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  • About WayAhead
        • At WayAhead, we work every day to educate people throughout New South Wales on mental health and wellbeing and link them to services and resources that improve their mental health.
          Our vision is for a society that understands, values and actively supports the best possible mental health and wellbeing.
        • How we work for better mental health

          We work towards better mental health and wellbeing through:

          • The co-ordination of mental health promotion activities such as Mental Health Month NSW, WayAhead Workplaces, Perinatal Depression and Anxiety Awareness Week and Stress Less Tips
          • Free anxiety support groups throughout NSW
          • The provision of mental health information – the WayAhead Directory, mental health factsheets
          • Education seminars such as or Understanding Anxiety Forums and Professional Development Workshops – for people living with a mental health condition, the public and health care professionals
          • Small Steps workshops for parents and school teachers to raise awareness and improve recognition of anxiety disorders in children.
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Mental Health Month

Mental Health Month

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About the Awards

Mental Health Matters Awards Logo
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 nominations for 2022 will open on May 30th

Below are the Award categories 

1. Mental Health Matters Youth Award

Recognising excellence and/or innovation in programs, projects or initiatives that have focused their efforts on prevention and early intervention with young people.

To submit a nomination in this category, address the following criteria to support this nomination (the supporting information cannot exceed 1500 words).

  1. Provide a brief description of the program/project - including target group/s an aims
  2. How were young people involved in the planning and implementation of this program/project?
  3. What were the early intervention/prevention strategies of this project/program?
  4. What were the measurable impacts of this project/program? (Include summarised evaluation data such as participation rates, outcomes or feedback, data collected from surveys).

2. Mental Health Matters Community Initiative Award

Recognising small, grass-roots, community-run groups, projects or events whose key aims are to improve the mental health and wellbeing of marginalised communities, particularly Culturally and Linguistically Diverse communities, and facilitate access to culturally appropriate information and services. This may also include ongoing groups focused on mental health or awareness raising events that have impacted the local community.

To submit a nomination in this category, address the following criteria to support this nomination (The supporting information cannot exceed 1500 words).

  1. Provide a brief description of the program, project or initiative. Include information about community involvement in the planning, design, and implementation.
  2. What was the aim of this program, project or event?
  3. What are some of the key issues around mental health faced by the community which were targeted by this project/program or event, and how were these issues were addressed by the program/project/event?
  4. Provide a summary of the evaluation data, outcomes and any formal or informal feedback.

3. Aboriginal Social and Emotional Wellbeing Award

Recognising programs, projects, people or initiatives that aspire to and enhance the social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal communities.

To submit a nomination in this category, address the following criteria to support this nomination (The supporting information cannot exceed 1500 words).

  1. Please provide a brief summary of the program/project/service (including aims)
  2. How were Aboriginal people involved in the planning and implementation of this project?
  3. How does this program/project enhance the social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal communities?
  4. Provide a summary of the evaluation data, outcomes and any formal or informal feedback.

4. Outstanding Achievement in Mental Health Promotion Award

Recognising excellence and/or innovation in mental health promotion activities  programs or initiatives that contribute to increased awareness, reduced stigma, and enhanced wellbeing related to mental health and/or mental ill-health.

To submit a nomination in this category, address the following criteria to support this nomination (The supporting information cannot exceed 1500 words).

  1. Please provide a brief summary of the program/project/service
  2. What was aim of this program or project?
  3. How did the project or program achieve its aims/ objectives?
  4. Provide a summary of the evaluation data, outcomes and any formal or informal feedback.

5. Leadership through Lived Experience Award

Recognising an individual with lived experience of mental ill-health, mental illness, or a carer of someone with lived experience, who has made outstanding contributions to advocacy and social change benefiting people with lived experiences. This can relate to a specific program the person has initiated/coordinated, or a dedication to lifelong work in this area.

To submit a nomination in this category, address the following criteria to support this nomination (the supporting information cannot exceed 1500 words).

  1. Provide a brief account of the individual that is being nominated, and the work they’ve done (Include the aims of any project or program they’ve run).
  2. How has their work contributed to advocacy and social change for people with lived experience of mental ill-health?
  3. What are some of the longer term impacts the individual has had on the lives of people with lived experiences of mental health issues?

6. WayAhead Workplaces Wellbeing Award

Recognising organisations who have actively created a positive work experience for all employees and support employees in their mental health & wellbeing in the workplace. Supported by WayAhead Workplaces.

To submit a nomination in this category address the following criteria to support this nomination (the supporting information cannot exceed 1500 words).

  1. Provide a brief description of the workplace wellbeing initiatives undertaken? (Include specific programs, as well as relevant policy changes)
  2. What was the aim of this program or project?
  3. What key factors led the organisation to develop and implement this program or initiative in the workplace?
  4. Provide a summary of the evaluation data, outcomes and any formal or informal feedback.

