Cindy Uken - Health Journalism Fellow

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Fellow

Cindy Uken

Health/Medical

Billings Gazette

About Myself:

I am currently covering medical issues for the Billings Gazette, Montana's largest newspaper, where I have been since September 2010.

I have worked at newspapers in South Dakota, Minnesota, California and Montana. Before coming to the Billings Gazette, I worked as the editorial page editor and columnist at The Desert Sun in Palm Springs.

While in Palm Springs, I was named one of Gannett's Top Ten Supervisors of the Year primarily for helping lead the effort to create a web site that run by youth, for youth.

In December 2011 I received a one-week fellowship to study at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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Cindy Uken

Montana

Awards and Updates

2013-2014 Rosalynn Carter Fellowship for Mental Health Journalism - awarded by The Carter Center

The 17th annual class of fellows includes six from the United States, two from Romania, and for the first time, two teams from Columbia. Carter Center fellows receive intensive training from leading mental health and journalism experts to report on a mental health topic of their choice.

Mental illnesses are among the most common health conditions in the world, yet sensationalized news coverage or underreporting of these issues can perpetuate public misunderstanding and prevent people from seeking effective treatment.

The fellowship program is part of the Carter Center's Mental Health Program, which works around the world to provide the public with accurate and balanced depictions of those with mental illnesses to reduce stigma and discrimination. The program also seeks to increase access to mental health services and inform mental health public policy.

Best special section - awarded by Montana Newspaper Association

Awarded for a special section on "Innovations and Quality in Health Care."

Best justice system - awarded by Montana Newspaper Association

Awarded for a profile of a domestic torture survivor who now helps others.

Cindy Uken's Blog
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Montana’s struggle with highest suicide rate in nation

There has been little public conversation and awareness about Montana's high suicide rates. That... more »
posted 12/18/12

Examining Montana's struggle with mental health care

Montana is a vast, frontier state with many small towns scattered in rural counties. A few of... more »
posted 07/16/12

Cindy Uken's Work
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Project: Governor signs legislation creating statewide Suicide Review Team

Cindy Uken's series on suicide in Montana for the Billings Gazette got the attention of state policymakers, who are now beginning to make some changes....

Project: 'I didn't think he would do it,' mother says

Jackie YellowTail dares to break the Crow taboo by calling out the name of her dead son. She wants to break the stigma of suicide, especially on Indian reservations.

Project: 4-year-old: 'Bee's got a gun'

A mom recounts the story of how she and her grandchildren witnessed the suicide of her son. “I was hoping there wouldn’t be too much damage," she said. "We tried to sit him up so he didn’t choke. Then I reached over and felt his pulse. I knew he was gone."

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