esperanza Magazine's feature article Marriage Matters wins 2010 MHA Media Award

esperanza Magazine's feature article "Marriage Matters" has won a Mental Health America 2010 Media Award in the national magazine category.

esperanza Magazine was among 15 media outlets honored by MHA at an awards luncheon held June 12 during the advocacy organization's 2010 annual conference in Washington, DC.  The awards honor excellence in reporting and portrayals of mental health issues.

"Marriage Matters" appeared in the Summer 2009 issue of esperanza Magazine. Written by Sharon Anne Waldrop, the feature examined how couples are affected when one spouse has depression and what helps a marriage thrive under such conditions. The award-winning story can be read on esperanza's Web site, www.hopetocope.com

According to esperanza Magazine publisher Joanne Doan, "We are absolutely thrilled to receive this recognition from Mental Health America and view it as validation that esperanza (Spanish for "hope") is helping to bring a message of understanding, support and hope to those with depression and anxiety disorders."

David L. Shern, PhD, president and CEO of Mental Health America, said the Media Awards "bring together the very best mental health stories in print and broadcast media."  As a 2010 MHA Media Award winner, esperanza Magazine was in the company of Glamour, Redbook, National Public Radio and PBS.

A volunteer panel of media professionals, including judges from The Washington Post and CBS News, selected the winning entries for their educational value, outstanding quality, comprehensiveness and creativity in addressing timely issues in mental health.