Last month, @national_press selected 12 journalists for their Covering Workplace Mental Health fellowship in D.C., May 13-14. What an incredible experience hearing from expert speakers within the psychology and business fields.
The journalists are: KJ Bannan, Janeane Bernstein, EdD, Barry Bottino, Erin Chan Ding, Nicole Flanagan, Courtenay Harris Bond, Ali Hickerson, Anna Hu, My Ly, Julia Métraux, Melba N. and Courtney Wise Randolph.
This program is sponsored by @theluvuproject, with associate sponsor the @apa_org.
Sharing this thought-provoking experience below!
photo credit: @national_press
photo credit: @national_press
photo credit: @national_press
Front row: Jon Schuppe of NBC News, Mackenzie Mays of Bloomberg Law, Rachel Jones National Press Foundation
Back row: Barry Bottino, Julia Métraux, Nicole Flanagan, C. Richard (“Rich”) Mattingly co-founder of The Luv u Project, Courtney Wise Randolph, My Ly, Ali Hickerson, Anna Hu, Janeane Bernstein, Erin Chan Ding,KJ Bannan, and Courtenay Harris Bond. not pictured: Melba Newsome
I was honored to receive a journalism fellowship from the National Press Foundation focused on workplace mental health and to spend last week in Washington, DC, immersed in deeply thought-provoking conversations about one of the most urgent issues of our time.
Under the thoughtful leadership of Rachel Jones, Director of Journalism Initiatives at the National Press Foundation, and her outstanding Program Coordinator Celia Heudebourg Milch. we learned from an extraordinary group of experts in mental health and well-being, including
Barb Solish (NAMI), Justine Mitsock (Lyra Health), Betsy Schwartz (American Psychiatric Association Foundation), Melissa Zuckerman Armstrong (Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation), Christi Venable (Smile Therapy Services), Brigid Schulte (Better Life Lab at New America), Tori Espensen (SciLine), Ian Shea (I M Human), and Doug Reynolds (APTMetrics).
It was also an honor to learn more about @theluvuproject and attend the Mattingly Award ceremony at The Press Club, featuring the exceptional investigative reporting of Mackenzie Mays (Bloomberg Law) and Jonathan Schuppe (NBC News), whose powerful work is helping drive legislative reform to better protect the rights of pregnant women in jails.
I left Washington, DC feeling energized, inspired, and even more committed to telling stories that advance important conversations around mental health, workplace well-being, human connection, and the betterment of humanity.
I was also deeply moved by the powerful connection forged among my fellow fellows—a reminder that connection, shared purpose, and meaningful mental health initiatives are essential to creating healthier humans and a healthier society.
The truth is, our systems are fractured, and we are long overdue for meaningful change across society. Imagine a world without stigma—where people receive the mental health support, compassion, and care they need and deserve.
Better yet, let’s not just imagine it. Let’s create it.
photo credit: @national_press
About The Luv u Project:
Mackenzie Mays of Bloomberg Law and Jon Schuppe of NBC News won the 2025 Carolyn C. Mattingly Award for Mental Health Reporting.
The Carolyn C. Mattingly Award was established in 2015 by the National Press Foundation and The Luv u Project, in memory of Carolyn C. Mattingly, a Potomac, Maryland, philanthropist and activist, following her tragic death in 2014. It recognizes exemplary journalism that illuminates and advances the understanding of mental health issues and treatments. The award carries a $10,000 prize and is given annually for work published in the previous calendar year.
