MEDIA RELEASE - Queensland Mental Health Awards Now Accepting Nominations
Open Minds is pleased to announce that nominations are open for the 30th Annual Queensland Mental Health Awards, which will be held on Friday 9 October at the Brisbane City Town Hall as part of Queensland Mental Health Week.
Open Minds is pleased to announce that nominations are open for the 30th Annual Queensland Mental Health Awards, which will be held on Friday 9 October at the Brisbane City Town Hall as part of Queensland Mental Health Week.
The Queensland Mental Health Awards (QMHA) recognise the outstanding achievements, leadership, innovation and community impact of individuals, groups and organisations making a meaningful difference to mental health and wellbeing across the state.
Open Minds CEO, Karen Hale-Robertson said the Awards are an important opportunity to recognise and honour Queenslanders who are making a positive impact every day.
“At Open Minds, we believe every person’s experience matters and that strong, connected communities are key to mental health and wellbeing.
“These awards celebrate individuals, communities and organisations who are walking alongside others, creating opportunities for participation, and supporting people across Queensland to live meaningful and self-directed lives,” said Ms Hale-Roberston.
This year’s categories include recognition for contributions to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, Culturally and Linguistically Diverse communities, people with lived experience, early years, school sectors and will also highlight excellence within LGBTQIA+ communities, not-for-profit organisations (this year separated into two categories based on annual turnover), and workplaces.
Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Queensland Alliance for Mental Health, and 2026 QMHA Judge, Chloe Jesson said the awards provide a vital annual opportunity during Queensland Mental Health Week to highlight the often under-recognised efforts of community-managed organisations, peer workers, carers and local champions and to celebrate lived experience, elevate community-led approaches and remind the public that acknowledging and supporting mental health is a shared responsibility.
“So much of the brilliant work happening across Queensland to support mental health and wellbeing never makes the news, but as a judge, I see that work up close every year, and there is far more of it than most people realise.
“These awards, and Queensland Mental Health Week, are one of the few opportunities we have to come together to grow and strengthen our community, recognise where people are building wellbeing and bring the great work of individuals and organisations into public view,” said Ms Jesson.
Nominations for the Queensland Mental Health Awards close on Monday 3 August 2026.
The theme for the 2026 Queensland Mental Health Week is Build Community, Build Wellbeing.
Open Minds, part of the Vertaview Group, is a leading not-for-profit provider of community mental health and psychosocial disability services, who work across Queensland and New South Wales to enhance mental health and wellbeing by delivering a range of tailored supports focused on the individual needs of each person.
ENDS
Click here to download our Nominations Pack
