FACE Mental Illness

Contacting Media

Another way to let people in your community know about your activity is through the media, including newspapers and other print publications, radio, TV and the Internet.

  • Designate a specific person in your group to deal with the media, both to stimulate interest and to respond to inquiries. Choose someone who can be easily reached throughout the day.
  • Consult with and compile a list of psychiatrists, social workers, nurses, psychologists, family members, consumer survivors and others who can speak articulately and knowledgeably about mental illness. Have your designated media contact person refer media to these people.
  • Establish and maintain a relationship with your local media and brief them on mental illness issues. The more regular contact you have with reporters, the more likely you will be to get coverage. Tell the media about your activity three weeks before it is going to happen if possible.
  • Work with staff writers and editors, but also contact freelance writers as a good way of getting coverage.
  • Get the editorial outline of magazines, other periodicals or health shows on television or the radio and suggest stories on mental illness tailored to what you are planning.
  • Get to know what journalists want: information that is timely, relevant and entertaining. Give journalists the story behind the news and remember they write for different readers. It helps to know who is reading their articles and what information the reader needs or wants. Give journalists an angle and the context and content of potential stories.
  • Make life easy for journalists and remember they are working under tight deadlines. Provide them with facts and figures on mental illness. Provide information or releases on an embargoed basis if appropriate so that journalists will have time to do more research and make contacts.
  • Schedule press conferences in the morning so that journalists have time to prepare for the 6 p.m. nightly newscast and to write articles for the next day’s newspaper.
  • Invite members of the media on a tour of your program or activity so that they can see first-hand what you are talking about.
  • Plan a photo opportunity during your MIAW activity. Remind journalists of the photo op the day before.
  • Many newspapers offer a forum for opinion pieces on their editorial pages. You might also consider writing a letter to the editor that includes facts and figures about mental illness. Talk about issues and mention anecdotes that are relevant to your community.
  • Ask local newspapers and radio or television stations to run public service announcements (PSAs) about MIAW or your activity in particular. Find out the media outlet’s preferred format and length for a PSA.

Submit details about your event for inclusion in newspaper, radio and television public events calendars.

Tips for Writing News Releases

     
  • Package your news in a language journalists understand. Use short, punchy sentences and simple language. Write the way you speak. Remember: in writing, less is more.
  • Include the "who, what, where, when and why" of your activity in the release.
  • A news release should generate media attention to your story, but not tell the whole story.
  • Include some quotes in your press release so that the media can use them in their stories.
  • Include contacts who the media can call for more information. If possible, include more than one contact. The media like to talk to various people to get different perspectives on an activity.

Consider including a  one-page fact or tip sheet with your press release.