Reporter andProducer TV3 NewsAuckland, New Zealand

Research, write, produce,and direct a series ofnews features on livingwith mental illnesses inNew Zealand and neigh-boring Pacific countries.

Journalism Fellows2005–2006

Encarnacion PyleReporterThe Columbus DispatchColumbus, Ohio

Write about two people in Central Ohio—onewith Parkinson’s diseaseand another with schizophrenia—and the differences in discrimination and stigma that each faces.

ntal healthMarion ScherFreelance JournalistJohannesburg, SouthAfrica

Compare the stigmaattached to mental illnesses in both ruraland urban areas andblack and white com-munities in South Africa.

Phil SmithExecutive ProducerSpoken FeaturesRadio New ZealandWellington, New Zealand

Explore the political,media, and social factorscontributing to the popu-lar fallacy that peoplewith mental illnesses aredangerous and violent.Investigate the impact of public fear on peopleexperiencing mental ill-nesses and on health carepractice, particularly with-in New Zealand prisons.

Michelle TrudeauContributingCorrespondentNational Public RadioIrvine, Calif.

Produce a series of radiostories on the psychologi-cal welfare of immigrantchildren and adolescents,with an emphasis on longitudinal studies thathave tracked their social,emotional, and psycho-logical development.

Rob WatersFreelance JournalistBerkeley, Calif.

Write a series of articleson the mental healthneeds and problems ofchildren in foster careand the creative effortsthat leaders around thecountry are making toaddress them.

Leigh WoosleyReporterTulsa WorldTulsa, Okla.

In a series of articles,profile adults who function within theworkplace and social settings, despite livingwith anxiety disorders.

2004–2005 FellowsCaroline Clauss-EhlersFreelance WriterNew York, N.Y.

Series of articles thatexplores the impact stigma has on access tomental health treatment,utilization of mentalhealth services, and coping for Latino families

Tom DavisColumnistThe RecordMetuchen, N.J.

Series of articles followingthe progress of a NewJersey program designedto divert people from theprison system and findalternative help for mentally ill inmates

Paul DiamondProducerRadio New ZealandWellington, New Zealand

Produce a series of radiofeatures on Maori-basedinitiatives aimed atimproving Maori mental health

Claire KeetonReporterSunday TimesJohannesburg, South Africa

Series of articles on themental health of SouthAfricans living withHIV/AIDS

Jim MarbrookProducer, Director, andWriterAuckland, New Zealand

Video pieces that explorethe role of Maori culturein healing and wellness

Kevin McCormackProducerKRON-TVSan Francisco, Calif.

Multipart series on howfamilies cope with mentalillness and the contro-versy surrounding involuntary commitment

Peggy MearsProducerBrainchild ProductionsIrvine, Calif.

Series of radio piecesfocusing on mental illnesses in adolescentsand the challenge thatdevelopmental stages and dramatic transitionspresent in detection and treatment

Greg MillerStaff Writer and OnlineNews EditorScience magazineBlacksburg, Va.

Series of articles exploring the loomingmental health crisis inthe developing countries

Michelle RobertsReporterThe OregonianPortland, Ore.

Series of articles aboutthe resiliency of children,particularly how theyovercome trauma, abuse, and other mental health crises

Kathryn StrachanFreelance WriterJohannesburg, South Africa

Series of in-depth magazine articles on deinstitutionalization programs in South Africa

2003–2004 FellowsSewell ChanReporterThe Washington PostWashington, D.C.

Series of articles explor-ing D.C.’s efforts to build a stronger system of care for children withmental illnesses

Previous Fellows

Media outlets and titles listed are those that were current when the fellowships were awarded.

Gail FisherSenior Photo EditorLos Angeles TimesLos Angeles, Calif.

A multimedia documen-tary that explores how a family copes with aloved one diagnosed with a mental illness

Kevin HeldmanFreelance JournalistBrooklyn, N.Y.

The mental health concerns of the criticallyill and their caretakers

Wray HerbertAssistant Managing EditorU.S. News & World ReportWashington, D.C.

Mental illnesses and the Americans WithDisabilities Act

Virginia HolmanFreelance JournalistCarolina Beach, N.C.

Stories of children of parents diagnosed withschizophrenia and howthey have fared as a resultof living with and caringfor a loved one with amental illness

Peter KleinProducerCBS News, “6O Minutes”Brooklyn, N.Y.

The effects of trauma, particularly in relation to the Holocaust

Noel O’HareFreelance JournalistWellington, New Zealand

Issues affecting the mental health of migrantsin New Zealand

Alex SpenceFreelance JournalistAuckland, New Zealand

The relationship betweenmental illnesses andpoverty in New Zealand

2002–2003 FellowsJim ChippPhotojournalistCapital CommunityNewspapers, Ltd.Lower Hutt, New Zealand

The difficulties and special skills needed todeliver mental healthservices to a multiethnicpopulation

Lila CornEducation ProducerWABC-TVNew York, N.Y.

