ITV announces Mental Health in the Media panel series
ITV has announced a second installment of the successful panel series Mental Health in the Media, designed in partnership with Mind, YoungMinds, CALM, SAMH (Scottish Action for Mental Health) (Scottish Action for Mental Health), and the Film and TV Charity.
Taking place on Thursday 12th and Thursday 19th of June, these free panels bring together creative and mental health leaders to inspire conversation and share best practice around mental health both on-screen and off. Mental Health in the Media first ran in 2023 with nearly 1,000 people from across the industry attending.
The series consists of four panel events each tackling a different theme. Safeguarding Stories, chaired by Paul Brand, and featuring panellists from factual and drama genres, looks at how we can support the mental health of contributors who share their stories to make brilliant TV, and the aftermath for contributors and producers alike. It takes place on Thursday 12th June at 10am.
Beyond the Headlines, chaired by Nina Hossain, and featuring panelists from news organisations and mental health charities, looks at how the news influences our perceptions of mental health and the impacts reporting has on the mental health of both journalists and audiences, across different platforms. This panel is on Thursday 12th June at 1pm.
More than a Moment, chaired by Charlene White, looks at what it takes for brands to drive genuine, impactful change while under increased pressure to deliver instant impact and amid growing consumer distrust, featuring panellists from brands and advertising agencies. This takes place on Thursday 19th June at 10am.
The Freelance Mindset, chaired by Pat Younge, and in collaboration with the Film and TV Charity, brings together workplace wellbeing experts and industry bodies to look at the science around mental health during times of unpredictability and practical ways freelancers can build resilience, knowledge and transferable skills. This panel is on Thursday 19th June at 1pm.
All panels except Safeguarding Stories will be recorded and available on MentalHealthInTheMedia.itv to view afterwards.
Mental Health in the Media marks five years of ITV's Mental Health Advisory Group, a group of charity and professional experts who provide guidance and support on all aspects of ITV's approach to wellbeing, on-screen and off-screen.
ITV has a long-standing commitment to promoting better mental wellbeing as part of its social purpose. Since 2019, Britain Get Talking, developed in partnership with Mind, YoungMinds and SAMH, has been the UK's most well-known mental health campaign. Other powerful initiatives include This Morning's collaboration with CALM, featuring campaigns like the Last Photo and 2024's Missed Birthdays; and Good Morning Britain's 1 Million Minutes campaign, now into its 10th year, which aims to tackle loneliness in the UK by encouraging people to volunteer. Last year ITV donated £1million airtime to WWF as part of its Head First Award to promote mental wellbeing to the public. ITV content and campaigns have prompted over 250 million actions by the UK public to improve their mental health over the last six years.
Carolyn McCall, ITV's Chief Executive says, ' At ITV, our social purpose is to shape culture for good. Promoting better mental wellbeing is a key part of that and it has never been more important, or timely, to tackle topics related to mental health in our industry. I'm really pleased that, after the success of our first panel series, we have been able to convene Mental Health in the Media for the second time. It's a simple, accessible and free way to inspire conversations across the industry and encourage the sharing of what works well to drive change. I'm sure the series will help to stimulate debate, discussion and, more importantly, positive action. '
For more information about the panels and to sign up to attend, visit Mentalhealthinthemedia.itv
Notes to editors-------
Confirmed Panellists
Safeguarding Stories: Duty of Care in TV Production, Thursday 12th June, 10am
Featuring panellists from true crime, factual, and drama, looks at how we can support the mental health of contributors who share their stories to make brilliant TV, and the aftermath for contributors and producers alike.
Chair: Paul Brand, UK Editor, ITV News
Featuring:
Colleen Flynn - Creative Director at Flicker Productions
Chelsea Ruffle – Head of Duty of Care at ITV
Rebecca North – Executive Producer at RAW
Joe Williams – Executive Producer, ITV Studios
Ellie Simmonds - Paralympian and broadcaster
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Beyond the Headlines: The Impact of News Reporting on Mental Health Thursday 12th June, 1pm
A look at how the news influences our perceptions of mental health, from stigma to suicide, and the impacts reporting has on the mental health of both journalists and audiences, across different platforms.
Chair: Nina Hossain, ITN Newscaster
Featuring:
Andrew Dagnell – Director of News and Current Affairs, ITV
Sam Leader – Digital Reporter, ITV News
Rebecca Barry – Health Correspondent, ITV News
Kenny Stewart - Head of Public Affairs and Communications, SAMH
Mike Walsh - Director of Marketing, LadBible
Wendy Robinson – Director of Services, CALM
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More than a Moment: Driving Authentic Mental Health Impact through Marketing Thursday 19th June, 10am
We ask what it takes for brands to drive genuine, impactful change while under increased pressure to deliver instant impact and growing consumer distrust, particularly among younger audiences.
Chair: Charlene White - journalist, author and broadcaster
Featuring :
Simon Gunning - CEO of CALM
Lori Meakin - Agency strategist and founder of Joint and The Others & Me
Rob Jennings - Strategy Director, Wonderhood
Holly McKinley - Director of Strategic Communications and Brand, WWF-UK
The Freelance Mindset: Navigating Uncertainty and Protecting Wellbeing Thursday 19th June, 1-2.15pm
A look at the science around mental health during times of unpredictability and practical ways freelancers can build resilience, knowledge and transferable skills.
Chair: Pat Younge, Head Boy at Skin in the Game Studios
Panellists:
Marcus Ryder - CEO of Film and TV Charity
Dr Paul Litchfield - Chief Medical Advisor to ITV
Laura Mansfield - Chief Executive, ScreenSkills
Andrew Berrie - Head of Corporate Partnerships, Mind
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