2017 Mental Health Matters award winners announced

Community groups and individuals from across New South Wales have been recognised for their efforts promoting mental health and wellness programs in their local communities, for the 2017 Mental Health Matters Awards.

This year’s award winners were announced today during a lunch marking the official launch of Mental Health Month, held in New South Wales Parliament House.

“Our award winners this year continue to show how people and community groups can do incredible work in their local community to help promote better mental health and wellness in their area,” said WayAhead Chief Executive Officer Elizabeth Priestley.

The NSW Minister for Mental Health the Hon Tanya Davies MP, presented the awards and said she was honoured to be a part of such an important event on the NSW health calendar.

“We know mental illness does not discriminate, and can touch the lives of people anywhere, which is why we must acknowledge and support the vital work of people and organisations across the mental health care sector,” Mrs Davies said.

“Today’s winners are at the forefront of making a difference to the lives of people living with a mental illness, and we must continue to work together to give the best possible care to people who need it most.”

Each year, WayAhead –Mental Health Association NSW, hosts the Mental Health Matters Awards. In 2017 nine awards were awarded for various projects.

This year’s award winners are:

Outreach – Expressive Therapy Program, KidsXpress

Excellence in Service Delivery Award

Sub-Conscious Understanding for better Awareness (SCUBA) Initiative, Mind Blank Ltd

Mental Health Promotion and Wellbeing Award (joint award winner)

Positive Choices NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Mental Health and Substance Use, National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW

Mental Health Promotion and Wellbeing Award (joint award winner)

Improving the capacity of community-based workers to provide assistance for mental health problems to Iraqi refugees in Australia – The Translational Health Research Institute – School of Medicine – Western Sydney University

Culturally and Linguistically Diverse community Award

Stories of Lived Experience, Weave Youth and Community Services

Aboriginal Social and Emotional Wellbeing Award

Grow NSW, Grow

Lived Experience Award

Peter Heggie, National mental Health Consumer Carer Forum

Carer Recognition Award

My Year 12 Life, Princess Pictures

Media Award

Act-Belong-Commit, Anson Street School

Mental Health and Wellness Workplaces Award

The Clarence Youth Action Group, Clarence Valley Council

Mental Health Commissioner Community Champion Award

 

View Award Winners and videos HERE