Celebrating WA Mental Health Awards finalists on World Mental Health Day

• Individuals, organisations, schools, service providers and workplaces named as finalists for the 2024 WA Mental Health Awards on World Mental Health Day
• Winners to be announced at an award celebration on Monday, 25 November 2024

Nearly 30 individuals, organisations, schools, service providers and workplaces have been recognised as finalists in the 2024 WA Mental Health Awards.

This year's theme of World Mental Health Day is 'It is Time to Prioritise Mental Health in the Workplace'.

The awards are hosted by the Western Australian Association for Mental Health (WAAMH), in partnership with the Mental Health Commission and Lotterywest and recognise outstanding contributions to the mental health and wellbeing of Western Australians.  

This year there were more than 100 nominations across nine award categories:

• News and Media, for excellence in journalism and reporting on mental health;
• Diversity and Inclusion, for an individual, organisation or group that embraces diversity and promotes inclusion with an initiative that benefits a particular population group;
• Innovation in Service Delivery, for outstanding innovation driving change for better mental health outcomes;
• Mental Health Employee or Volunteer Excellence, for outstanding contribution to mental health by an individual in the sector;
• Promotion or Prevention, for outstanding contribution to prevention and/or promotion in mental health;
• Mental Health Education, for educational institutions that encourage, support and promote good mental health for its students, staff and volunteers;
• Mentally Healthy Workplace, for a workplace that encourages, supports and promotes good mental health for its staff and volunteers;
• Lived Experience Impact and Inspiration, for outstanding contribution to mental health by an individual who identifies as having a lived experience (consumer, carer or family member); and
• Minister's Award, which recognises someone who has displayed best practice at every level and a true dedication to service.

Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on 25 November 2024 at the Beaumonde on the Point.

Comments attributed to Mental Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson:

"Thank you to all this year's nominees for your commitment to improving the mental health and wellbeing of Western Australians.

"The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on 24 November at the Beaumonde on the Point.

"Good luck to the finalists and thank you for your exceptional contributions to the mental health sector."

2024 WA Mental Health Award Finalists

WAAMH News and Media Award

• Artemis Media, New Leash on Life TV series
• The Y - Inside Our Minds
• ABC Great Southern, Briana Fiore and Anthony Pancia, 'How former soldier took a stand after son's overdose.'

Roshana Care Group Diversity and Inclusion Award

• Oluwafemi Adeseolu, Wesley Mission/Organisation of African Communities WA
• Rise; Multicultural Services Centre of Western Australia; and Wungening Aboriginal Corporation
• Busselton Pride Alliance Inc.

Youth Focus Innovation in Service Delivery Award

• Family Inclusion Network of Western Australia, Respected and Connected Peer Program
• Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services (KAMS); Marninwarntikura Women's Resource Centre (MWRC); Broome Regional Aboriginal Medical Service (BRAMS); and Derby Aboriginal Health Service (DAHS), Enhanced Response Social and Emotional Wellbeing (SEWB) Consortium
• Ruah Community Services, Enhanced Services Delivery Project
• Ruah Community Services, Samaritans WA, Telethon Kids Institute and The University of Western Australia, The Luminos Project

Lotterywest Mental Health Employee or Volunteer Excellence Award

• Anglicare WA, Ben Shannahan
• Blackwood Youth Action Inc, Lisa Burgess
• Landon Aston Punch

Mercycare Promotion or Prevention Award

• Youth Focus, Mark Barrett-Lennard, M8D8 Campaign
• SportWest - True Sport program
• Blackwood Youth Association Youth Space - BYA Connect, Youth Mental Health program

Hope Community Services Mental Health Education Award

• Kingston Primary School, Student Services Team
• Notre Dame University - Ben Piggott and Jenny Conlon, Wellbeing Fundamentals for Success
• Makybe Rise Primary School, whole school approach to student and staff wellbeing

Edge Employment Solutions Mentally Healthy Workplace Award

• R-Group International
• Anglicare WA
• Avivo

WA Mental Health Commission Lived Experience Impact and Inspiration Award

• Lived Experience Australia Consumer Advocate, Joanne Mary Khan
• Bidi Wungen Kaat Centre, Misha Richardson
• Roses in the Ocean, Jon Eddy

Minister's Award

• Brenda King, Kimberley WA
• Chris Harris, Mineral Resources Limited
• Ann Kariuki, MercyCare, Mirrabooka