Nominate a local leader in mental health

NOMINATIONS are now open for the annual Australian Mental Health Prize.

Community members can nominate local leaders, researchers, and mental health workers who are doing exceptional work in four categories: Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, Lived experience leadership, Professional, and Community Hero.

The award recognises Australians who have made outstanding, nationally significant contributions to the promotion of mental health or the prevention, treatment, or care of mental illness – in areas such as advocacy, research, or service provision.

The prize was established in 2016 by University of New South Wales Medicine and Health through its School of Psychiatry, Australia’s pre-eminent psychiatric research department.

As well as acknowledging the groundbreaking work in Australia, the accolade raises public awareness of the importance of mental health, and provides an incentive to improve services and outcomes for people with mental illness.

Long established as an international leader in various aspects of mental health, including community awareness, public advocacy, innovative services, and open discourse, Australia’s innovative programs, such as Beyond Blue, the Black Dog Institute and headspace, are groundbreaking.

Mental illnesses are common and highly disabling, with one in three Australians having a mental illness in their lifetime. More than 2,000 Australians die by suicide each year, which is the most common cause of death in males under 45.

The prize advisory board comprises 11 eminent experts in partnership with UNSW Sydney and is chaired by Adjunct Professor Sophie Scott at the University of Sydney.

Scott is encouraging the community to nominate a local mental health hero for the prestigious award.

Nominations close on Wednesday, July 23.

For information, visit australianmentalhealthprize.org.au