About The Awards
The Mental Health Matters Awards celebrate individuals, groups, and organisations that have made a significant impact on mental health awareness, understanding, and services in NSW throughout the past year.
What is the Mental Health Matters Awards?
Each year Wayahead hosts the Mental Health Matters Awards honouring and acknowledging the accomplishments of individuals and organisations dedicated to improving understanding, awareness, service delivery, and the overall mental wellbeing of our communities in NSW throughout the previous year.
The event showcases the programs and achievements of mental health month award finalists across several categories, with special guest speakers and the opportunity for networking across the sector.
Mental Health Matters Awards Event 2026
Join us for the 2026 Mental Health Matters Awards, a semi-formal celebration of outstanding contributions to mental health in NSW. This prestigious event will honour individuals, organisations, and initiatives that have made a significant impact on mental health awareness, services, and support across NSW.
Check out the Wayahead Mental Health Matters Awards luncheon 2025
Checkout the Wayahead Mental Health Month awards 2025. It was a great event for all involved. Looking forward to next year.
About the Mental Health Matters Awards Nominations
How the Awards are Judged
Our judging panel includes independent mental health experts, sector professionals, past award recipients, and category specialists. Wayahead staff do not participate in the judging process.
Judging is based on the following criteria:
Innovation and Approach –
Is the nomination doing something new? Combining existing things in new ways? Or are they bringing new perspectives to existing systems? Is the approach taken by the nomination appropriate? Does it reach the people it aims to? Do the aims of the project match the approach taken?
Involvement –
How are consumers, carers, and/or community involved in the design, implementation, and evaluation of the nomination? Note: as a rule, we favour those which show clear evidence of consumer, carer, and/or community involvement in all stages. For the “Leadership through Lived Experience Award” this criterion is adjusted to focus on the leadership aspects, including demonstration of incorporating principles of consumer leadership, co-design, and building these skills in others.
Response –
How has the project been received and what impact has it had? Has the response been well received by the target audience/group? Has there been strong interest in the project or positive evaluation? Not all projects will have access to detailed evaluation techniques. Nominations will not be penalised for not having access to intricate evaluation techniques. Do the outcomes/response match the aims and/or are appropriate to the project.
Award Prizes
The winner of each award category will receive $1,000 and an engraved award plaquette.
Award Categories
Learn more about each award category below, including what each award represents and the key questions to answer when submitting a nomination.
This award recognises outstanding excellence and innovation in programs, projects, or initiatives that place young people at the centre of prevention and early intervention efforts. It honours work that strengthens wellbeing, builds resilience, and supports young people to access the tools, knowledge, and environments they need to thrive.
To nominate a candidate for this category, please provide supporting information addressing the following criteria (the supporting information should not exceed 1500 words).
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Provide a brief description of the program/project – including target group/s & aims.
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How were young people involved in the planning and implementation of this program/project?
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What were the early intervention/prevention strategies of this project/program?
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What were the measurable impacts of this project/program? (Include summarised evaluation data such as participation rates, outcomes or feedback, data collected from surveys).
This award celebrates small, grassroots, community‑driven groups, projects, and events that are dedicated to strengthening the mental health and wellbeing of marginalised communities, with a particular focus on people from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) backgrounds. It recognises initiatives that break down barriers, create culturally safe spaces, and support access to meaningful, culturally appropriate information and services.
Whether through ongoing peer‑support groups, local programs, or community events that raise awareness and foster connection, this award honours efforts that have made a genuine, positive difference in the lives of community members.
To nominate a candidate for this category, please provide supporting information addressing the following criteria (the supporting information should not exceed 1500 words).
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Provide a brief description of the program, project or initiative. Include information about community involvement in the planning, design, and implementation.
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What was the aim of this program, project or event?
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What are some of the key issues around mental health faced by the community which were targeted by this project/program or event, and how were these issues were addressed by the program/project/event?
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Provide a summary of the evaluation data, outcomes and any formal or informal feedback.
This award honours the programs, projects, individuals, and community‑led initiatives that make an exceptional contribution to strengthening the social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. It recognises those who uplift community resilience, nurture cultural identity, foster healing, and create environments where First Nations individuals, families, and communities can thrive in mind, spirit, and connection.
