Exceptional mental health carers and supporters recognised

6/11/07 People who work tirelessly to improve the lives of others living with mental illnesses have been recognised by the WA Mental Health Good Outcomes Awards.

6/11/07
People who work tirelessly to improve the lives of others living with mental illnesses have been recognised by the WA Mental Health Good Outcomes Awards.
Health Minister Jim McGinty thanked all the finalists and said he was impressed with the outstanding calibre of nominations.
"Many of the people recognised today have been affected by mental illness themselves or have been there to support a loved one and, despite their own challenges, they have stepped up to help others," Mr McGinty said.
"This is a difficult and much misunderstood area of health care and all of the finalists have demonstrated compassion, integrity and dedication to supporting people with mental illnesses and their families.
"In particular, the finalists in the Mental Health Employee Award and the Leanne Wood Award for Excellence have shown courage, vision and exceptional leadership in working towards better mental health for the Western Australian community.
"These finalists have developed a range of innovative programs, ground breaking mental health research and effective mental health resources."
Mr McGinty announced that the inaugural Media Award would be named after the Honourable Keith Wilson in recognition of his contribution to raising community awareness of mental health issues in WA and across Australia.
"I am pleased that the Honourable Keith Wilson Award for Media Excellence will acknowledge media stories that are respectful of people with mental illness and their families and help to raise awareness and breakdown stigma," Mr McGinty said.
Finalists:
Government organisation

  • Eating Disorder Program - Princess Margaret Hospital (Winner);
  • Mental Health Hospital at Home - North Metropolitan Health Service; and
  • Multisystemic Therapy Programme - South Metropolitan Health Service.
Not-for-profit organisation - sponsored by Curtin University
  • Body Esteem Program - Women's Healthworks, Joondalup;
  • Ord Valley Aboriginal Health Service Social Support Unit, Kununurra (Special Commendation); and
  • Richmond Fellowship WA, Bentley (Winner).
Private organisation
  • Aboriginal Psychological Counselling and Consultancy Services, Parkwood (Winner);
  • Community Mental Health - St John of God Hospital Murdoch; and
  • Romily House, Claremont.
Consumer group or individual
  • Bridge Association Incorporated for people with eating disorders, Subiaco;
  • Hearing Voices Network - auspiced by the Richmond Fellowship WA, Bentley (Winner); and
  • Margaret Cook, Mindarie (Winner).
Carer group or individual
  • Helen Charlesworth; and
  • Mental Health Carer Confidentiality Collaboration - Carers WA, North Perth (Winner).
Mental health employee
  • Michael Bollom of Bunbury, Welfare Officer, WA Country Health Service, South West;
  • Leslie Nolan, Clinical Nurse Consultant Older Adult Mental Health Liaison Team, Selby Old Age Psychiatry; and
  • Dr Bernadette Wright of Shelley, Clinical Psychologist, Transcultural Mental Health Centre (Winner).
Mental health promotion and prevention - sponsored by St John of God
  • Positive Mental and Emotional Health Publications - Office for Youth (Winner);
  • Mental Health Week Campaign - WA Association for Mental Health, West Perth; and
  • Mentally Healthy WA - The Centre for Behavioural Research in Cancer Control, Curtin University.
Mental health research and education
  • 'A clinical pathway and guidelines for the provision of antenatal care to pregnant women with serious mental illness' - Centre for Clinical Research in Neuropsychiatry, Telethon Institute of Child Health Research and Curtin University of Technology and sponsored by North Metropolitan Area Mental Health Service. Researchers: Assoc Prof Daniel Rock, Dr Yvonne Hauck, Ms Tanyana Jackiewicz and Prof Assen Jablensky (Winner);
  • Prof Osvaldo P. Almeida - WA Centre for Health and Ageing, University of Western Australia; and
  • Mentally Healthy WA - The Centre for Behavioural Research in Cancer Control, Curtin University.
The Hon. Keith Wilson Award for Media Achievement - sponsored by the WA Association for Mental Health
  • Mental health interviews on 6EBA EthnicAbility Radio Program - Ethnic Disability Advocacy Centre, Subiaco;
  • 'The stampede to access new mental health services' - Stateline WA; and
  • 'The tragedy of losing a loved one to suicide' - Stateline WA (Winner).
The Leanne Wood Award for Excellence
  • Lyn Mahboub, Richmond Fellowship of WA;
  • Catherine Stevenson, Executive Officer, Council of Official Visitors; and
  • Hon. Keith Wilson (Winner).
Mr McGinty said the State Government was committed to boosting mental health services and supporting the mental health workforce across the State through its $173million WA Mental Health Strategy.
"The Strategy is providing additional inpatient beds and community accommodation, expanding community mental health services, improving mental health emergency services and significantly increasing the number of mental health clinicians in WA," he said.
"These awards play an important role in publicly recognising dedicated individuals and outstanding organisations working to improve the lives of people with a mental illness."
Minister's office: 9422 3000