Helen's experience of being interviewed by The Sun newspaper
Helen Gilburt was interviewed by Emma Morton for The Sun in 2002 about her experience of mental illness and stigma. The interview was given a special commendation in Mind’s Journalist of the Year Awards.
The woman who interviewed me was very calm and professional. She made me feel comfortable, particularly since she came to my home. We talked for about 30 minutes and she used a digital recorder, which she explained to me and the process of the interview. She did not force questions but let me talk. It was a very cathartic experience, I felt listened to for the first time.
Helen
“She got me to talk about stigma and my experiences and then asked for information when she wanted to know more about something I had said. I found it easy to explain my key messages. I had the space to talk and I knew what I wanted to say. I never felt forced and she listened and validated what I said.
The interview took about 30 minutes and was face-to-face. Afterwards I felt empowered and I was pleased I had participated. It was one of the first times I felt I’d actually told my part of the story and someone had listened.
Because it was just me and her I felt more able to talk and I felt she was there to see me and felt comfortable with me, didn’t need anyone else there. I felt privileged.
One of the most difficult things I have found is knowing who to tell in the first place that you have an interview. Remember, the journalist may publish some quite detailed information about you and your illness.
While you want to tell the world you are in The Sun, a week later when your mum tells your relatives and they start asking awkward questions at the next get together, you may regret it.
Before the interview, think about the information you are given about the piece and the newspaper and feel free to ring up the Rethink media team to ask a bit more. Then make a list of any questions that you have.
The questions need to be basically practical; what do they want you to talk about, what is the angle of the piece. They may not know this but don’t start to argue points with journalists, the person you see is not really there to justify what they are doing, just to get a job done.
Once the interview is over, ask them if they could let you know if it gets published. Many of the newspapers and television channels record interviews but if a hot piece of news hits the headlines, your piece may get dropped.
If you do not get published, don’t give up. I know it makes you feel devalued but there will be other
opportunities to get your story out there. Wouldn’t you like to published somewhere where you are high priority rather than a filler piece?”
