2024 QLD Mental Health Awards
Finalists Announced

These finalists, selected from a significant number of nominations, have all demonstrated excellence in their fields, with a focus on promoting mental health, reducing stigma, and supporting those living with mental illness.  

The Queensland Mental Health Week Achievement Awards, the state’s only comprehensive mental health awards, celebrate those making meaningful contributions to the mental health landscape.  

These awards recognise the tireless efforts of individuals and organisations working to foster inclusion, raise awareness, and support the wellbeing of Queenslanders.  

The winners of the 11 award categories will be announced at the Awards breakfast ceremony on Friday, 11 October, at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre. This event provides an opportunity to spotlight the often unsung heroes in the mental health community and encourage ongoing efforts in this vital field.  

Finalists span diverse sectors, each contributing to the enhancement of mental health services, education, and advocacy. From schools fostering student wellbeing, to workplace initiatives championing employee mental health, and community programs reducing isolation, the finalists reflect a broad commitment to improving mental health outcomes across Queensland.  

Each category winner will receive $500 in prize money, and the overall winner will be awarded the Earle Duus Memorial Award, which comes with $4,000 in prize money. 

Our Award categories and finalists: 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples Award  

Sponsored by Richmond Fellowship Queensland  

Nikki Burns – Nikki works with UnitingCare Hospitals to enhance the cultural and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients. Her efforts bridge traditional practices with modern healthcare, improving cultural competence among staff and supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff in career development.  

Yarns Heal – A statewide suicide prevention program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, particularly those identifying as LGBTQIA+ Sistergirl and Brotherboy. Yarns Heal offers culturally safe suicide prevention training, group support, and aftercare for families affected by suicide, ensuring culturally sensitive mental health interventions.   

Kim Walker – North Brisbane Crisis Reform Project – An Advanced Indigenous Mental Health Worker at Metro North Mental Health, Kim has been pivotal in creating culturally safe spaces, such as the Nujum Jawa Crisis Stabilisation Unit, for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Her leadership in service reform ensures cultural safety in mental health services.  

Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Award

Gary (Tao) Xia – Living Without Worry Health Clinic – As Director and Lead Clinician, Gary tailors mental health services to CALD clients, offering culturally sensitive psychological care. His work fosters mental health resilience through community ties and support networks, reducing social isolation.  

Queensland Transcultural Mental Health Centre – A statewide specialist service delivering culturally responsive mental health care for CALD communities, offering prevention, promotion, and early intervention programs alongside clinical care. Their bicultural workforce strengthens trust and integration for CALD individuals.  

Dr. Sudipto Roy – Dr. Roy has provided mental-stillness programs, support groups, and counselling sessions to CALD communities in Queensland for over 17 years. His work helps reduce anxiety and foster inclusion by delivering accessible, multilingual mental health services tailored to the unique needs of diverse cultural backgrounds.  

Early Years Award 

Sponsored by Health and Wellbeing Queensland

Zero to Four Family Support Service – This service recruits and trains volunteers to support families with young children, focusing on mental health, early childhood development, and preventing re-entry into the child protection system. Through playgroups and mentoring, the program improves parenting confidence and child wellbeing.  

Jeff Cheverton Individual Award  

Sponsored by Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists  

Ross Romeo – State Coordinator of CORES, Ross has trained 7,000 Queenslanders in suicide intervention, expanding the service statewide. His work includes organising bereavement groups and self-care workshops, making significant contributions to reducing suicide and promoting mental health awareness.  

Suzanne Dang – Suzanne is a mental health advocate with lived experience of Bipolar Disorder Type I. She supports individuals with complex mental health issues through programs like LEAP, and her public speaking and blogging help destigmatise mental illness and inspire recovery.  

Emma Frances Derainne – Emma promotes mental health through school gardens, researching their therapeutic benefits for children, teachers, and communities. Her work fosters social inclusion, connection to nature, and community engagement in educational settings.  

Jude Bugeja Lived Experience Excellence Award  

Sponsored by Queensland Alliance for Mental Health  

James Rees – A former Australian Defence Force soldier, James now mentors veterans, helping break stigma around mental illness in the veteran community. His advocacy promotes resilience and mental health awareness, significantly impacting veterans’ wellbeing.  

