Mental Health Matters Awards

Last Updated (Friday, 25 September 2009 15:16)

MHA would like to congratulate the 14 Award Winners just announced in the 2009 Mental Health Matters Awards.

The Awards will be presented at a special ceremony during the launch of Mental Health Week 2009 in Martin Place, Sydney on Wednesday October 7th 2009 by the Governor of NSW, Professor Marie Bashir, AC, CVO.

There are 10 Award categories and 14 awards winners in 2009, in total sharing $10,000 in prize money as follows:

1. Innovation in Service or Program Delivery Award ($1000 prize to be shared between three winners):

• Jessica Cullen and Christine Richards, Toastmasters at Kestrel, Morisset Hospital (PRS Hunter New England Mental Health)
• ycentral - one stop youth mental health shop
• Karl Symonds and Adam Bryant

2. Cross Sector Collaboration Award

Northern Sydney Central Coast Area Health Service Vocational Education Training & Employment (VETE) Service. Marianna Wong, Tanya Byak, Michael Gock, Philip Morton, Sandy Schieb

3. Research and Evaluation Award ($1000 prize to be shared between three winners):

• A/Prof Christian Alexander and Professor John Fraser
• Healthy Lifestyles Program - Professor Robyn Richmond, Professor Amanda Baker & Dr Frances Kay-Lambkin
• The Virtual Clinic

4. Mental Illness Prevention and Early Intervention Award
The Jacaranda Project, Northern Sydney Sexual Assault Service

5. Mental Health Promotion Award
Bankstown City Council's Community Planning and Development And Mental Health Week Working Party members

6. Media Award
NBN Mind Matters Series

7. Indigenous Mental Health Award
Brenda Freeman - for services to the Aboriginal community of Macarthur

8. Carer Involvement and Engagement Award
Camp Kookaburra Incorporated

9. Consumer Involvement and Engagement Award
Hawkesbury Bipolar Bears Support Group

10. Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Communities Award
South Eastern Sydney Illawarra Health Area Mental Health and Multicultural Health Services

Mental Health Week NSW Launch

Awards Information
The Mental Health Matters Awards are unique awards designed to recognise the achievements of individuals and organisations who have worked to improve understanding, awareness, service provision and the general betterment of the mental health of our community, over the past 12 month period (August 2008 – July 2009).

The Awards acknowledge the high standard and ongoing commitment demonstrated by those involved in innovative and effective programs which address key mental health issues at a local, regional or statewide level. Further, the Awards encourage individuals and organisations to continue to strive for excellence in their daily work and to continue to enhance their skills and experience within the mental health field.

In 2009, Award Winners receive

• a prize of $1000 for the winner in each of the ten award categories
• an award plaque
• recognition on the MHA website and in the next Mental Health Matters quarterly magazine

Award Categories are as follows:

• Innovation in Service or Program Delivery - recognising ground breaking or innovative mental health related services, programs or initiatives.
• Cross Sector Collaboration - recognising mental health related programs, projects or initiatives, planned and implemented by individuals or organisations working in collaboration or partnership with one or more other organisations, across different sectors.
• Research and Evaluation - recognising individuals or organisations that have completed groundbreaking mental health related research studies, programs or initiatives, and whose findings have significant implications for the mental health field.
• Mental Illness Prevention and Early Intervention - recognising programs, projects or initiatives that have focused their efforts within mental illness prevention or early intervention.
• Mental Health Promotion - recognising programs, projects or initiatives that have focused their efforts on mental health promotion activities.
• Media - recognising individuals or organisations who have produced thoughtful, interesting and responsibly written mental health-related media articles, reports or programs.
• Indigenous Mental Health - recognising programs, projects or initiatives, planned and implemented by individuals or organisations whose key aims are to foster the mental health of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander communities.
• Carer Involvement and Engagement - recognising mental health-related programs, projects or initiatives, planned and implemented by an individual carer or carer group.
• Consumer Involvement and Engagement - recognising mental health related programs, projects or initiatives, planned and implemented by an individual consumer or consumer group.
• Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Communities - recognising programs, projects or initiatives, planned and implemented by individuals or organisations whose key aims are to improve the mental health and wellbeing of CALD communities. This award is sponsored by the Transcultural Mental Health Centre

MHA extends a special thank you to the Transcultural Mental Health Centre, who have sponsored the Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Communities Award this year.

Nominations for the 2009 Mental Health Matters Awards are now closed. Information regarding next year's Awards program will be posted here in the first half of 2010.