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Do you want to make the media mind out for mental health?
Use the letters on this page as a starting point for sending powerful letters,
telling the media why they are getting the thumbs down for negative coverage
- or the thumbs up when they get things right!
Check out our media address book for
contact details of the main media regulators, and visit www.howtocomplain.com
for media contact details, plus more advice on making effective complaints.
Letters of Complaint 
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[your address]
[date]
[name of contact person]
[job title]
[company name]
[company address]
[company postcode]
Re:
[article name, programme title and episode, ad campaign etc.]
Dear [contact name or Madam/Sir],
On [date], I [read, saw, listened to] the [article
name, programme title, ad campaign] on / in [magazine, newspaper,
programme]. Please find enclosed a copy of the offending article.
I was very disappointed by your depiction of people with
mental health problems because [give details of the way in which the
media coverage was inflammatory, inaccurate or unfair and try to include
some facts to add weight to your argument].
I very much hope that you will respond with a [public
apology, retraction, change in policy]. I look forward to hearing
from you about how you intend to resolve this issue. If I have not heard
from you by [set a time limit] I will be taking up my complaint with
the [Advertising Standards Authority, Broadcasting Standards Commission,
Independent Television Commission, Press Complaints Commission] and
nominating you for Mind's Bigot of the Year awards.
Yours sincerely,
[sign]
[your name]
Enclosures: [state any documents you have enclosed]
Cc: [copy to a more senior member of staff at the organisation, and
insert their name / job title here]
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Letters of Praise 
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[your address]
[date]
[name of contact person]
[job title]
[company name]
[company address]
[company postcode]
Re:
[article name, programme title and episode, ad campaign etc.]
Dear [contact name or Madam/Sir],
On [date], I [read, saw, listened to] the
[article name, programme title, ad campaign] in [magazine, newspaper,
programme].
I was deeply moved and impressed by your coverage of mental
health issues because [give details of the way in which the media coverage
will help to reduce stigma, and try to include some facts to illustrate
this].
I look forward to seeing more coverage like this, and will
be nominating you for [Mind's Journalist of the Year award / Mental
Health Media's Awards for positive broadcast coverage] in recognition
of your positive approach to mental health.
Yours sincerely,
[sign]
[your name]
Enclosures: [state any documents you have enclosed]
Cc: [copy to a more senior member of staff at the organisation, and
insert their name / job title here]
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Information on www.mindout.net is provided for general
information only, and should not be treated as a substitute for the advice
a health care professional. The mind out for mental health campaign is not liable
for the contents of any external internet sites listed, nor does it endorse
any commercial product or service mentioned or advised on those sites. Always
consult your GP if you are concerned about health.
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