Finalists for WA Mental Health Awards dedicate, innovate and inspire
Friday 19 September 2025
- The WA Mental Health Awards celebrate the individuals, initiatives and organisations that have made an outstanding contribution to mental health in Western Australia.
- The nine award categories cover the themes of lived experience, innovation, prevention, education and inclusion.
- Winners will be announced at a gala celebration on World Mental Health Day – 10 October.
From a project to support FIFO workers’ wellbeing, to a podcast that helps women heal from birth trauma, this year’s WA Mental Health Awards finalists showcase the powerful impact that lived experience, innovation, and community-led initiatives can have on mental health.
From more than 100 nominations across nine categories, a panel of independent judges has selected the 2025 finalists for the WA Mental Health Awards.
The finalists include dedicated Western Australians; businesses, sporting clubs and schools that focus on fostering mental wellbeing; and ground-breaking community projects that are changing the way WA delivers mental health supports.
WAAMH’s CEO, Taryn Harvey, said the ingenuity and dedication of the finalists continued to impress, year after year.
“Mental ill-health touches many lives across our community, and this year’s finalists have once again shown that some of the best preventative measures and most impactful supports, come from within the community itself,” Ms Harvey said.
“Our annual awards bring the WA community and community-based mental health sector together, to celebrate the collective contributions to better mental health and wellbeing over the past 12 months.”
“I want to congratulate all the finalists and look forward to honouring our 2025 winners on World Mental Health Day.”
The WA Mental Health Awards winners will be announced at a gala celebration on 10 October at Beaumonde on the Point, overlooking the iconic Swan River.
Find out more about the WA Mental Health Awards and purchase your ticket to the gala celebration at www.waamh.org.au/awards.
Finalists of the WA Mental Health Awards 2025
Minister's Award
Sponsored by the State Government
- Brian Gallop
- Karri Ambler
- Prof Penelope Hasking
- Sarah Papaelias
- Dr Tania Botha
Lived Experience Impact & Inspiration Award
Sponsored by the Mental Health Commission
- Amanda Aiyana
- Elaine Ashurst
- Michael Elwan
- Rachel Burns
- Soa Palelei
Mental Health Employee or Volunteer Excellence Award
Sponsored by Lotterywest
- Graham Hughes
- Helen Tomlinson
- Jonah Palelei
- Samantha Mills
- Vernon Dann
Innovation in Service Delivery Award
Sponsored by Youth Focus
- Attachment & Biobehavioral Catch-up Program by NGALA
- Deadly Minds Matter by Shooting Stars
- Healthy Liyan by Garnduwa Amboorny Wirnan Aboriginal Corporation
- Raphael Services by St John of God
- The Luminos Project by Samaritans WA, Ruah Community Services, The Telethon Kids Institute and University of Western Australia
Promotion or Prevention Award
Sponsored by MercyCare
- ForWhen by NGALA
- Safe Community Living Program by Plan and Grow
- Road Trauma Support WA by Injury Matters
- True Sport Mental Health & Wellbeing by Sport West
- WA Cricket
Diversity & Inclusion Award
Sponsored by Roshana Care Group
- Garnduwa Amboorny Wirnan Aboriginal Corporation
- Hope Affirm Thrive
- Thriving in Motion
- What Were You Wearing Australia
- Wungening Aboriginal Corporation
Mental Health Education Award
Sponsored by Hope Community Services
- Forest Cresent Primary School
- John Tonkin College
- School of Special Educational Needs: Medical and Mental Health
- The Y School
- UWA Guild Student Assist
Mentally Healthy Workplace Award
Sponsored by Edge Employment Solutions
- Avivo
- Life Without Barriers
- My Way Community Alliance
- Strong Minds, Strong Mines
- Talison Lithium
- WA Cricket
News & Media Award
Sponsored by the Western Australian Association for Mental Health
- Embracing the Mind podcast by Jack Boronovskis and Dr Alix Woolard
- Taboo Education by Samantha Waite