Mental Health Minister Roger Cook has announced today the 29 people and organisations who are finalists in this year's Western Australian Mental Health Awards.
The nominations include schools, organisations, industry and the media who have been recognised for their actions in promoting mental health education and awareness.
The awards highlight the achievements of people and organisations from across WA who demonstrate mental health excellence, innovation, and initiative in supporting consumers, families, and carers.
Today's announcement was made as part of World Mental Health Day, which falls during the State's Mental Health Week.
To mark the occasion, Mental Health Minister Roger Cook and Mental Health Week ambassador Jordan Bruno joined volunteers at Elizabeth Quay train station to distribute mental health resource packs to commuters.
The resource packs contain advice on how to recognise and prevent mental health issues.
The packs can also be found at Mental Health Week events across WA.
Other resources, including how to help someone in distress, can be found online on the Mental Health Commission website (https://www.mhc.wa.gov.au).
The award winners will be announced and celebrated on November 18 on the eve of the two-day WA Mental Health Conference.
Mental Health Week and the Awards are delivered by the Western Australian Association for Mental Health with funding and support from the WA Mental Health Commission.
For support call beyondblue on 1300 224 636 for 24/7 free counselling or Lifeline in a crisis situation on 13 11 14.
As stated by Mental Health Minister Roger Cook:
"The Western Australian Mental Health Awards play an important part in recognising and rewarding outstanding achievements in improving the mental health and wellbeing of Western Australians.
"Congratulations to all the finalists for the 2019 Awards who demonstrate some of the very best mental health initiatives in WA.
"I also encourage Western Australians to use Mental Health Week as a catalyst to take steps in making positive, long-lasting change to their own mental health, and those of their loved ones."
| Award Category | Finalists |
| Lifeline Promotion or Prevention Award | Youth Focus Mentally Healthy WA Befriend |
| Lifepath Psychology Consumer Impact & Inspiration Award | Hayley Solich Ashleigh Campbell Andris Markovs Marisha Gerovich |
| Diversity Award | Perth Inner City Youth Service WACHS South West Mental Health, Glenda Humphries Youth Involvement Council Shire of Murray |
| Eric Dillon Consulting Mental Health Employee Excellence Award | Dorte Dyrbye, Zonta House Refuge Association Dr Anand Deshmukh, WA Country Health Service, Pilbara Shivani Lala, Southern Cross Care Kadi Turner, Kambalda West District School |
| Chamber of Minerals and Energy Mentally Healthy Workplace Award | Indigo Junction Rio Tinto Macmahon Holdings |
| Mentally Healthy Education Award | Kalamunda Senior High School Cooinda Primary School Coodanup College |
| Mental Health News Media Award | ABC Drive Show Rhianna Mitchell, Seven West Media Rochelle Masters, 98.5FM Rebecca Turner, ABC |
| Lotterywest Innovation for Change Award | Aboriginal Males Healing Centre Graylands Hospital/Cyrenian House AOD Partnership Shire of Murray Broome Recovery Centre |
