The Benjamin von Sternenfels Rosenthal Grant for Mental Health Investigative Journalism
The Benjamin von Sternenfels Rosenthal Grant for Mental Health Investigative Journalism
Benjamin von Sternenfels Rosenthal
“The stories this fellowship supports should shine a light on mental illness and expose issues that can lead to understanding and solutions for a problem that has, for too long, been kept in the shadows.”
– von Sternenfels and Rosenthal families
In Ben’s Words Preview modal-
Note of Gratitude Benjamin v. Sternenfels Rosenthal
April 12 1993 – August 19, 2019
I drop down to a knee and praise the life I’ve been given, as the warmth of the sun and a feeling of universal love overtakes my senses. I embark upon a peaceful journey within my mind, as I release the stresses that have plagued me in my past.
I have come to accept the fact that out of darkness comes light, and that this revelation is not something to be skeptical, or fearful of, but rather cherished as divinity.
I plant my sword of determination into the earth and push myself up upon its gleaming hilt as an immeasurable gratitude radiates from my being and I wonder at the mystique of the ever-expanding universe.
I gaze over the railing of a wooden bridge and watch as a leaf spins on the surface of the pool, the tranquility of its motion soothes me as I find renewal in the cool shade.
How many days have I spent battering my wellbeing for the sake of a nightmare masquerading as a dream? How many days have I spent wallowing within the faded walls of a crumbling ruin in the plains of depression, simply because my pride blinded me to my own worth?
Surely, there are too many days like this to remember, too many hours wasted within a perpetual sunset to recall them all. But then I think again, as I view my past through a different lens.
How many grateful nights did the mountain’s fog cool the bed of moss upon which I slept so soundly, as I lay beneath the freshest blanket of mist?
How many mornings did I wake to see the light of the sun coloring the beautiful world around me?
How many breaths of fresh air gave me another chance to feel alive, and well again?
Surely, I can remember those moments in greater clarity than I can the days of gloom, but how nice it would be, to be able to forget those days of gloom.
Yet despite the challenges of my past, and the lingering effect they may have on me today, I still find great value in them, for they have opened my mind to the importance of gratitude at all times, despite the moment you may be in.
Despite the value in those days, how nice it would be, to have perfect clarity on the best days, and simply forget the rest.
How nice it would be to see the moss growing on the north side of the trees as I walk through the forest, green beds of hope pointing me in the direction of light and happiness, just as the legends of the Underground Railroad have said to be true.
How nice it would be to stand with my hand on the bark of a tree, the spiraling mist assuring me that everything is good, and meant to be in this aromatic grove as the planet’s mystique attains an infinite clarity and abundance within my mind.
How nice it is to know that the shores of a lake, or the views from a cliffside are never too far away, and that they may always remind me to appreciate the life that I have been given.
Dare I forget.
Dare I forget the laws of physics bind every man no matter how powerful he may be. Dare I forget the laws of physics are the easiest to overlook when life is at its best. Dare I forget that the simplest lever, can upend the greatest stone. It is for this reason that we must never forget those laws of attraction and the equally important laws of distraction. The pitfall of any rise is the nature of the surface below and the ascenders ignorance of the obstacles it poses.
The myth of Icarus is a timeless legend, and those who understand its value have learned a lesson that is rarely taught in any classroom; that success is something one must handle with the greatest care, concentration, and gratitude, lest you assume the fate of Icarus.
The contentment I feel at the end of a virtuous and fulfilling day is the envy of my past despairs, and they do not hesitate to force themselves back into my life if I falter in the slightest way. My past despairs compel me to seek vengeance upon them by blinding me to the progress I have worked so hard to achieve, and they will tear me from the good things in my life by making me seethe with avarice and pride if I fail to recognize them.
The sense of contentment I feel after finally reaching a place of wellbeing after spending so many years confounded by emotional turmoil and distress seems artificial, and ephemeral. It seems as though a sense of contentment is not meant for me, for it is the opposite of which I have become so accustomed to.
The foundation of trust that comes with the strengthening of the mind and body has been eroded from my being, and everything around me seems to reflect my feelings of instability. The brutal nature of persistence I have had to embody in order rise up from a place of despair may be admirable and everlasting in itself, yet it has made me suspicious of life itself, and the has ripped away the confidence I once had in the world around me.
It is not enough to overcome the challenges of my past, to attain a foothold of relative stability in the eyes of my peers. I must remember for myself that there is darkness still emanating from my past memories, and that they will disguise themselves as worthy inspirations to follow again.
It is for this reason that I cannot falter.
