Mental Health Matters Award Nominations

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.