Applications Being Accepted for the 2011-2012 Rosalynn Carter Fellowships for Mental Health Journalism

Contact: Paige Rohe, [email protected], 404-420-5129

ATLANTA.... Applications from U.S. residents are now being accepted for six one-year journalism fellowships with the Carter Center's Mental Health Program. These fellowships aim to enhance public understanding of mental health issues and reduce stigma and discrimination against people with mental illnesses through balanced and accurate reporting. The postmark deadline for applications is April 18, 2011, and the fellowship recipients will be announced July 15, 2011, on the Center's website, www.cartercenter.org. The 2011-2012 fellowship year begins in September 2011.

"Informed journalists can have a significant impact on public understanding of mental health issues, as they shape debate and trends with the words and pictures they convey," says former First Lady and Carter Center Mental Health Program Founder Rosalynn Carter.

Each fellow is awarded a $10,000 stipend and provided with two required expense-paid trips to The Carter Center in September 2011, and again, in September 2012, to meet with program staff and advisers. Fellows are not required to leave their employment during the fellowship year and are encouraged to choose timely projects that may educate the public and raise awareness about important mental health concerns. Since the fellowship program began in 1996, 118 fellowships have been awarded, producing more than 100 newspaper and magazine articles, five books, five television documentaries, and hundreds of minutes of radio and television time.

Shedding Light on Issues and Creating Change

Among other achievements, through their reporting, the Center's fellows have: investigated  the use of North Carolina state prisons as de facto psychiatric hospitals; shed light on pioneering research exploring the prevention of psychosis; and exposed the complex and devastating mental health challenges faced by returning Iraq and Afghanistan veterans.

Fellows' projects have garnered an Emmy Award and awards from Mental Health America, the American Psychological Association, Amnesty International, and the Association of Health Care Journalists, as well as nominations for the Pulitzer Prize.

How to Apply

The program is open to print, electronic, and new media journalists with a minimum of three years professional experience. Projects are tailored to the experience and interests of the fellows. Fellows are not required to leave their current employment.

Interested applicants should submit the following:

• Online Profile: An online form for preparing a short profile detailing personal and professional information is available on the Carter Center's website at www.cartercenter.org. E-mail profile only to [email protected].
• Resume: The resume should include: a list of representative publications; membership in professional organizations; major journalism prizes; and/or awards and year awarded.
• Objectives for Fellowship and Project Description: An informal essay not to exceed 1,000 words describing the applicant's professional reasons for applying and how the fellowship would benefit the applicant's body of work.
• Samples of Professional Work: Up to three examples of the applicant's work may be submitted. At least one of the samples should be in the media form proposed. Printed materials should be in the format in which they were originally published. Please note that all submitted application materials cannot be returned.
• Letters of Recommendation: Letters of recommendation from two people familiar with the applicant's work must be submitted. The letters should comment on the applicant's abilities and potential as a journalist. Letters must be signed originals and printed on letterhead.
• Letter of Support: One letter from the applicant's publisher, editor, producer, manager, or director, supporting the application is required. If the applicant is self-employed, the third letter must come from an individual familiar with his or her work. Letters must be signed originals and printed on letterhead.

All materials must be mailed and postmarked by April 18, 2011. Only the profile may be e-mailed.
 
Additional Resources:

Read about previous fellowship projects in our archives section >>

Learn about Rosalynn Carter's more than 35-year career in mental health leadership >>

Direct all application materials or inquiries to:

Rebecca G. Palpant, M.S.
Senior Program Associate
The Carter Center Mental Health Program
453 Freedom Parkway
Atlanta, GA 30307
Tel: (404) 420-5165
Email: [email protected]

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"Waging Peace. Fighting Disease. Building Hope."

A not-for-profit, nongovernmental organization, The Carter Center has helped to improve life for people in more than 70 countries by resolving conflicts; advancing democracy, human rights, and economic opportunity; preventing diseases; improving mental health care; and teaching farmers in developing nations to increase crop production. The Carter Center was founded in 1982 by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, in partnership with Emory University, to advance peace and health worldwide. Please visit www.cartercenter.org to learn more about The Carter Center.

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