St. Albert Gazette reporters Scott Hayes and Doug Neuman have been recognized for a four-part series on mental health that ran in September 2015.
Directors of the Canadian Mental Health Association’s Alberta chapter selected the series for the 2016 Communications Award, which recognizes outstanding coverage of mental-health issues, and presented the award at the group’s Sept. 23 annual general meeting.
The Gazette’s four-part series, entitled “Mental Illness and the Young,” featured stories from St. Albertans and those from surrounding areas who shared their own experiences with the mental-health system, and the effects on their lives.
The series covered the early signs and symptoms of mental illness; the kinds of impacts mental illness can have on a young person’s life; the challenges of diagnosing, treating mental illness; and how we as a society can break down the stigma surround mental illness.
“Of course we’re honoured to be recognized, but we both feel the real credit should go to all those who have shared their stories so publicly, and helped to break down the stigma surrounding mental health,” Neuman said.
“I only hope that the series offered all people a chance to better understand both some of the causes and treatments of mental illness and to see that we are all in it together,” Hayes added. “Everyone is affected by mental illness, either directly or indirectly, and that means that everyone has a part to play too.”
Greatwest Newspapers president Duff Jamison credited the series with shining light on an issue that “for too long has flown under the radar – youth mental health.”
“Their series of touching personal stories told readers about the wrenching effects mental health issues have on youth and their families,” he said. “Kudos to the reporters for their terrific work.”
He said the series helped to sell out the Arden Theatre Sept. 25, 2015, for the St. Albert Community Foundation’s presentation with Kaitlin Hrudey and her ex-NHLer father Kelly. Both have spoken publicly about their own family’s struggles with Kaitlin’s mental health.
The proceeds from that event started an endowment fund, which this year will grant $1,400 to local charities to support mental-health initiatives in St. Albert. Charities will be able to apply through the Community Foundation.
The foundation has scheduled another fundraiser to help the fund grow. Former NHL hockey player Sheldon Kennedy, who has been public about his own struggles with sexual abuse and mental health, has been scheduled to speak March 22, 2017.
In addition, Olympian and mental-health advocate Clara Hughes will speak at the Arden Theatre Oct. 14 as part of the St. Albert Readers Festival. The proceeds from that event will likewise support St. Albert mental health initiatives.
