Four Australians have been recognised with the 2026 Australian Mental Health Prize for their significant contributions to mental health research, advocacy and support.
The annual prize, presented by UNSW Psychiatry & Mental Health, the Black Dog Institute and Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA), is awarded to Australians who have made outstanding contributions to the promotion of mental health or the prevention or treatment of mental illness.
Now in its eleventh year, the Australian Mental Health Prize recognises achievement across four award categories: Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, Lived Experience, Professional and Community Hero.
This year's winners, who will be honoured at a ceremony at UNSW Sydney today, are Dr Elizabeth McEntyre, a researcher and social worker advancing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health; Michael Elwan, a lived experience leader; Professor Jayashri Kulkarni AM, a pioneer in women's mental health; and Luke Baker, a community mental health advocate.
The Hon. Emma McBride MP, Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, said she was inspired by the extraordinary calibre of the nominees and winners.
"These are people who put others before themselves every single day, supporting individuals at some of the most challenging moments of their lives. To me, that reflects the very best of the Australian spirit.
"While we've made significant progress in building a mental health system that supports people when and where they need it, there is still more work to do. That's why it's so important we recognise and celebrate those who are helping drive that change in our communities every day.
"It is with great pleasure that I congratulate Dr Elizabeth McEntyre, Michael Elwan, Professor Jayashri Kulkarni AM and Luke Baker on this well-deserved recognition, and thank them for their extraordinary contributions to the mental health and wellbeing of Australians."
Category |
2026 Winners |
|---|---|
Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander |
Dr Elizabeth McEntyre (Tea Gardens, NSW) is a Worimi Guringay and Wonnarua Elder, researcher and social worker dedicated to improving the mental health and social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Dr McEntyre has led research and advocacy addressing inequities experienced by Indigenous Australians in the criminal justice and forensic mental health systems. She has championed culturally responsive models of care developed in partnership with communities, which focus on wraparound services for Aboriginal people released from prison. Her contribution helps embed cultural leadership, knowledge and lived experience in mental health research, policy and service delivery. |
Community Hero |
Luke Baker (Moama, NSW) is a lived experience advocate and Lifeline Loddon Mallee Ambassador who is making conversations about mental health and suicide prevention more accessible, particularly for men in regional communities. Drawing on his own experience of mental illness, the former police officer has created safe spaces for connection through Mr Perfect BBQs, contributed to suicide prevention strategies and resources and raised funds and awareness through his 3,249-kilometre Pedalling for Hope bike ride. He also supports communities following traumatic events as part of the Lifeline Loddon Mallee Disaster Recovery and Critical Incident Response Team. |
Lived Experience |
Michael Elwan (Mandurah, WA) is a lived experience leader, social worker and therapist who draws on his experience as a family carer, suicide-bereaved son and migrant to help shape mental health care. He has led statewide mental health outreach services and contributes to national governance through lived experience advisory roles with organisations including Lifeline Australia and Suicide Prevention Australia. Through Lived Experience Solutions, which he founded in 2024, he provides therapy, supervision, training and consultancy, bringing together professional practice, systems leadership and multicultural perspectives to strengthen care and ensure people and families have a meaningful voice in decisions affecting them. |
Professional |
Professor Jayashri Kulkarni AM (Melbourne, VIC) is a psychiatrist and researcher who has spent more than 30 years advancing the understanding and treatment of mental illness, particularly for women. Prof. Kulkarni has pioneered research into the role of hormones in mental health and founded the Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre and HER Centre Australia. In 2021, she designed and helped open the Lisa Thurin Women's Health Centre, Australia's first private women's mental health hospital. She is also a prominent public advocate and educator, raising awareness of women's mental health and helping train the next generation of mental health professionals and researchers. |
UNSW Provost Professor Vlado Perkovic said the Australian Mental Health Prize recognised the important contribution individuals can make to improving mental health and wellbeing.
"Progress in mental health comes in many forms, from advancing our understanding and treatment of mental illness to strengthening systems, raising awareness and ensuring people have the support they need," Prof. Perkovic said.
"The winners have each brought their own expertise, experience and perspective to this challenge. Their work is helping to improve lives, strengthen communities and contribute to a better future for mental health in Australia."
Scientia Professor Matthew Kiernan AM, CEO of Neuroscience Research Australia, said: "The calibre of awards winners once again shows the importance of these awards, and why NeuRA has been proud to become a partner with UNSW Sydney and the Black Dog Institute in hosting them.
"In a strong field of more than 80 nominations, these winners stood out for the dedication they bring to supporting people living with mental health conditions, at all levels of society.
"But the strength of nominations across the board also shows the importance we rightly place as a society on recognising those working to improve the lot of others."
Professor Samuel Harvey, Executive Director and Chief Scientist at Black Dog Institute, said Australia's mental health challenge had never been greater.
"The work done by all of those shortlisted for the 2026 Australian Mental Health Prizes is inspirational. Collectively, they show the power of people who are willing to turn evidence, experience and ideas into action," he said.
"The tireless work of this year's Australian Mental Health Prize winners show us what progress towards better mental health looks like. These are the people who are finding better ways to reach people, challenging systems that aren't working, building more responsive models of care and turning lived experience and evidence into practical change for communities across Australia. On behalf of everyone at Black Dog Institute, I thank this year's winners for their work and congratulate them on these well-deserved honours."
