2025 Australian Mental Health Prize entries open until 23 July

Now in its 10th year, the 2025 Australian Mental Health Prize is a national prize honouring Australians who have made outstanding contributions to mental health across four categories:

• Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
• Lived experience
• Professional
• Community hero
   

Under the professional category, the award recognises and celebrates “outstanding mental health leadership in the clinical, academic or professional sectors at a national level”.

“This milestone year is a chance to celebrate the quiet achievers — the people improving mental health outcomes every day, often without recognition,” said Adjunct Professor Sophie Scott, Chair of the Australian Mental Health Prize Advisory Group. “We’re encouraging people across Australia to help us find and honour them.”

Mental illness significantly impacts a person’s ability to work, earn a living and maintain close relationships. Common and highly disabling, in any given year one in five adult Australians and one in seven children aged 4–17 will experience some form of mental illness; further, one in three Australians will experience a mental illness in their lifetime.

Leadership across many areas — from peer work, clinical care, research and education to advocacy, cultural healing and grassroots community action — is recognised by the prize. “Mental health leadership looks different in every community,” Scott said. “That’s why it’s so important to receive nominations from across the country — including places and people that are often overlooked.”

The prize was established in 2016 by UNSW Sydney. Nominations are open until 23 July. More information, including how to nominate, is available at www.australianmentalhealthprize.org.au.

Image: Past winners of the Australian Mental Health Prize