I cannot sabotage the good things in my life with the false hope that exacerbating my despairs will propel me to greater heights. Though I may have righted my ship and regained the optimism that I once exuded, it is my responsibility to remember that my foundation is still damaged, and nightmares masquerading as dreams can still penetrate its core.
It is my responsibility to remember that in order to rebuild my foundation I must find ways to reassure myself of the genuine nature of any good thing in my life, and that they are not ephemeral.
It is for this reason that I cannot falter. It is for this reason that I must believe in my foundation again. I must trust the world around me and I will rid myself of past miseries and chains.
It is for this reason that I cannot falter.
The Benjamin von Sternenfels Rosenthal Grant was launched in 2020 by the Rosalynn Carter Fellowships for Mental Health Journalism in partnership with Reveal from The Center of Investigative Reporting. The award honors Ben von Sternenfels Rosenthal, a writer, athlete, devoted son, brother and friend to many from the San Francisco Bay area. He took his life in August 2019.
The journalist awarded this grant joins a talented cohort of Carter fellows from the United States and abroad tackling some of society’s biggest mental health challenges through their fellowship projects.
The grant is awarded annually to a gifted journalist who proposes an in-depth investigation into a mental health topic of their choice. The grantee’s project aims to hold a powerful person, institution or government actor accountable for harm or injustice related to mental health or substance use.
With this grant, the Rosenthal and von Sternenfels families support powerful stories that help dismantle stereotypes, remove stigma and humanize those who live with mental illnesses. They strongly believe that stories can be transformative, that stories told well and deeply-reported can create understanding and empathy.
The gift that launched this grant was donated to The Carter Center’s Rosalynn Carter Fellowships for Mental Health Journalism by Ben’s father and Center for Investigative Reporting board member Robert Rosenthal; Ben’s siblings, Adam and Ariella Rosenthal, and Ben’s mother, Inka v. Sternenfels.
Benjamin von Sternenfels Rosenthal April 12, 1993 – August 19, 2019
Benjamin von Sternenfels Rosenthal was a writer, elite athlete, devoted son, brother, and friend to many. His loved ones called him “Bimmy” or “Bim.” Ben had no tolerance for bullies and was acutely sensitive to inequities and the struggles of others. As he navigated living with a mental illness, Ben leaned on his gift for writing with sharpness and humor by penning fiction, short stories, essays, screenplays and a novel. It is where he found peace and respite from anguish. He rarely shared what he wrote.In the weeks leading up to August 19, 2019, when Ben took his life, he wrote a great deal. After Ben died, his family found a trove of his writing-his final words gifts for those who loved him. They were words not of anger and pain. But of understanding, grace, serenity and love.Ben is survived by his mother, Inka v. Sternenfels; his brother Adam; sister, Ariella; father Robert and many cousins, aunts, uncles and friends.
This button will take you to cartercenter.org. To donate to this grant, select “Rosenthal Mental Health Investigative Journalism Fellowship” under the “Gift Purpose” dropdown menu.
Benjamin von Sternenfels Rosenthal, second from left, pictured with his family.
“It is hard to imagine what it is like for the individual who suffers and struggles with mental illness. For the families and those who love those individuals there is also a terrible and endless struggle.”
– von Sternenfels Rosenthal families
Read more about Ben, in his family’s words
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When Ben was young, he began writing stories on small pieces of paper that he would illustrate and staple together into books. He had a natural ability to write descriptive narrative-and make you laugh. Ben was a gentle, sweet soul, his family will tell you.
Ben grew into an elite athlete who loved every game, but thrived in lacrosse with his unique combination of speed, skill, power and agility. He also lived with anxiety and depression. It was a hard journey for both Ben and his family.
One outlet Ben trusted to explain himself was through writing. His imagination was vivid and well-informed by popular culture, history and politics.
Over time, Ben’s demons grew. And in the end, they overwhelmed him, rippling through the family like a large stone tossed into a still pond. But what so many people remember about Ben was the laughter he sparked and the fierce love he shared with those in his space.
For Ben’s family, their respect and honor for Ben, and his struggles, live on through the good work of every investigative journalist awarded the Benjamin von Sternenfels Rosenthal.