7. Mental Health Matters Media and the Arts Award

Recognising individuals or organisations who have created thoughtful, informative and responsibly reported media and/or artistic projects relating to mental health illness. This may include such things as journalism, visual art projects, theatrical projects, or musical projects. 

Projects should be led by, or created in close consultation/collaboration with, people with lived experiences of mental ill-health. 

Please note: Nominations should be accessible to the public – e.g. commercial media, public performance/exhibition. Nominees wishing to nominate internal organisational or promotional items (e.g. organisational magazines or newsletters or promotional radio spots) should consider submitting in another award category such as the WayAhead Workplaces Award. 

To submit a nomination in this category, address the following criteria to support this nomination (the supporting information cannot exceed 1500 words). 

  1. Provide a brief description of the submission. 
  2. Provide a summary of the evaluation data, outcomes and any formal or informal feedback. 
  3. Provide details of th involvement of people with lived experiences of mental ill-health. 
  4. Attach the supporting material for your nomination. (May include (but not limited to) links to written articles, links to reviews of the program/project, links to videos or advertisements) 

8. Mental Health Matters Rainbow Inclusion Award - Sponsored by ACON

Recognising mental health programs, projects or initiatives that demonstrate commitment to the mental health and wellbeing of LGBTIQA+ people.

To submit a nomination in this category, address the following criteria to support this nomination (the supporting information cannot exceed 1500 words).

  1. Please provide a brief summary of the program/project/service (including aims)
  2. How does the service or program actively identify and support the mental health needs of LGBTIQA+ people?
  3. How were LGBTIQA+ people actively involved in the planning and implementation of the project or program?
  4. Provide a summary of the evaluation data, outcomes and any formal or informal feedback

 

Have a look at our 2020 Award winners and our 2019 Award winners 

 

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At School

 

How can we share the journey at school?

  • Host a Mental Health Month assembly
  • Include Mental Health Month in your classroom activities 
  • Support students to put on their own events for Mental Health Month
  • Consider hosting a “Share a Meal for Mental Health Month” event on World Mental Health Day
  • Ensure that all students and staff know what supports are available at your school
  • Challenge ideas and language that may have a negative impact on the way people think
    about mental ill-health

 

Download the ‘Schools Pack’ with heaps of useful resources and activities

Download the ‘At School’ social post here

Check out all the Share the Journey downloads here

At Work

 

How can we share the journey at work??

  • Include mental health in discussions about workplace health and safety
  • Organise wellbeing activities and make them accessible to people
  • Consider hosting an event for Mental Health Month
  • Have someone to come and talk to your workplace about mental health and wellbeing
  • Connect with the WayAhead Workplaces network –
    a network of likeminded organisations working together to improve mental wellbeing in the workplace.

 

Download the ‘At Work’ social post here

Check out all the Share the Journey downloads here

With Family and Friends

 

How can we share the journey with family and friends?

  • Share a hobby or teaching each other something new
  • Helping each other with chores like laundry, cooking or cleaning
  • Help each other get to appointments, occasions or events
  • Organise times to check in with each other
  • Help each other plan for difficult situations
  • Create a fun challenge you can do together
  • Play games together

 

Download the ‘Family and Friends’ social post here

Check out all the Share the Journey downloads here

In the Community

 

How can we share the journey with family and friends?

  • Host a community event for Mental Health Month
  • Think about ways you can connect with people experiencing mental health issues –
    this could include having quiet spaces or transport options available for community events.
  • Make sure that mental health and wellbeing are talked about in your community
  • Consider hosting a “Share a Meal for Mental Health Month” event on World Mental Health Day in your community

 

Download the ‘In the Community’ social post here

Check out all the Share the Journey downloads here

Share the Journey

 

Connecting with others is important for all aspects of our health and wellbeing. Research tells us that feeling connected with others gives us a sense of security, support, purpose and happiness. Close connections and good relationships with others help us enjoy good times in our lives as well as cope with difficult experiences. Many of us report feeling lonely and believe loneliness is increasing in Australia. For those experiencing or living with mental illness, loneliness can have an even bigger impact, especially when you factor in the added experiences of social exclusion and stigma.

Share the Journey is all about ways we can connect with others, both for our own health and wellbeing, as well as theirs.

Sharing the journey can mean many things:

  • Telling your loved ones about both your successes and difficulties
  • Reaching out to people who might be withdrawing from others
  • Working with someone to find and access services or support
  • Asking for help with day-to-day things when you need it
  • Getting involved in group activities, like sports or book clubs
  • Sharing a cuppa with a mate

 

Whether you reach out to someone who might be feeling a bit lost or find a way to connect with others when you need some help,
building positive social connection is something we can all try and do.

Download this information as a fact sheet here

View all Share the Journey downloads here