FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 13, 2019

WNED ǀ WBFO Media Contact: Dallas Taylor Content Associate (716) 845.7000 x192 • [email protected]

WBFO’s Mental Health Initiative Receives National Media Award from Mental Health America

WBFO-FM 88.7’s Mental Health Initiative will receive national recognition today for the impact it’s made in the community. Mental Health America (MHA) will award WBFO-FM 88.7 with the 2019 Media Award at MHA’s 2019 Annual Conference on June 14 in Washington, DC. WBFO is one of six to receive the honor.

The award will be given to the station and former WBFO reporter Eileen Buckley for their work on the two-year Mental Health Initiative project funded by the Patrick P. Lee Foundation. The project provides in-depth coverage of mental health issues and helps to build the mental health literacy of the community. WBFO reporter Nick Lippa is now the lead reporter on the project.

“To be recognized nationally for the work we’re doing on the Mental Health Initiative is a huge honor,” said Dave Debo, WBFO News Director. “The goal of this reporting is to normalize the conversation about mental health. Our newsroom is making sure these conversations happen openly in our community and help remove stigma around mental health.”

Stories under the Mental Health Initiative include a piece on an apartment complex extending its units for those with diagnosed mental health concerns and a story about Buffalo high school students raising funds in the name of mental health. Visit WBFO’s website for more Mental Health Initiative stories.

“The Mental Health Initiative sheds light on the complexities of mental illnesses and fosters important community discussion,” said Jane Mogavero, Executive Director of the Patrick P. Lee Foundation. “WBFO’s commitment to the Initiative is evident in the thoughtful way they approach each piece. They have been an exceptional partner and we are thrilled they have been recognized with this national award.”

MHA’s 2019 Media Award recognizes journalists, authors, digital platforms, media outlets, television shows, and filmmakers that have tackled the issues of mental illness and addiction – and in doing so, have educated, informed, and broken down stigma and shame around these issues.

Mental Health America – founded in 1909 – is the nation’s leading community-based non-profit dedicated to helping all Americans achieve wellness by living mentally healthier lives.

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About WNED | WBFO The WNED | WBFO family of stations broadcasts PBS, NPR and Classical music programming throughout the Western New York and Southern Ontario regions. These high-quality programs and community outreach services inform, enlighten, entertain and educate our local and regional communities. Our member-supported stations include WNED-TV (PBS), WBFO-FM 88.7 (NPR), Classical 94.5 WNED, JazzWorks, WNED thinkbright Create and PBS KIDS 24/7. WNED-TV is also a national producer of award-winning documentaries. Additional information about WNED ǀ WBFO can be found at wned.org.