Celebrating the people
behind the progress
Each year, the Queensland Mental Health Awards recognise the people, organisations and communities across our state who are making a real difference in mental health.
Whether it’s through advocacy, innovation, inclusion or lived experience leadership, the Awards shine a light on those who are creating lasting change.
The best way to understand the heart of the Queensland Mental Health Awards is through the stories of those who’ve received them. Below, we’re sharing the stories of three inspiring 2024 winners, each making a powerful impact in their own way.
2024 Jeff Cheverton Individual Award – Ross Romeo, CORES Qld
Ross has trained over 7,000 Queenslanders in suicide prevention through the CORES program, which he now coordinates across the state. His journey began after the tragic loss of a close friend to suicide. “I was ready to go looking for some answers…and CORES just made sense. It was practical and community-focused,” he says.
Ross’s work extends beyond training, he runs bereavement groups, facilitates self-care workshops, and helps build stronger, more connected communities. “We know lives have been saved,” he shares. “The Award helped raise our profile and reinforced to our volunteers just how valuable they are. That’s suicide prevention is at its strongest, working together.”
2024 Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Award – Queensland Transcultural Mental Health Centre
This specialist service supports culturally diverse communities across Queensland with inclusive and responsive mental health care. Their bicultural workforce builds trust, while programs focus on prevention, early intervention and clinical care.
“As a team, we’ve always believed that everyone regardless of cultural or linguistic background, deserves access to care that respects who they are,” says Asmir Kospic, the Centre’s Statewide Manager. “Winning the Award validated that work, and celebrated the communities we serve. It energised us and gave visibility to work that often happens behind the scenes.”
2024 Not-for-Profit Organisation (101+ Staff) Award – Griffith Centre for Mental Health, Lived Experience Network (LEN)
The Lived Experience Network brings together more than 140 individuals with lived or living experience of mental distress, working to co-produce research that reflects community needs.
“We want lived experience voices not just at the table, but shaping the direction of mental health research,” says Dr Victoria Stewart, co-lead of LEN. “Being recognised through the Queensland Mental Health Awards helped raise our profile and open up new opportunities to support more inclusive, impactful research.”
What are the Awards are all about?
The Queensland Mental Health Awards celebrate leadership, innovation, inclusion, lived experience, and measurable impact in mental health. With ten categories spanning individual, organisational and community work, the Awards are designed to reflect the many ways people contribute to better mental health outcomes across the state.
Who can apply?
Award nominations are open to individuals, organisations, and local groups. You might be working in a clinical setting, a small community initiative, a research centre or on your own. If your work is creating positive mental health outcomes, you’re eligible. If you know someone else doing this work, they are too.
Why nominate?
Being recognised publicly can make a big difference not just to the individual or group receiving the Award, but to their work and the communities they serve. It can create new opportunities, boost credibility, and offer encouragement to keep going.
The award nominations process is simple and doesn’t require hours of paperwork. It’s an opportunity to share someone’s story and help amplify the impact they’re already having.
Nominate someone today, it could be the boost they didn’t know they needed.
Let’s recognise the people making change
There are people across Queensland just like Ross, Asmir and Victoria doing work that matters. This is your chance to help them be seen, celebrated, and supported.
If you know someone who’s leading the way in mental health, nominate them today.
If you’re that person or part of that team, don’t hesitate to put your name forward. Recognition through the Queensland Mental Health Awards has the power to open doors and your voice might be the one that gets them there.