2011 ATOM Awards Puts a Spotlight on Mental Health Issues

MELBOURNE – Monday 19 September, 2011 – Recent media coverage focused on the challenges facing mental health services note that there seems to be greater community awareness and acceptance of the fact that certain mental health issues such as depression and anxiety are common in today’s society, yet are treatable.

The Sydney Morning Herald recently reported, “While it is often reported that one in five will experience a mental illness during their lifetime, state-funded mental health services primarily respond to the much smaller number of people with severe illness such as schizophrenia or bipolar ffective disorder and to people experiencing a crisis or acute episode.”[1]

A number of finalists in the 2011 ATOM Awards program have pointed their cameras at a wide range of mental health and wellbeing issues, with the result being an array of impressive, thoughtful and thought provoking insights into the mental health issues that exist in today’s society.

“Each year, the ATOM Awards program receives submissions that show a focus and give a ‘call to action’ message regarding a mental health or well being issue. This reflects the long tradition of commitment by documentary film makers to explore and express views and insights into social and community relevant issues and the interests of young, student filmmakers in exploring their experiences that are otherwise often not acknowledged,” said Simon Wilmot, ATOM Awards Executive Officer.

“Media in all its various manifestations is the most significant cultural form with which young Australians are engaged. It is a locus of young people’s learning and communicating about the world in which they live. The ATOM Awards provides special access to processes that engage with and circulate ideas.”

As such, it’s encouraging to see so many students and professional film makers alike turn their eye, their minds and their cameras to a wide range of mental health issues and in doing so, open the conversation for our community to be more aware of and more accepting of mental health issues,” he added.

Notes:

[1] http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/working-on-a-better-mental-health-system-20110904-1js5t.html

Australian Teachers of Media (ATOM)

ENDS

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