Metro South Addiction and Mental Health Service – Social Inclusion and Recovery Team – This team integrates consumer and carer voices into mental health service delivery, ensuring trauma-informed care and promoting mental health advocacy, creating compassionate and inclusive services.  

Nicki Walsh – Nicki uses her lived experience to shape perinatal and infant mental health services at the Queensland Centre for Perinatal & Infant Mental Health. Her projects, such as Q-LEAP, focus on consumer participation and early intervention for young families.  

LGBTQIA+ Award  

Sponsored by headspace  

Jack McWilliam – Rainbow Affinity – Provides individual counselling and professional development services to LGBTQIA+ individuals, focusing on accessibility and inclusivity. Rainbow Affinity also trains healthcare professionals to improve mental health care for the LGBTQIA+ community.  

Queensland Council for LGBTI Health – ILC Disabilities Team – Since 2021, the team has provided social opportunities and training to reduce isolation for LGBTQIA+ individuals with disabilities. Their innovative LGBTQIA+ Disabilities training program enhances best practice care across Queensland.  

Haven Psychology – Led by Denise Abreu, Haven Psychology delivers trauma-informed, sex-positive, and affirming mental health services to LGBTQIA+ individuals. Haven collaborates with healthcare providers to ensure access to affirming care for LGBTQIA+ clients.  

Not-for-Profit Large Award (101+ Staff)  

Sponsored by HESTA

Griffith Centre for Mental Health – Lived Experience Network – A community of over 140 individuals with lived experience, co-producing mental health research to ensure services are responsive to community needs. Lived Experience Network promotes safe co-production practices to foster impactful research outcomes.  

Not-for-Profit Small Award (1-100 Staff)  

Sponsored by Queensland Health  

Gladstone Mindcare – A mental health hub providing walk-in, no-referral support in Gladstone, offering community engagement initiatives to address mental health challenges. Gladstone Mindcare promotes early intervention and collective wellbeing.  

Youth Flourish Outdoors (YFO) – Provides trauma-informed, nature-based therapy for children and young people, fostering resilience, self-discovery, and belonging through outdoor activities. YFO is a trusted provider for youth facing severe trauma.  

Isaac Navicare – A mental health navigation service tailored to rural and remote Queenslanders, offering holistic, person-centred care. Navicare’s community-driven model ensures timely and effective care for underserved areas.  

Schools Award 

Sponsored by CheckUP  

Agnes Water State School – Smiling Minds Program – A school-wide mindfulness program focusing on emotional regulation, resilience, and wellbeing. Agnes Water State School supports students through meditation, gratitude activities, and the Random Acts of Kindness initiative.  

Brisbane State High School – WoW (Wheel of Wellbeing) Weeks – A mental health initiative incorporating national events like R U OK? Day, promoting help-seeking, reducing stigma, and fostering diversity. The school’s ARC curriculum ensures early support for at-risk students.  

The Australian Trade College North Brisbane – Powered with Positivity Program – Addresses mental health risks in trade careers through positive psychology and a three-phase wellbeing approach, focusing on connection, growth, and independence.  

Workplace Award: Community Wellbeing  

Sponsored by Queensland Country Bank  

Townsville Hospital and Health Service – Adolescent Day Program – Offers intensive therapeutic support for adolescents with complex mental health issues, helping them re-engage with education and build emotional resilience.  

Torque It Out by Wheelnutz Garage – Provides walk-in, no-appointment mental health support in a garage environment for men, blending automotive activities with therapeutic care to reduce stigma and promote mental wellbeing.  

Selectability Youth – BikeShed Program – A safe space for young people aged 10-24 to develop social and vocational skills through bike repair, fostering community connections and reducing isolation in regional Queensland.  

Workplace Award: Employee Wellbeing  

Sponsored by Office of Industrial Relations  

Energy Queensland – A comprehensive mental health strategy including Mental Health Advocate roles, MATES in Energy, and mental health first aid training, promoting a stigma-free workplace and supporting over 9,500 employees.  

Sullivan Nicolaides Pathology – VITAL Wellness Campaign – Focuses on mental health, physical wellbeing, and social inclusion across 450 collection rooms and 22 laboratories. On-site counselling and flexible work conditions improve employee wellbeing.  

Powerlink Queensland – SpeakSafe Program – In partnership with Humanology Group, SpeakSafe focuses on psychological safety and mental health, improving engagement and flexible work conditions for over 1,500 employees.