Shortlist announced for Shine’s Mental Health Media Awards 2026

2026 Shortlist

Print & Online | National

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

• DJ Nikki Hayes: 'With DBT I understand much more about borderline personality disorder, and I can finally give myself compassion’ - Dawn O’Shea, Irish Independent
• 'I was raging. I had warned them this girl was a high risk'– Michael O’Farrell, Irish Mail on Sunday
• The suicide forum facilitating the deaths of vulnerable people in Ireland – Patricia Devlin, The Journal Investigates
• Screaming from doctors as well as patients – Sarah Horgan, Irish Examiner
• ‘Alcohol’s impact on suicide is huge. On the night he died, Dan’s alcohol levels were staggering’ – Suzanne Harrington, Irish Independent

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Print & Online | Local

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

• 'If he was diagnosed sooner, he might still be here today’ - Kildare mum who lost her son to suicide - Aisling Bolton-Dowling, Independent.ie (Regionals)  
• Wayne Power: From agoraphobia battle to performing at Electric Picnic - Darragh Murphy, Waterford News & Star  
• ‘Left in limbo’ – Suicidal teen left to wait four weeks in hospital with no child psychiatrist available - Padráig Byrne, The Wexford People  
• From chronic addiction to sobriety: Donal’s message of hope to others - Richard Canny, Roscommon Herald  
• Kerry jockey’s drink and cocaine spiral — ‘I remember thinking what the f**k am I doing’ - Stephen Fernane, The Kerryman

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Print & Online | Special Interest

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

• Caelan Doris: ‘Therapy opened a can of worms for me. I didn’t know what I was going to find’ - Denis Walsh, The Irish Times
• Endometriosis: ‘It wasn’t until I became a mother that I realised my period pain was the same level as labour pain’ - Emer Harrington, Irish Independent
• Mark Robson on his abuser: ‘When he died, I went through a terrible time because I wanted to kill him’ - Malachy Clerkin, The Irish Times
• Anorexia after 40: She would say, ‘I’m no good. You don’t deserve a mother like me’ - Nadine O'Regan, The Irish Times
• ‘They have been sidelined’ - historic trauma at Ireland's mental institutions – Niamh Cavanagh, The Journal Investigates

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Broadcasting | Long Form

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

• All That Remains with Niall Breslin - RTÉ
• Inside the Care System - RTÉ Investigates, RTÉ  
• Néara-Éagsúlacht: Dearcadh Difriúil: Ep01 - Tyrone Productions, TG4
• Síle Seoige: An Saol Mar Atá: S01 Ep02 - Tyrone Productions, TG4
• The Funny Bone Doesn't Break - Siobhan Brosnan, Radio Kerry

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Broadcasting | Short Form

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

• Dr. Sharma's Story - Barry Lenihan for Drivetime, RTÉ Radio 1
• Increase in gambling addiction services in Ireland - Eithne Dodd for This Week, RTÉ Radio 1
• Majella O'Donnell on living with depression - The Late Late Show, RTÉ
• Steph shares her OCD story – Cork Today with Patricia Messinger, C103
• When Motherhood Meets Addiction - Sarah Madden for The Claire Byrne Show, Newstalk

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Digital Content

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

• How this couple aims to reform mental health care by replacing psychiatric hospitals with a therapeutic farm centre – Aisling Bolton-Dowling, Feature video on Independent.ie
• Eating Disorders: Connection and Community – The Stigma Shift | Uncovering Mental Health with St. John of God University Hospital Podcast
• Traveller Road to Hope and Change - Exchange House Ireland, YouTube  
• The Explainer: Why are hundreds of suspected suicides invisible in official stats? - The Explainer Podcast, Journal Media
• Nancy Reilly speaks out about husband Mark Reilly's tragic death by suicide at CUH and the HSE apology she received - The Deirdre O’Shaughnessy Podcast, Irish Examiner Podcasts

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Student Journalism Award | in partnership with TheJournal.ie

For student-produced radio, digital or print pieces.

• Sonder - Colm McClelland, Dundalk Institute of Technology
• Behind UCD’s ‘Supportive Environment’: Student Nurses Speak Out on Burnout and Institutional Neglect - John O'Connor, University College Dublin
• Conversion Practice: Justin's story - Amelhyne O’Regan-Farineau, Technological University Dublin
• The Blind Eye: Drugs and Addiction in Rural Ireland - Emma van Oosterhout, University of Galway
• Waiting for Help: Are Trinity’s Mental Health Services Leaving Students in Limbo - Holly Warren, Trinity College Dublin

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

For a TV, radio, online or print series highlighting recovery in mental health.

• Inside Out Programme – Alan Bradley for Bodywhys, Bodywhys YouTube
• Better Out Than In - Belong To LGBTQ+ Youth Ireland, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat
• Néara-Éagsúlacht: Dearcadh Difriúil - Tyrone Productions, TG4

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Shine Audience Choice Award

Our only shortlist chosen by public vote.

• First Timers on the Frontline: Ep03 – Alleycats TV, Virgin Media Television
• Ireland AM: Laura Guckian on maternal mental health - Virgin Media Television
• The Late Late Show: Majella O'Donnell on living with depression - RTÉ
• The Deirdre O'Shaughnessy Podcast: The year of care campaign with Aolish Gormley - Irish Examiner Podcasts
• Uncharted with Ray Goggins: S02 Ep01 with PJ Gallagher & Liam Cunningham - Diffusion Media, RTÉ

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Youth Mental Health Award | Supported by spunout  

For a piece of media, across any format, that centres the mental health experiences of young people.

• Bodywhys Inside Out Programme – Alan Bradley for Bodywhys, Bodywhys YouTube
• Better Out Than In 2025 - Belong To, LGBTQ+ Youth Ireland, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat
• Schools Out: No Worries! - D11 Stories, RTÉ
• Radio Kerry Youth Voice Series: Ep 6, Neurodivergence - Siobhan Brosnan, Radio Kerry
• 'A screen and silence': Our readers' sad and lonely experiences of college during the pandemic – Sophie Finn, The Journal

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Special Recognition Recipients 2026

This category honours the enormous contribution that people with lived experience of mental health challenges make when they choose to share their stories in the media.

• Caelan Doris featured in The Irish Times
• Steph Doyle featured on Cork Today C103
• Noeleen Eustace featured in the Irish Independent
• Majella O'Donnell featured on The Late Late Show
• Bláthnaid Raleigh featured in Ready To Be Real Podcast

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Mental Health Champion

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