SANE Media Centre & StigmaWatch

1. Project Profile

Project Name(s)	SANE Media Centre & StigmaWatch
Funded Organisation	SANE Australia
Geographical Area	National
State/Territory	National
Approach(es)	Universal
Individual/Group	Group
LIFE Action Areas	Improving the evidence base and understanding of suicide prevention Improving community strength, resilience and capacity in suicide prevention Taking a coordinated approach to suicide prevention Providing targeted suicide prevention activities Implementing standards and quality in suicide prevention
Target Groups	People living with a mental illness CALD communities Whole of community Other

2. Project Description

SANE Australia's web-based StigmaWatch program was established to promote accurate, respectful and sensitive depiction of mental illness and suicide – exposing cases of media stigma to public scrutiny and educating those responsible to change their practices. The SANE Media Centre was established to provide accurate information, access and referral to reliable interviewees, 'media-savvy' advice and support and active promotion of the Mindframe Initiative and its resources.

The aims of the project are to:

• Support the media and the mental health sector by providing day to day information and advice on appropriate reporting and portrayal of mental illness and suicide
• Promote accurate, balanced and responsible depictions of mental illness and suicide
• Raise awareness of the Mindframe National Media Initiative principles and available resources
• Enhance the community’s ability to take action against media reporting that stigmatises mental illness or depicts suicide inappropriately
• Support and promote the work being done by other projects funded through the NSPP

3. Activities

The project works to achieve the above aims by:

• Strengthening relationships with print and online media to improve understanding of the complexities surrounding the reporting of mental illness and suicide by providing background information, current statistics, comment and referral to experts
• Supporting the media in presenting positive stories relating to suicide and mental illness through providing, where possible, people with a mental illness and/or experience of suicidal ideation and family carers for interviews
• Briefing and supporting interviewees provided for media interviews
• Providing feedback to the media following accurate and responsible portrayals of mental illness and suicide
• Directing media professionals, the mental health and suicide prevention sectors and students to Mindframe resources
• Advising scriptwriters, producers and commissioners of drama, documentaries and film, and the advertising industry on the appropriate portrayal of mental illness and suicide
• Providing advice to the mental health sector on working with the media consistent with the Mindframe resources for the mental health and suicide prevention sector
• Providing media training for people with a mental illness, family carers and mental health ad suicide prevention workers
• Ensuring the quality of media awards by judging entries when requested
• Supporting the development of media codes of practice which are consistent with the Mindframe principles by providing advice to media regulators on issues relating to reporting and portraying suicide and mental illness Top of page

4. Funding

• Round 1
  • NSPP funding
    • 2006/07 - $300,000
    • 2007/08 - $300,000
    • 2008/09 - $300,000
  • % project funding - 80%
• Round 2
  • NSPP funding
    • 2009/10 - $335,000
    • 2010/11 - $335,000
  • % project funding - 80%
• Round 3
  • NSPP funding
    • 2011/12 - $350,949
    • 2012/13 - $357,267
  • % project funding - 80%

5. Staffing

• Round 1 (2006/07, 2007/08, 2008/09)
  • Number staff positions funded (FTE) - 1.35
  • Number staff positions filled (FTE) - 2
• Round 2 (2009/10, 2010/11)
  • Number staff positions funded (FTE) - 1.35
  • Number staff positions filled (FTE) - 2
• Round 3 (2011/12, 2012/13)
  • Number staff positions funded (FTE) - 1.35
  • Number staff positions filled (FTE) - 2