– von Sternenfels and Rosenthal families
The Benjamin von Sternenfels Rosenthal Grantee – 2023-2024 Evey Wilson Wetherbee
Evey Wilson Wetherbee
2023-2024 | United States
Benjamin Von Sternenfels Rosenthal Grantee for Mental Health Investigative Journalism
Evey Wilson Wetherbee is an Assistant Professor of Practice in Journalism at Mercer University. Prior to this, she worked as a producer at the Pulitzer Center in Washington, D.C. and freelanced for publications like the New Yorker, ProPublica, WABE, and Instagram. She now works as an educator and continues to report as a Journalist in Residence at Mercer University, often working with their partner publications and newsrooms including the Macon Telegraph, Macon Newsroom, WMAZ, and Georgia Public Broadcasting. Wetherbee double majored in Journalism and Religion at the University of Georgia before becoming a full-time photojournalist for daily and weekly papers. She received her master’s at UNC-Chapel Hill as a Roy H. Park fellow at the Hussmann School of Journalism and Media. She was a finalist for the 2022 Livingston Award in local reporting for her investigative documentary, Saving Juliette, which chronicled one small town’s fight for clean water against the largest coal-burning power plant in the Western Hemisphere. This film screened in festivals nationally and was nominated for an Emmy. It is now available on PBS. Wetherbee’s latest project is a six-part investigative podcast called Prison Town. After a year of reporting, she uses one prison in South Georgia as a case study to explore systemic issues within the Georgia Department of Corrections.
Topic
The Benjamin von Sternenfels Rosenthal Grantee – 2022-2023 Jonathan A. Davis
Jonathan A. Davis
2022 | United States Benjamin von Sternenfels Rosenthal Grantee for Mental Health Investigative Journalism
Jonathan A. Davis is an radio reporter, producer, and editor. He has worked in various newsrooms, on audio series for two public radio stations, and on a variety of independent podcast series. This includes serving as associate producer on The Intersection, the Edward R Murrow Award Winning audio series coming out of San Francisco’s NPR affiliate station KALW. During his time as a reporter and producer, the series also won San Francisco Press Club’s first place prize for best radio documentary. Beyond his public radio work, he has helped develop four independent podcasts from scratch including serving as producer and editor on those series.
Prior to working as a radio maker with KALW, he was a part of their Summer Journalism Fellowship and training program. He has also reported and produced news stories for KPFA, the legendary Pacifica Network outpost in Berkeley, Ca. Before audio journalism, Jonathan worked in a variety of other sectors including management consulting, sustainability consulting, financial services, workforce development, philanthropy, and the non-profit world; his two degrees are in Accounting / Business Management and Sustainability Studies. He says getting to tell the world’s stories through the magical medium of audio / radio / podcasts / synonyms is an honor. And he believes his non-linear career path helps bring forward unique perspectives that inform the stories he tells.
Topic
Advisors
Aaron Glantz
Aaron Glantz is senior investigations editor at NPR’s California newsroom. He was previously a senior reporter at Reveal. Glantz is the author of “Homewreckers: How a Gang of Wall Street Kingpins, Hedge Fund Magnates, Crooked Banks, and Vulture Capitalists Suckered Millions Out of Their Homes and Demolished the American Dream.” Glantz produces journalism with impact. His work has sparked more than a dozen congressional hearings, numerous laws and criminal probes by the Drug Enforcement Administration, FBI, Pentagon and Federal Trade Commission. A two-time Peabody Award winner, finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, multiple Emmy Award nominee and former John S. Knight journalism fellow at Stanford University, Glantz has had his work appear in The New York Times, Chicago Tribune, NBC Nightly News, Good Morning America and PBS NewsHour. His previous books include “The War Comes Home” and “How America Lost Iraq.”
Robert J. Rosenthal
Robert J. Rosenthal joined CIR as executive director in 2008, a position he held until 2017. Rosenthal worked for 22 years at The Philadelphia Inquirer, starting as a reporter and becoming its executive editor in 1998. He became managing editor of the San Francisco Chronicle in 2002. Before joining the Inquirer in 1979, Rosenthal worked as a reporter for The Boston Globe and The New York Times, where he was a news assistant on the foreign desk and an editorial assistant on the Pulitzer Prize-winning Pentagon Papers project. As a reporter, Rosenthal won numerous awards, including the Overseas Press Club Award for magazine writing, the Sigma Delta Chi Award for distinguished foreign correspondence and the National Association of Black Journalists Award for Third World Reporting. Rosenthal was a Pulitzer Prize judge four times and was a Pulitzer Prize finalist in international reporting.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Benjamin von Sternenfels Rosenthal Grant for Mental Health Investigative Journalism?
The Benjamin von Sternenfels Rosenthal Grant for Mental Health Investigative Journalism is awarded annually to a gifted journalist who proposes an in-depth investigation into a mental health topic of their choice. The grantee’s project aims to hold a powerful person, institution or government actor accountable for harm or injustice related to mental health or substance use.