A series of reports on school mental health services

Thomas CurwenDeputy EditorLos Angeles Times BookReviewLos Angeles, Calif.

The roles impulsivity and mental illnesses play in contributing to suicidesin the United States

Maura McDermottFreelance JournalistBronx, N.Y.

The gaps in access tohealth care among youngadults ages 18 to 21 withmental illnesses

Lauren McKenzieDocumentary ProducerTelevision New ZealandChristchurch, New Zealand

A three-part documentarylooking at the humanface of workplace stress

Eugene RichardsFreelance Photographer,Filmmaker, Writer, and TeacherBrooklyn, N.Y.

Photographic essays, educational videos, andoral histories that assess,document, and challengethe world’s discriminationagainst and abuse of peo-ple with mental illnesses

Edie RubinowitzFreelance JournalistCambridge, Mass.

An in-depth radio reporton the mental health caresystem in Cuba

Shankar VedantamReporterThe Washington PostWashington, D.C.

Multiple articles, including a look at attention deficit disorderin children and what scientists have learnedabout the causes of schizophrenia

2001–2002 FellowsSandra AckermanFreelance Writer and EditorDurham, N.C.

Toward a Healthy OlderBrain: The Science Behindthe Headlines, co-authoredwith Allan Tobin, Ph.D.

John FrancisFounder and PublisherTEARAWAY MagazineWanganui, New Zealand

Youth and mental healthissues, a 12-part series in TEARAWAY

Mike GourleyFreelance ProducerNational Radio and LongWhite Cloud ProductionsWellington, New Zealand

Relationships betweenmedia portrayal of mentalillness issues and effectson public perception

Lawrence HottProducer and DirectorFlorentine Films/HottProductions, Inc.Haydenville, Mass.

Imagining Robert, a documentary film thattells the story of twobrothers, one of whom suffers from mental illness and the other who is his caretaker

Angela MitchellFreelance Writer and AuthorChicago, Ill.

Recent medical breakthroughs and state-of-the-art treat-ments for adolescentmental illnesses

Tanya OttProducer and HostThe Village,WUFT/WJUF-FMGainesville, Fla.

The state of mentalhealth care in juvenilejustice and foster care sys-tems

William SkaneProducer, “CBS EveningNews” and “CBS Sunday Morning”Washington, D.C.

A three-part magazineseries on how America’sschools cope with children’s escalating mental health needs

Jodie Snyder andSusie StecknerReportersThe Arizona RepublicPhoenix, Ariz.

The challenges schoolsand workplaces face inaccommodating peoplewith mental illnesses

2000-2001 FellowsMonica Brady-MyerovReporterWBUR-FMBoston, Mass.

Relationship betweenmedication and mental illnesses, with a focus onchildren’s mental health

Nell CaseyFreelance WriterNew York, N.Y.

Role of social support in depression and the experience of family caregiving

Carl Ginsburg andHelen DemeranvilleFreelance DocumentaryProducersNew York, N.Y.

Children with mental illnesses who have beenreleased from jail and parents raising and relinquishing a child with mental illness

Michael IsipExecutive ProducerKVIE-TVSacramento, Calif.

Hope on the Street, a documentary film aboutrecovery in people who are homeless and havemental illnesses

Robert LandauerEditorial ColumnistThe OregonianPortland, Ore.

The way in which various states address theSupreme Court’s directivein its Olmstead vs. L.C.decision and an analysisof why supported

employment for peoplewith mental illnesses isnot given higher prioritynationwide

George WehrfritzTokyo Bureau ChiefNewsweekTokyo, Japan

The rising impact ofdepression in Japan associated with indicatorssuggesting that there is a mental health crisisbrewing there

1999-2000 FellowsPat BellinghausenAssistant City EditorBillings GazetteBillings, Mont.

The needs of people with mental illnesses in rural communities

John HeadFreelance Writer and JournalistAtlanta, Ga.

Mental health challengesamong minorities

Liisa K. HyvarinenExecutive ProducerSpecial Projects, WTSP-TVTampa, Fla.

Silent Screams, a documentary film that explores suicide causes, prevention, andsupport resources

Annie Murphy PaulSenior EditorMore magazineNew York, N.Y.

The promises and perils of self-helpapproaches to mental and emotional problems

Paul RaeburnSenior EditorBusiness WeekNew York, N.Y.

The scientific and socialaspects of mental illnessesin children and howschools cope

Emil VernarecSenior EditorBusiness and Health magazineMontvale, N.J.

The ways in whichemployer-sponsoredhealth promotion programs might addressdepression and job-related stress

1998–1999 FellowsRita Baron-FaustProducerWCBS News Radio 88New York, N.Y.

Defining cultural barriers to seeking mental health care andhow to overcome them

Susan BrinkSenior WriterU.S. News & World ReportWashington, D.C.

