Application deadline extension – 30 November 2020
SPPSM will distinguish journalistic works on topics in the area of mental health
Journalist Maria Elisa composes the jury that will select the winning works
Works must have been published between October 2019 and November 2020
The Portuguese Society of Psychiatry and Mental Health (SPPSM) is launching the Journalism Award in Psychiatry and Mental Health, in order to recognize the efforts of journalists in such a sensitive area. Aware of the essential role of the media in informing, disseminating and raising awareness among the population, especially in the current context, SPPSM, with the support of Janssen Pharmaceuticals, a pharmaceutical company of the Johnson & Johnson group, created this distinction.
This Journalism Award will distinguish the three best journalistic pieces in the area of mental health that, between October 2019 and November 2020, have been published in the various media: press, television, radio or online.
All journalists, with a valid professional card, residing in mainland Portugal and the Autonomous Regions of Madeira and the Azores, whose journalistic piece has been published / disseminated in a media, can apply.
“With this initiative, we intend to value the crucial role played by journalists, as shapers of public opinion, capable of contributing to a more enlightened society that minimizes the stigma that weighs on people with mental disorders, family members and caregivers”, said Maria João Heitor, president of SPPSM.
Applications must be submitted by 30 November and evaluated by the jury within 60 days.
The jury is composed of journalist Maria Elisa, João Marques Teixeira (Portuguese Society of Psychiatry and Mental Health), Miguel Xavier (DGS – National Mental Health Program), Manuel Salavessa (Janssen) and Joaquina Castelão (FamiliarMente).
The Journalism Prize in Psychiatry and Mental Health will have a total value of €4,500, with three distinctions: 1st Prize: €2,000, 2nd Prize: €1,500 and 3rd Prize: €1,000.
Applications must be submitted between May 24, 2020 and November 30, 2020 through: premiojornalismo@sppsm.org
FAQS
FAQ1: What is the Journalism Award in Psychiatry and Mental Health?
Aware of the essential role of the media in informing, as well as in disseminating and raising awareness among the population on issues related to mental illnesses, the Portuguese Society of Psychiatry and Mental Health (SPPSM) decided to implement the Journalism Award in Psychiatry and Health Mental.
This award is intended to promote journalistic work on topics related to the area of mental health and intends to continue the valorization of the crucial role played by journalists, rewarding the quality of the journalistic work developed.
This Award is sponsored by Janssen, the pharmaceutical company of the Johnson & Johnson group, with the aim of helping to form an enlightened society, which minimizes the stigma that weighs on people with mental disorders, family members and caregivers.
FAQ2: Who is the Journalism in Psychiatry and Mental Health award for?
The prize is intended for all journalists, with a valid professional license, residing in mainland Portugal and the Autonomous Regions of Madeira and the Azores, whose journalistic piece has been published / disseminated in a means of communication – Press, Television, Radio, Online -, between October 2019 and November 2020.
Works can be submitted:
By a single person (“Single Application”); or
By a group of people (“Collective Application”), provided they do not exceed three members.
In the case of a Collective Application, candidates must nominate a representative, (the “Representative”) who will act on behalf of the group.
FAQ3: What works are eligible for the Journalism in Psychiatry and Mental Health award?
Works published or disseminated in a media – Press, Television, Radio, Online – between October 2019 and November 2020 will be considered.
The works to be submitted must have a content that contributes to a correct and greater knowledge of mental illnesses, being able to focus on specific cases or illnesses, as well as promoting research, prevention, health policies, epidemiological data or the action in case of manifestation of the disease(s) in general.
They can also highlight the existing resources for treatment, social support, networks of family and friends and the entire social dynamics of mental illness, or portray the reality of the disease either in the current context or from a historical perspective.
News understood as “fakenews”, works that have not been published or works with associated commercial interests will be excluded.
FAQ4: How to apply for the Journalism Award in Psychiatry and Mental Health?
Applications must be submitted between 24 and May 2020 and November 30, 2020 via: premiojornalismo@sppsm.org
Works can only be submitted by their author(s).
After submission of the work, each participant, or representative of the collective application, must receive an acknowledgment of receipt of the work by email within a maximum period of five working days. Only after acknowledgment of receipt will it appear on the list of candidates.
The submission of applications implies their acceptance and binding to the present Regulation of the Journalism in Mental Health Award.
FAQ5: How do I know if my application was successfully submitted?
After submission of the work, each participant or representative of the collective application must receive an acknowledgment of receipt of the work by email within a maximum period of five working days. Only after acknowledgment of receipt will it appear on the list of candidates.
FAQ6: What elements should be included in the application for the Journalism Award in Psychiatry and Mental Health?
Applications must consist of a journalistic piece that responds to the objectives set. (see What works are eligible for the Mental Health Journalism Award?)
The application must be accompanied by the following elements:
Full identification of the author(s): name, age, address, telephone and email contacts, and curriculum summary of the author or each of the authors.
