The 2023 Mental Health Matters Finalists

The Mental Health Matters Awards recognise the achievements of individuals and organisations large
and small who have worked to improve understanding, awareness, service provision and the general
mental health of our communities in NSW over the previous year.

The 2023 Mental Health Matters Finalists

The Mental Health Matters Awards recognise the achievements of individuals and organisations large
and small who have worked to improve understanding, awareness, service provision and the general
mental health of our communities in NSW over the previous year.

Our finalists were selected by an independent judging panel that consists of mental health experts and professionals from the sector, previous award winners and individuals who identify with or specialise in a particular category. WayAhead staff do not participate in the judging of the awards.

The winners of each category will be announced at The Mental Health Matters Awards on October 6th at the Hyatt Regency

Mental Health Matters Rainbow Inclusion Award sponsored by ACON

  • Pride Youth Group – Canterbury Bankstown City Council

  • Muslim Peers Project – Outloud Inc

  • Youth Mental Health First Aid Training for Parents and Trans Kids – Trans and Gender Diverse Kids

Julie Leitch Leadership Through Lived Experience Award

  • Mark Robertson – One Vision Productions – MPOWER

  • Guy Morel – The Mind Café

  • Emily Unity

Aboriginal Social and Emotional Wellbeing Award

  • 13YARN – Lifeline Australia
  • Healing Program Kalypi Paaka Mirika – Maari Ma Health
  • The Shed – Western Sydney

Mental Health Matters Community Initiative Award

  • Art Fun and Feelings Workshops to Manage Feelings – Blackheath Area Neighbourhood Centre , Mountains Outreach Community Services and Thrive Services
  • Keeping in Contact – NSW Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors
  • Soul & Wellbeing Encounters – House to Grow Ltd

Mental Health Matters Youth Award

  • My Body, My Narrative – Headspace Bondi Junction
  • Getting on Track In Time – Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service Port Macquarie
  • OurFutures – The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, The University of Sydney

The Mental Health Matters Workplaces Wellbeing Award

  • Wellness Warriors – Arthritis NSW
  • Recovery 2gether (R2G): Focus on Purpose for a Positive, Healthy Workplace. – One Door Mental Health (One Door)
  • Shift – Workplace Mental Health Research Program, Black Dog Institute

Outstanding Achievement in Mental Health Promotion

  • My Drought Story- Reflections of Resilience During Tough Times – Hunter New England Local Health District and C7EVEN Marketing and Communications
  • NNSWF Mental Health Aware – Northern NSW Football
  • Creative Self Care Bingo Kits – Georges River Libraries

Mental Health Matters Media and the Arts Award

  • The Black Box Mental Health Project – Core Community Services
  • Admissions + MAD Poetry – Red Room Poetry
  • It’s a Mind Field!