The Benjamin von Sternenfels Rosenthal Grant was launched in 2020 by the Rosalynn Carter Fellowships for Mental Health Journalism in partnership with Reveal from the Center of Investigative Reporting. The award honors Ben von Sternenfels Rosenthal, a writer, athlete, devoted son, brother and friend. Ben lived in the San Francisco Bay Area. He took his life in August 2019.
With this grant, the Rosenthal and von Sternenfels families support powerful stories that help dismantle stereotypes and humanize mental illness. They strongly believe that stories can be transformative, that stories told well and deeply-reported can create understanding and empathy.
The gift that launched this grant was donated to The Carter Center’s Rosalynn Carter Fellowships for Mental Health Journalism by Ben’s father and Center for Investigative Reporting board member Robert Rosenthal, Ben’s siblings, Adam and Ariella Rosenthal, and Ben’s mother, Inka v. Sternenfels.
Who was Benjamin von Sternenfels Rosenthal?
Benjamin von Sternenfels Rosenthal was a writer, elite athlete, devoted son, brother, and friend. His loved ones called him “Bimmy” or “Bim.” Ben had no tolerance for bullies and was acutely sensitive to inequities and the struggles of others.
As he navigated living with a mental illness, Ben leaned on his gift for writing with sharpness and humor by penning fiction, short stories, essays, screenplays and a novel. It is where he found peace and respite from anguish. He rarely shared what he wrote.
In the weeks leading up to August 19, 2019, when Ben took his life, he wrote a great deal. After Ben died, his family found a trove of his writing-his final words gifts for those who loved him. They were words not of anger and pain. But of understanding, grace, serenity and love.
Ben is survived by his mother Inka v. Sternenfels, siblings Adam and Ariella, father Robert J. Rosenthal, and many cousins, aunts, uncles and friends.
What’s the difference between the Rosalynn Carter Fellowships for Mental Health Journalism and the Benjamin von Sternenfels Rosenthal Grant for Mental Health Investigative Journalism?
The recipient of the Benjamin von Sternenfels Rosenthal Grant for Mental Health Investigative Journalism is awarded the grant under the Rosalynn Carter Fellowships for Mental Health Journalism.
The grantee is one of eight U.S. fellows selected annually to join a talented cohort of Carter Fellows from the United States and abroad tackling some of society’s biggest mental health challenges through their fellowship projects.
Since 1996, more than 225 journalists have been awarded the highly-competitive Carter fellowships.
How is the grantee selected?
The annual grantee is selected by a committee of current and former journalists, mental health experts, the Fellowship Advisory Board and Reveal, with an emphasis on diversity, empathy and storytelling, holding the powerful accountable, potential for impact and the communities their fellowships project will cover.
How is the grantee supported?
As all Carter Center U.S. fellows do, the grantee receives receive intensive training from leading behavioral health and journalism experts and a $10,000 stipend to report on an investigative mental health topic of their choice.
Fellows’ experience includes effective training on behavioral health reporting from past fellows and advisors, connecting with alumni, mentorship from the Fellowship Advisory Board and investigative journalists, and a deeper understanding of behavioral health.
How is the grant funded?
The gift that launched this grant was donated to the Carter Center’s Rosalynn Carter Fellowships for Mental Health Journalism by Ben’s father and Center for Investigative Reporting board member Robert Rosenthal; Ben’s siblings, Adam and Ariella Rosenthal, and Ben’s mother, Inka v. Sternenfels.
Is experience in mental health reporting or as an investigative journalist required?
Previous experience in mental health reporting isn’t necessary to apply for this fellowship. Because the fellowships are highly-competitive, we recommend having experience in investigative reporting before applying for the grant.
How can I apply for the Benjamin von Sternenfels Rosenthal Grant for Mental Health Investigative Journalism?
When the application is open, you can find it here. To apply, select “Benjamin von Sternenfels Rosenthal Grant for Mental Health Investigative Journalism” from the dropdown menu.
What are the requirements to apply for this grant?
Applicants must have at least three years of experience as a journalist or working directly in journalism. Blogging, academic writing, and public relations do not count toward journalism experience. Experience in mental health is not required.
Because the fellowships are highly-competitive, we recommend having experience in investigative reporting before applying for the Benjamin von Sternenfels Rosenthal Grant for Mental Health Investigative Journalism.
Applicants must submit a full fellowship application and be available to attend training in September at the beginning and end of the fellowship year.
Applicants must be citizens or residents of the United States.
What is the deadline to apply for this grant?