To nominate a candidate for this category, please provide supporting information addressing the following criteria (the supporting information should not exceed 1500 words).
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Please provide a brief summary of the program/project/service (including aims)
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How were First Nations people involved in the planning and implementation of this project?
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How does this program/project enhance the social and emotional wellbeing of First Nations communities?
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Provide a summary of the evaluation data, outcomes and any formal or informal feedback.
This award recognises outstanding excellence and innovation in mental health promotion activities, programs, or initiatives that meaningfully elevate community awareness, reduce stigma, and strengthen wellbeing. It honours efforts that inspire understanding, encourage early support‑seeking, and improve mental wellbeing and/or mental ill-health.
To nominate a candidate for this category, please provide supporting information addressing the following criteria (the supporting information should not exceed 1500 words).
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Please provide a brief summary of the program/project/service (including aims)
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What were the aims of this program or project?
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How did the project or program achieve its aims/ objectives?
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Provide a summary of the evaluation data, outcomes and any formal or informal feedback.
This award honours an individual with lived experience of mental ill-health, mental illness, or someone caring for a person with lived experience, who has shown outstanding leadership in amplifying lived‑experience voices and advancing meaningful social change that improves the lives of others on similar journeys. Whether through the creation of a specific program, the stewardship of community initiatives, or a lifelong commitment to driving social change, this award honours those who lead with courage, authenticity, and unwavering dedication to a more compassionate and inclusive future.
To nominate a candidate for this category, please provide supporting information addressing the following criteria (the supporting information should not exceed 1500 words).
- Could you offer a brief summary of the nominated individual and their contributions, highlighting any projects or programs they have led and their respective objectives?
- Describe how the nominee’s actions have driven advocacy efforts and facilitated social change for individuals with lived experience of mental ill-health.
- Discuss some of the lasting effects the individual’s work has had on the lives of people with lived experiences of mental health issues.
- Include links to feedback, media coverage, or any other relevant resources that support the nomination.
This award recognises a workplace initiative or program that demonstrates outstanding commitment to creating safe and supportive work environments. This award celebrates those who go beyond compliance to champion proactive, innovative, and evidence‑informed approaches that reduce psychosocial risks and strengthen wellbeing across their workplace.
Nominees show clear leadership in embedding psychosocial safety into everyday practice through one or a combination of – strong governance, inclusive culture, meaningful worker participation, and systems that prevent harm. They demonstrate the courage to challenge stigma, the foresight to invest in sustainable change, and the ability to translate policy into real, measurable improvements for staff.
To nominate a candidate for this category, please provide supporting information addressing the following criteria (the supporting information should not exceed 1500 words).
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Describe the psychosocial safety and workplace wellbeing initiatives your organisation has implemented.
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What were the primary aims of these initiatives, and how were they expected to improve psychosocial safety in the workplace?
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What factors or evidence prompted your organisation to design and implement this program?
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Summarise the evaluation findings, outcomes, and feedback received regarding the initiative
This award celebrates individuals and organisations that use media and the arts to illuminate experiences of mental health and mental ill‑health through thoughtful, informative, and responsibly crafted storytelling. It recognises creative works such as journalism, visual art, film, theatre, music, or other artistic expressions that inform, challenge stigma, spark conversation, and foster greater understanding within the community.
To nominate a candidate for this category, please provide supporting information addressing the following criteria (the supporting information should not exceed 1500 words).
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Provide a brief description of the media and the arts submission
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Provide a summary of the evaluation data, outcomes and any formal or informal feedback.
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Provide details of the involvement of people with lived experiences of mental ill-health. (if applicable)
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Please provide a link for any supporting media that can be accessed via the web.
This award honours programs, projects, or initiatives that demonstrate a strong commitment to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of LGBTIQA+ communities. It recognises efforts that create inclusive, affirming, and safe spaces that work to ensure LGBTIQA+ individuals feel seen, supported, and empowered in their mental health journeys.
To nominate a candidate for this category, please provide supporting information addressing the following criteria (the supporting information should not exceed 1500 words).
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Please provide a brief summary of the program/project/service
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How does the service or program actively identify and support the mental health needs of LGBTIQA+ people?
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How were LGBTIQA+ people actively involved in the planning and implementation of the project or program?
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Provide a summary of the evaluation data, outcomes and any formal or informal feedback.
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