People from all parts of mental health services have been recognised for their vital contributions to addressing mental health issues across Australia and New Zealand, during TheMHS Gala Dinner in Sydney on Thursday 6 August 2026, hosted by TheMHS Learning Network and emceed by Natasha Mitchell.

Eleven Awards across eight categories were presented by TheMHS Awards Ambassador, Professor Lisa Brophy, and TheMHS Awards founder Roger Gurr AM, to individuals and organisations during the awards presentation.

The Awards acknowledge and promote best-practice in the delivery of mental health services; innovation, consumer-focus and lived-experience leadership; excellence in mental health research; as well as media and journalism that helps decrease the stigma which can still be associated with mental distress.

The Mental Health Service Awards have been recognising excellence, innovation and best practice in mental health in Australia and New Zealand for over 30 years.

Award recipients

Exceptional Contribution Award

Prof JR Baker
Mental Health Service Excellence Award

Beyond the Emergency Department - 24 hour Trauma informed Urgent Mental Health Care

Urgent Mental Health Care Centre
Mental Health Service Excellence Award

Piri Pono: Crisis, Care, and the Power of Lived Experience

Ember Korowai Takitini
Lived Experience Change Maker Carers / Family / Whānau Award

Ravi Krishnamurthy
Lived Experience Change Maker Carers / Family / Whānau Award

Amaya Alvarez
Lived Experience Change Maker Consumer/ Tangata whai ora Award

Keir Saltmarsh
Lived Experience Change Maker Consumer/Tangata whai ora Award

Janet Karagounis
The Tom Trauer Evaluation and Research Award

Sharon Lawn
Mental Health Program Excellence Award

LIVE4LIFE: RURAL YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH & SUICIDE PREVENTION

Youth Live4Life Ltd
Special Judges Research Award

Changing Lives: The Mental Health And Wellbeing Connect Centre Family Carer Lived Experience Workforce Story

RMIT University & FaCRAN (Family and Carer Research Advocacy Network)
Lived Experience Led Storytelling Award

How Youth Peer Support Assists Mental Health Recovery

Bayside Health - Alfred Health Care Group

Finalists

Mental Health Program Excellence

Let's Talk About Voices

NSLHD MHDA
Mental Health Program Excellence

Together, We Climb Upward - Peer Support Transformation at WALSH Trust

Walsh Trust
Mental Health Program Excellence

Mind Set Engage - Leading a Cultural Shift in Mental Wellbeing through Rugby

New Zealand Rugby
Mental Health Service Excellence

Advancing Mental Health Education Through Lived Experience-Led Learning: A Five-Day Immersive Learning Model

Recovery Camp

Celebrating excellence in mental health