KU News Release

Kansas Public Radio health reporter wins national award

LAWRENCE — Bryan Thompson, health reporter for Kansas Public Radio, was one of 14 recipients of the 2009 Mental Health America Media Awards, recognizing excellence in reporting and portrayals of mental health issues during the previous year.

Thompson was recognized for his story “Greensburg’s Long Road To Recovery,” documenting how survivors of a massive 2007 tornado, which killed 13 people, are coping with the tragedy and how they and their community are recovering. Thompson grew up in the small town of Bucklin, just 20 miles from Greensburg. The report originally aired on May 5, 2008, as part of Thompson’s ongoing series, Kansas Health: A Prescription For Change.

“I got an e-mail from Mental Health America and thought it was a brush-off letter, so I nearly deleted it,” Thompson said. “When I opened it and read the line, ‘you’ve won the Mental Health America 2009 Media Awards competition,’ I was shocked. It’s really nice to be recognized for something I enjoy doing.”

You can hear Thompson’s report at KPR’s Web site, kpr.ku.edu.

Other winners included journalists from National Public Radio, PBS, the Sundance Channel, the Topeka Capital-Journal, the Wall Street Journal, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Newsweek and Science magazine. A special award was given to Steve Lopez of the Los Angeles Times for his stories about Nathaniel Ayers, which were made into the movie “The Soloist.”

Mental Health America — formerly the National Mental Health Association — describes itself as the country’s leading nonprofit organization dedicated to helping all people live mentally healthier lives. The organization has more than 320 affiliates nationwide. More information about Mental Health America is available at www.mentalhealthamerica.net.

David L. Stern, president and CEO of Mental Health America, said the awards are a way to publicize an issue that is too often underreported.

“The Media Awards bring together the very best mental health stories in print and broadcast media during 2008,” Stern said. “Informative and thought-provoking journalism is a powerful form of education, and we applaud these journalists for helping shape public understanding of these critical issues.”

Entries were judged by a committee of journalists selected by Mental Health America for their knowledge of mental health issues, demonstrated excellence in reporting and editorial experience. The award winners were honored at a luncheon in Washington, D.C. Thompson did not attend but sent a video acceptance speech.

KPR, licensed to the University of Kansas, broadcasts on KANU 91.5 FM in Lawrence, KANH 89.7 FM in Emporia, KANV 91.3 FM in Olsburg-Junction City, K210CR 89.9 FM in Atchison, and K258BT 99.5 FM and K252EV 98.3 FM in Manhattan. KPR can be heard on the Internet at kpr.ku.edu. KPR also operates KPR2, a news-talk channel on HD Radio. Those broadcasts can be heard on a high-definition receiver or on KPR’s Web site.

-30-

The University of Kansas is a major comprehensive research and teaching university. University Relations is the central public relations office for KU's Lawrence campus.