SOUND Communication today proudly announces its (slightly intermittent) Annual Media Awards….

And already the nominations are flowing in.

Step forward the Manchester Evening News, the first print publication to win a prized gong.

For the most crass, offensive and distasteful contribution to the subject of mental health awareness, we have no hesitation in nominating the MEN’s Business Matters column of  Thursday 27th August 2009, written by Employment Law Consultant, Paul Davidge, for this shocking headline:

“Is the issue of mental health driving employers mad?”

Whilst this headline was, no doubt, the product of an exodus of journalistic sub-editing talent caused by the Guardian Media Group’s swingeing cuts, we do not think there is any excuse for this kind of glib, ignorant and insensitive description of an incredibly serious subject.

It’s not funny. And it’s not clever.

We hope the writer, Mr Davidge dissassociates himself from this kind of drivel. Perhaps he should seek a public apology?

The Manchester Evening News – once one of Britain’s great regional newspapers – should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves.

• Interestingly, the on-line version of the column does not contain the offending headline. Thankfully.