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Mike Gourley

Freelance Producer
National Radio and Long White
Cloud Productions
Wellington, New Zealand

Topic: Relationships between media portrayal of mental illness issues and effects on public perception

Published Work:

Too Good an Opportunity to Be Missed
'Lil' ol' New Zealand made one of its infrequent dents on the American psyche a few nights ago, with the world premiere of The Lord of the Rings – the Two Towers in New York City. No doubt the spookiness of the title wasn't lost on New Yorkers. And it made me think again of the events that unfolded on the morning of 911 – the first day of our induction into the world of the Rosalynn Carter Fellowship in Mental Health Journalism. An auspicious start to the inclusion of New Zealanders in the programme.

It has been three years since New Zealand Sign Language was made New Zealand's third official language. This week the Deaf community has been celebrating the recognition of their first language as having the same status as the Reo Maori and English, and we're on location at the official launch of New Zealand Sign Language week. To mark the occasion, Radio New Zealand is broadcast the programme in visual as well as audio formats.

A story of recovery from Lake Alice Hospital to care in the community; Judy Small, who convenes the Office for Disability Issues Nominations Service; and aging with a life-long disability

Blurb Special Olympics goes global with Athletes Leadership; and a case of laughter the best medicine: a dose of Like Minds' campaigner Taimi Allan.

It's a case of cross-cultural communication. Later east meets west in psychiatry. But first, an art exhibition that's breaking the sound barrier. Up a flight of stairs to the Roar gallery in Wellington and it doesn't take long to see why.

Filmmaker, writer, and blogger Chris Banks investigates

US Immigration discrimination against mentally disabled people exposed, and outgoing Human Rights Commissioner Robyn Hunt looks back on eight years of service.

Some supersized disability advice for the oncoming Super City; and the woman who wants to publish the stories of others like herself, living with bipolar.

It's official - singing together is good for you. And the former farming auctioneer who's sounding the alarm over rural mental health.

An intrepid disabled kiwi globetrotter; speaking about barriers to work; and the mental health and disability consultant who's got serious fun in mind.