Professional Journalist Card, in which the number of
Identification of the title, date of presentation of the work and the means of communication where the candidate work was
Declaration signed by the author(s) where it is mentioned that they have taken cognizance of the regulation, authorizing, in case of awarding a prize, the eventual publication and dissemination of the work.
Applications that by the deadline for submission do not contain all the necessary elements will not be considered.
It is up to the Portuguese Society of Psychiatry and Mental Health to verify compliance with the conditions of the Regulation of the Journalism in Mental Health Award, informing candidates of its acceptance or refusal, which cannot be appealed.
FAQ7: How do I know if my application has been accepted?
It is up to the Portuguese Society of Psychiatry and Mental Health to verify compliance with the conditions of the Regulation of the Journalism in Mental Health Award, informing candidates of its acceptance or refusal, which cannot be appealed.
Applications that by the deadline for submission do not contain all the necessary elements will not be considered.
News understood as “fakenews”, works that have not been published or works with associated commercial interests will be excluded.
FAQ8: Who will evaluate the nominations for the Journalism in Psychiatry and Mental Health Award?
The works received will be evaluated by a Jury made up of 5 personalities:
member of the Portuguese Society of Psychiatry and Mental Health who presides over the Jury;
member of an association of family members of patients and caregivers in the area;
element designated by Janssen;
element with recognized merit in the area of communication and journalism;
member of the Directorate-General for Health;
FAQ9: How will applications for the Journalism in Psychiatry and Mental Health Award be evaluated?
The Jury undertakes to evaluate all entries received in order to elect the three best works submitted to the competition, regardless of the publication category (Press, Television, Radio or Online).
The Jury’s deliberations are sovereign and irrevocable, not subject to appeal and taken by majority of votes, with the President of the Jury having the casting vote in the event of a tie.
The Portuguese Society of Psychiatry and Mental Health reserves the right not to award any prize if the Jury does not recognize the merit or quality of the works in the competition.
The Jury will assess the Works according to the following criteria:
Consistency with Award requirements: promotion and encouragement of success stories and/or recovery in the field of mental illness.
Creativity and originality in the choice and approach of the theme.
Research: research necessary for the collection of information, resources with scientific quality used in the preparation of the work.
Scientific rigor: sources of information, with quality and variety and consistency of content.
Relevance: The content must be relevant from a health point of view and address one or several issues in the field of psychiatry and mental illness.
Writing quality: language, readability and structure.
Impact of information on public opinion and ability to arouse the interest of readers.
Objectivity, ethics and respect for the basic principles of journalism.
FAQ10: What is the application assessment period?
The Jury has up to 60 (sixty) days from the end of the deadline for submission of the works referred to in the previous number to decide on the works submitted to its appreciation.
The Jury undertakes to evaluate all entries
received until December 31 of the year in which the prize is launched.
FAQ11: When will the winner of the Journalism Award in Psychiatry and Mental Health be announced?
The announcement of the winners of the Journalism Award in Psychiatry and Mental Health will be carried out in 2021 at an SPPSM event on a date to be announced.
The Portuguese Society of Psychiatry and Mental Health will contact the winners, as applicable, by telephone and/or e-mail for the purpose mentioned in the previous number.
FAQ12: How will the Journalism Award in Psychiatry and Mental Health be announced?
The Portuguese Society of Psychiatry and Mental Health will contact the winners, as applicable, by telephone and/or e-mail for the purpose set out in the previous number.
The Journalism Award in Psychiatry and Mental Health will be disseminated through the following means:
On the website of the Portuguese Society of Psychiatry and Mental Health
Through emails to potential candidates.
Other means defined by the Portuguese Society of Psychiatry and Mental Health
FAQ13: What is the value of the Journalism in Psychiatry and Mental Health award?
The Journalism Prize in Psychiatry and Mental Health will have a total value of €4,500 (four thousand five hundred euros) divided into three prizes:
1st Prize: €2,000
2nd Prize: €1,500
3rd Prize: €1,000
Honorable mentions may be given by the Jury, to which no pecuniary value will be associated.
FAQ14: How will the Journalism in Psychiatry and Mental Health award be delivered?
The prize amount will be paid directly to the winners or to representatives of the winning groups via bank transfer.
The Portuguese Society of Psychiatry and Mental Health will contact the winners after the communication of the winners so that they provide additional data to those provided during the Application phase (for example, their bank details, namely their IBAN), necessary for the award and use of the Journalism Award in Psychiatry and Mental Health.
Honorable mentions may be given by the Jury, to which no pecuniary value will be associated.
FAQ15: Where can I find information about the Journalism Award in Psychiatry and Mental Health?
The Regulations of the Prize for Journalism in Psychiatry and Mental Health: https://www.sppsm.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Regulamento-Premio-Jornalismo-em-Saude-Mental.pdf
For any further clarification, candidates should send an email to premiojornalismo@sppsm.org