The Western Australian Association for Mental Health (WAAMH) are proud to announce the finalists of the 2025 WA Mental Health Awards.

Minister's Award

Presented by: Minister for Mental Health, the 

The Minister’s Award recognises a person who has displayed best practice in the mental health sector in the 2023 calendar year.  The nominee has had a positive impact working with people living with mental health challenges in our community, including their families and carers.  

Finalists: 

  • Brenda King, Kimberley WA,
  • Chris Harris, Mineral Resources
  • Ann Kariuki, Mercycare, Mirrabooka

Lived experience Impact and Inspiration Award

Presented by: Western Australian Mental Health Commission

This award celebrates the outstanding contribution to mental health in WA that an individual who identifies as having a lived experience (consumer, carer or family member) has made to the community.  

Finalists: 

  • Joanne Khan                                                                                  
  • Misha Richardson, Bidi Wungen Kaat Centre
  • Jon Eddy, Roses in the Ocean

Mental Health Employee or Volunteer Excellence Award

Presented by: Lotterywest

This award recognises an outstanding contribution to mental health in WA by an individual employed or volunteering within private, public or not-for-profit organisations. 

Finalists: 

  • Lisa Burgess                                                                                    
  • Ben Shannahan
  • Landon Punch

Innovation in Service Delivery Award

Presented by: Youth Focus

This award recognises a person, team or organisation operating in the Mental Health sector who has developed new or innovative approach to service delivery improving the lives of people with lived experience of mental health challenges. 

The new approach has been trialed, tested and found to be a solution which has improved the outcomes from the perspective of people with lived experience of mental health challenges.  The innovation may be in relation to an approach or process which may have been prompted by feedback from people with a mental health challenge, families or carers or be a result of co-design with people with a mental health challenge.  

Finalists:

  • Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services (KAMS); Marninwarntikura Women’s Resource Centre (MWRC); Broome Regional Aboriginal Medical Service (BRAMS); and Derby Aboriginal Health Service (DAHS), Enhanced Response Social and Emotional Wellbeing (SEWB) Consortium
  • Family Inclusion Network of Western Australia, Respected and Connected Peer Program
  • Enhanced Services Delivery Project, Ruah Community Services
  • Ruah Community Services, Samaritans WA, Telethon Kids Institute and the University of Western Australia, The Luminos Project

Prevention or Promotion Award

Presented by: Mercycare

This award celebrates an outstanding contribution to prevention and/or promotion in mental health in WA for people with moderate, severe and persistent mental health challenges 

 

Finalists:                                                                       

  • Blackwood Youth Association Youth Space – BYA Connect, Youth Mental Health program
  • Youth Focus, Mark Barrett-Lennard (M8D8 campaign)                           
  • SportWest - True Sport Program 

Diversity and Inclusion Award

Presented by: Roshana Care Group

This award is for an individual, organisation or group that embraces diversity and promotes inclusion, with an initiative that benefits a particular population group – including, but not limited to – culturally and linguistically diverse, age, ability, Aboriginal people and LGBTQIA+. 

Finalists: 

  • Victor Adeseolu                                                     
  • Busselton Pride Alliance Inc.                   
  • Rise, Multicultural Services Centre of WA and Wungening Aboriginal Corporation 

Mentally Healthy Education Award

Presented by: HOPE Community Services 

This award recognises an education institution that encourages positive mental health for students, staff and/or volunteers in the education system. 

Finalists: 

  • The University of Notre Dame Australia - Ben Piggott and Jenny Conlon, Wellbeing Fundamentals for success
  • Makybe Rise Primary School
  • Kingston Primary School

Mentally Healthy Workplace Award

Presented by: Edge Employment Solutions

This award recognises a WA workplace that encourages excellent mental health for its staff and volunteers through initiatives, programs, and/or organisational culture.

Finalists: 

  • Anglicare WA
  • Avivo: Live Life
  • R-Group International

Mental Health News Media Award

Presented by: Western Australian Association for Mental Health 

This award recognises excellence in journalism, reporting and media relating to mental health in WA. Nominations open to all mediums, including print, audio or video broadcast (including podcasts, documentaries etc.) and digital/online media. 

Finalists: 

  • ABC Great Southern, Briana Fiore and Anthony Pancia, ‘How former soldier took a stand after sons overdose.’
  • The Y - Inside Our Minds
  • Artemis Media, New Leash on Life TV series

Congratulations to all the Winners and Finalists

The WA Mental Health Awards showcase the dedication and contribution of individuals and teams who work to promote positive mental health.

Thank you for being part of the WA Mental Health Awards.

Judging Process

A judging panel mental health representatives and individuals with lived experience assessed all nominations and ranked entries in each category based on written nominations.