The medical and culturalimpact of managed carephasing out long-term psychotherapy

Joshua Wolf ShenkFreelance WriterNew York, N.Y.

Abraham Lincoln’s battlewith depression, how hecoped, and connectionsbetween definitions ofmental illness in Lincoln’sera and our own

Stephen SmithSenior Reporter/ProducerNational ProjectsMinnesota Public RadioSt. Paul, Minn.

Challenges people withmental illnesses face as they strive to stayemployed and in school

Kathi WolfeFreelance WriterFalls Church, Va.

Aging parents of childrenwith mental illnesses

1997–1998 FellowsJoel KaplanAssociate ProfessorS.I. Newhouse School ofPublic CommunicationsSyracuse UniversityDewitt, N.Y.

Changes in the mentalhealth service delivery system in OnandagaCounty, New York

Joyce H. NewmanDirector,Consumer Reports Television andSpecial ProjectsYonkers, N.Y.

Mental health in managed care settings

Andrew A. SkolnickAssociate Editor Journal of the AmericanMedical AssociationChicago, Ill.

Treatment of people withmental illnesses who are in jails and prisons and are treated by impairedphysicians

Leslie SowersHealth Reporter The Houston ChronicleHouston, Tx.

Children (from toddlers to adolescents) who have mental illnesses and the impact on fami-lies and schools

Leslie A. WinokurFreelance WriterAtlanta, Ga.

Ways in which today’sexecutives cope withincreasing pressures and stress

EligibilityEligible applicants must:

• Have at least two years of experience in print or electronicjournalism (writing, reporting,editing, producing, filmmaking)

• Submit a complete applicationpacket, including how the appli-cant heard about the fellowships

• Attend orientation and presen-tation meetings in September at the beginning and end of the fellowship year

Application PacketNo standard application form is used. The application packet must be mailed (no faxes or e-mails accepted) and must include the following:

• Resume: A list of representativepublications; membership in professional organizations; major journalism prizes and/orawards and year awarded.

• Objectives for Fellowship and Project Description: In aninformal essay not to exceed 750 words, describe reasons forapplying and how this fellowshipcould benefit existing work.Clearly outline the proposed project and a plan for carrying it out. Discuss the significance

Fellowship awards will be announced on the Carter Center Web page(www.cartercenter.org) Friday, July 7, 2006, 9 a.m. EDT. Inquiries regarding the fellowships are welcome throughoutthe year.

InstructionsApplication

and timeliness of the topic, potential obstacles that may beencountered, and feasibility of the project. Describe the expectedaudience reach and potentialimpact. Include how you heardabout the program.

• Samples of Professional Work:Submit up to three examples ofyour work. At least one of thesamples should be in the mediaform proposed. Printed materialsshould be in the format in whichthey were originally published,and electronic news reportsshould be airchecks. Do not submit an item that cannot bereplaced, as materials will not be returned.

• Letters of Recommendation*:Provide letters from two peoplefamiliar with your work, com-menting on your abilities andpotential as a journalist.

• Letter of Support*: One letterfrom your organization’s publisher, editor, producer, manager, or director, supportingthe application. If self-employed,the third letter must come froman individual familiar with your work.

* Letters may be included with the applicationpacket or mailed directly to the Mental Health Program.

Time LineApplication packets and letters ofrecommendation and support for2006–2007 fellowships must bepostmarked no later than Monday,April 17, 2006. Materials post-marked after the deadline will not be accepted.

U.S. applicants should send all application materials to:

Rebecca G. Palpant, M.S.Program DevelopmentCoordinatorMental Health ProgramsThe Carter CenterOne Copenhill453 Freedom ParkwayAtlanta, GA 30307(404) 420-5165

Inquiries: ccmhp@emory.eduwww.cartercenter.org

Southern African applicants should send all application materials to:

Anton HarberCaxton Professor ofJournalism and Media StudiesUniversity of theWitwatersrandP Bag 3, Wits 2050Johannesburg, South Africa717-4053717-4039 FAXanton@harber.za

The Carter Center appreciates the support of the following donors:

The Annenberg Foundation

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company

The Charles Engelhard Foundation

The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation

Walter H. and Phyllis J. Shorenstein FoundationThe Carter Center Mental Health Program

One Copenhill453 Freedom ParkwayAtlanta, GA 30307

ccmhp@emory.edu (404) 420-5165www.cartercenter.org fax (404) 420-5158

To view projects completed under the auspices of the Rosalynn Carter Fellowships for Mental Health Journalism,

visit www.cartercenter.org.

The Carter Center January 2006

Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter founded the not-for-profit Carter Center in 1982 in partnership with Emory University. Guided by a fundamental

commitment to human rights and the alleviation of human suffering, the Center brings people and resources together to wage peace,

fight disease, and build hope worldwide.