The annual ACT Mental Health Month Awards were held today, 29 October, recognising individuals, groups, organisations, businesses, and initiatives across Canberra doing amazing work in the mental health sector.
The awards ceremony was held at the National Museum of Australia and was livestreamed on the Mental Health Month Facebook page, offering everyone in the community an opportunity to watch the winners receive their awards.
Officiated by Minister for Mental Health Emma Davison, Minister for Health Rachel Stephen-Smith, and Coordinator-General of the Office of Mental Health and Wellbeing Dr Elizabeth Moore, the awards recognised 10 inspiring winners who were acknowledged for their achievements and initiatives within the ACT.
Ms Davidson offered her congratulations to all the nominees and said they are a testament to the number of kind and caring community members in Canberra.
“Canberrans have stepped up over the past few years to better support their families, friends, neighbours and colleagues. These awards are a recognition of the incredible work happening across the ACT to ensure that people in need have access to support and resources,” she said.
Mental Health Month coordinator Alison Hall said it was a difficult decision when choosing the winners in each category as there are so many people in Canberra doing brilliant things for mental health.
“Every nominee is amazing, so we like to celebrate and highlight them and the work they’ve done by listing them online for Canberrans to see. There’s been some incredible initiatives created by these organisations throughout the pandemic, like issues with people experiencing homelessness,” Ms Hall said.
“The pandemic has caused more people who have never had mental health issues before to be all of a sudden faced with things they don’t recognise, so it’s really important to spread awareness and support the broad community and teach them little things they can do to feel okay again and look after themselves.”
The following ACT Mental Health Month Award Recipients for 2021 are recognised for making a significant contribution to improving the mental wellbeing of Canberrans.
Mentally Healthy Community Award: Organisation – ANU Thrive; Individual – Dr Shamaruh Mirza, Sitara’s Story; Highly Commended – Frank Arsego, OzHelp
Enhancing the Lives of Individuals, Families And Carers Award: New Horizons, Marymead
Innovated Person-Centred Valued Supports Award; Organisation – Mental Health Foundation (ACT) and ACT Health; Individual – Nicole Heinzmann, Woden Community Services
Leadership Through Lived Experience Award – Consumer: Jennifer Nixon, ACT Mental Health Consumer Network
David Perrin Award: November Marmion
Michael Firestone Memorial Scholarship: Steven Effield
Rufus Scholarship: Dominique Mandziy
Head to the Mental Health Month ACT website to see the full list of nominees.
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