A STORY exploring the alarming rates of young Australians taking anti-depressant medication could kick-start the journalism career of one ECU student.
Lindsay Brennan won the Charmaine Dragun Memorial Award at the recent 2018 WA Youth Awards.
This award recognises an outstanding journalist, photographer, blogger or media contributor under the age of 25 who has committed to fair and balanced reporting on young people or youth issues.
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READ NOWBrennan’s win is even more of an achievement because she is still honing her craft at university – studying ECU’s Graduate Diploma of Broadcasting – but managed to beat two working journalists for the award.
Her nomination was for a current affairs radio package focusing on the increasing number of young people on anti-depressants.
“It all started because I was talking with friends and it shocked me to learn how many of them were taking anti-depressants, so I decided to look into it further,” the Connolly resident said.
“Last year the World Health Organisation found Australia has the second-highest anti-depressant usage in the world.
“Young people are particularly being prescribed the medication for mental illness brought on by every day stress from work, university and relationships.”
Brennan said she faced fierce competition from nominees Francesca Mann and Claire Dearle.
“It was fantastic to win the award and I hope it will be a great boost for my career,” she said.