Deadline: 21-Sep-2025
The Shine Media Awards are seeking submissions for exceptional media work that deals with stories related to mental health.
The objective of the Awards is to give national recognition to media items which: foster greater public understanding of mental health issues and mental health recovery; challenge stereotypes and stigma associated with mental health difficulties with the highest standard of journalism and storytelling; inform and educate audiences as to the lived experience of people living with mental health difficulties; and disclose practices or procedures needing reform so as to encourage the development and modernisation of Ireland’s mental health services
The award categories are: Print & Online | National, Print & Online | Local, Print & Online | Special Interest, Digital Content, Broadcast | Long Form, Broadcast | Short Form, Student Journalism Award, Special Recognition Award, Mental Health Series | supported by HSE Mental Health Recovery & Engagement, Shine Audience Choice Award, and Refugee Mental Health Award | supported by UNHCR and Irish Red Cross.
Entries for the awards are now open and will close at midnight on September 21, 2025. Only work originally published or broadcast between September 23, 2024, and September 21, 2025, will be considered. The principal authors of the work must be media professionals who ordinarily work in Ireland or for Irish-based publications, with some exceptions for specific categories. All entries must be submitted via the online entry system and adhere to file size and format requirements.
Nominations may be made by a third party or by the nominee themselves. A single nominee may submit no more than two entries per category and no more than five entries across all categories. Third-party nominators may enter only one nominee per category. The volume of nominations will not impact the judges’ decision.
For student entrants, eligibility requires being a current student of a third-level course or a recent 2025 graduate. Submissions must not have received any professional editorial oversight. The winner of the Student Journalism Award will receive a one-week reporting placement and a bursary for expenses.
All entries related to suicide or self-harm must comply with the Samaritans Media Guidelines. Personal social media accounts will not be accepted as entries in any category. In November, a shortlist of five entries per category will be announced, and all shortlisted nominees will be invited to the awards ceremony in December where winners will be announced.
For more information, visit Shine.
