Shortlist announced for Shine’s Mental Health Media Awards 2025

Shine’s Media Programme today announced the shortlist for the Mental Health Media Awards 2025, recognising excellence in Irish media coverage of mental health across all platforms. The awards celebrate journalists, producers, editors and content creators whose work improves public understanding of mental health, challenges stereotypes and fosters informed discussion.

Shine welcomes Coimisiún na Meán as event sponsor for the second year, the continued support of UNHCR and the Irish Red Cross for the Refugee Mental Health Reporting category, and a new partnership with HSE Mental Health Engagement & Recovery supporting the new Mental Health Series category.

Shine CEO Nicola Byrne said:

“The public’s perception of mental illness is shaped, to a very large degree, by how it is portrayed in media. That is an important responsibility. With these awards, we celebrate outstanding journalism that improves understanding, challenges stereotypes, and fosters informed discussions about mental health. Congratulations to all those shortlisted.”

Shine Media Programme Lead Áine O’Meara added:

“Mental health stories can change people’s lives. We received 100s of submissions from media professionals across the country who are shaping how audiences perceive mental health, and sometimes even directly influence the supports audiences need. To cover mental health well is an act of public service and I’m grateful to all those who did that this year. We’re delighted to recognise this contribution through the shortlist.”

Awards ceremony: Winners will be announced at an event in Dublin, on December 3, 2025.

‍

2025 Shortlist

Print & Online | National

For a single print/online report or feature in a national outlet related to mental health.

• Why prison is no place for the mentally ill – Ann Murphy, Irish Examiner
• ‘He was kept locked in a room with a leg-shackle until the 1980s’: Stories from Ireland’s state-run asylums – Kitty Holland, The Irish Times
• HSE reviews death of patient in psychiatric facility that did not record suicide warnings – Maeve Sheehan, Sunday Independent
• Perinatal depression: 'People said my newborn was the best Christmas present - but I didn't feel it' - Niamh O'Reilly, Irish Independent
• How dysfunction in a mental health unit contributed to the death of a teenage girl – Shane Phelan, Irish Independent

‍

Print & Online | Local

For a single print/online report or feature in a local/regional outlet.

• The Waterford families sleeping on the streets just to stay together - Shannon Sweeney, Waterford News and Star
• It feels like there’s nobody listening': Cork mum's plea for improved eating disorder services - Amy Campbell, The Echo (Cork)
• Living with the trauma of war many miles from home - Richard Canny, Roscommon Herald
• WEST CORK FARMING: Talking is therapy - Emma Connolly, Southern Sta
• Mental Health Impact Of Coercive Control - Dan Danaher, Clare Champion

‍

Print & Online | Special Interest

For specialist features (e.g., sport, music, food, health; includes supplements/magazines).

• ‘You're witnessing a killing over and over': Why don't we give jurors greater supports? - Ann Murphy, Irish Examiner
• ‘I would go whole days without talking to another adult' - the loneliness of early motherhood - Niamh O'Reilly, Irish Independent
• How the GAA is playing its part to prevent suicide - Malachy Clerkin, The Irish Times
• The Invisible Struggle of OCD - Niamh Devereux, Irish Country Magazine
• Counselling helps complete the healing - Helen O'Callaghan, Irish Examiner

‍

Broadcasting | Long Form

For a factual, long-form TV/radio feature or documentary.

• Anorexia, My Family & Me – Alleycats, RTÉ
• Women locked up: Inside the Dóchas - Midas Productions, Virgin Media Television
• First on Scene, Last to Heal: Emergency Workers and Fatal Collisions - Alex Rowley, Newstalk  
• Leathered: Violence in Irish Schools - RTÉ
• Hooked: How addiction hijacks your brain - Cable Rock Pictures, RTÉ

‍

Broadcasting | Short Form

For a factual short-form news clip/segment/interview.

• Nagugu's story - Deirdre Walsh, Radio Kerry
• Prime Time: School Avoidance - RTÉ
• Brendan O’Connor Show: Annie Curtis interview - RTÉ Radio 1  
• Claire Byrne Show: Anthony Hennessy story - Brian O'Connell, RTÉ Radio 1
• Brendan O'Connor Show: Care Leavers - RTÉ Radio 1

‍

Digital Content

For podcasts, interactive features, apps or other digital formats.

• Mary Ann Kenny's story of Grief, Psychosis and Recovery - The Laura Dowling Experience Podcast
• Nikki Hayes Interview – The Indo Daily Podcast
• Listen to the land with Manchán Magan - Where is My Mind? Podcast
• Suicide Bereavement, ep. 111 – HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing Podcast
• Irish Asylums: A Dark History We Don't Talk About. Why? - Irish History Podcast

‍

Student Journalism Award | in partnership with TheJournal.ie

For student-produced radio, digital or print pieces.

• Adult ADHD in Ireland – Robyn Power, Munster Technological University Cork
• The Real Cian Stanley - Cian Stanley and crew, Dundalk Institute of Technology
• The Dungeon - Ben Holland and crew, Dundalk Institute of Technology
• The Weight We Carry - Catherine Duggan, University of Limerick
• Let’s pathologize everything: Repackaging human experience - Safreen AC, University College Dublin

‍

Special Recognition Award

For people with lived experience who shared their story to educate wider audiences.

• Emer McLysaght featured in The Irish Times
• Hala Sourani featured in Ready To Be Real Podcast
• Máirtín Ó Cathasaigh featured in Glúin Z, TG4  
• Mary Ann Kenny featured in The Laura Dowling Experience Podcast  
• Nikki Hayes featured in The Indo Daily Podcast

‍

Mental Health Series | supported by HSE Mental Health Engagement & Recovery

For a series across print, broadcast or digital, that promotes and supports themes related to mental health recovery and education.

• Women locked up: Inside the Dóchas - Midas Productions, Virgin Media Television
• Hooked: How addiction hijacks your brain - Cable Rock Pictures, RTÉ
• Finding a way back from heroin addiction - Sarah Horgan, Irish Examiner

‍

Shine Audience Choice Award

Our only shortlist chosen by public vote

• Women locked up: Inside the Dóchas - Midas Productions, Virgin Media Television
• Suicide Bereavement, ep 111 – HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing Podcast
• Six O'Clock Show: Nikki Hayes Interview – Virgin Media Television
• Hooked: How Addiction Hijacks Your Brain - Cable Rock Pictures, RTÉ    
• Anorexia, My Family & Me – Alleycats, RTÉ

‍

Refugee Mental Health Award | supported by UNHCR and Irish Red Cross

For work on the mental health experiences of refugees/asylum seekers in Ireland.

• Gaza calling: Loved ones in limbo - Dan Dooner, Shannonside Northern Sound
• ‘I’m so scared’: Families in limbo after being told to leave international protection accommodation - Órla Ryan, The Irish Times
• Living with the trauma of war many miles from home - Richard Canny, Roscommon Herald
• ‘Can you hear me?' Dispatches from the world's forgotten war - Sarah Madden, Newstalk  
• Dementia patient's daughter pleads for safer housing before Cork hotel eviction, Sarah Horgan, Irish Examiner

‍

Mental Health Champion

Awarded on the day to a media professional whose body of work consistently champions mental health experiences.