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Nominations open for the 2026 Australian Mental Health Prize

UNSW Sydney, Black Dog Institute and NeuRA

Key Facts:

- The Australian Mental Health Prize has opened nominations for its 2026 awards, calling for Australians who
have made outstanding contributions to mental health to be recognised for their leadership, advocacy,
research and care.

- Nominations for the 2026 Australian Mental Health Prize are now open and close on Friday 31 July, 2026.
- Visit the Australian Mental Health Prize website for more information and the nominations form.

From lived experience advocates to leading researchers, the Prize shines a spotlight on Australians changing the future of mental health.

The Australian Mental Health Prize has opened nominations for its 2026 awards, calling for Australians who have made outstanding contributions to mental health to be recognised for their leadership, advocacy, research and care.

Presented through a new collaboration between UNSW Psychiatry & Mental Health, the Black Dog Institute and Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA), the Prize celebrates individuals and community leaders improving the mental health and wellbeing of Australians.

Now in its eleventh year, the Australian Mental Health Prize recognises achievement across four categories: Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, Lived Experience, Professional and Community Hero.

“Many dedicated Australians work tirelessly to improve mental health, and the Australian Mental Health Prize is an important way of acknowledging their contributions,” said University of Sydney Adjunct Professor Sophie Scott, Chair of the Australian Mental Health Prize Advisory Group and award-winning journalist and author.

“This new partnership brings together leading expertise in research, clinical care and advocacy, strengthening the Prize’s ability to recognise Australians creating meaningful change in mental health.” 

UNSW Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Attila Brungs said the Prize highlights the importance of recognising Australians creating lasting impact in mental health.

“Through this collaboration between UNSW, the Black Dog Institute and NeuRA, we are proud to continue shining a light on innovation, compassion and evidence-based leadership in mental health. The Prize reflects our shared commitment to improving lives and driving meaningful change for communities nationwide,” Prof. Brungs said.

“The Australian Mental Health Prize highlights the strength of collaboration, uniting UNSW, Black Dog Institute and NeuRA in a shared commitment to improving mental health. By bringing together Australia’s expertise in research, clinical care and lived experience, this partnership strengthens our ability to recognise excellence and support the individuals and communities whose work is making a real and lasting difference,” said Black Dog Institute Chief Scientist and Executive Director, Professor Sam Harvey.

Scientia Professor Matthew Kiernan AM, NeuRA CEO said; “NeuRA is proud to work in partnership with UNSW Sydney and Black Dog Institute to support the Australian Mental Health Prize. It plays such an important role in highlighting both the toll of mental health on society and the efforts of amazing individuals to alleviate it.

“Last year’s winners encapsulated the broad spotlight of the Prize, from grassroots campaigns to bring dignity to those suffering mental ill-health, to decades of national advocacy – as well as the vital area of indigenous mental health.”

Since its establishment by UNSW Sydney in 2016, the Prize has honoured clinicians, researchers, advocates, educators and peer leaders whose work has driven meaningful change in mental health awareness, treatment and support.

Nominations Nominations for the 2026 Australian Mental Health Prize are now open and close on Friday 31 July, 2026.

Visit Australian Mental Health Prize for more information and the nominations form.

Nominations are open to anyone wishing to recognise an individual or organisation making a significant contribution to mental health in Australia.

The Australian Mental Health Prize encourages nominations from across the country, including regional, rural and remote communities, to ensure the diverse experiences and leadership shaping mental health outcomes nationwide are recognised and celebrated.

 Ends

Spokespeople available for interview:

Advisory Committee:

● Sophie Scott OAM – Chair; award-winning journalist and author

● UNSW Professor Kimberlie Dean – Forensic psychiatrist; member, Australian Mental Health Prize Advisory Group

● UNSW Professor Valsamma Eapen – Child psychiatrist; member, Australian Mental Health Prize Advisory Group

● UNSW Scientia Professor Henry Brodaty AO – Professor of Ageing and Mental Health; member, Australian Mental Health Prize Advisory Group

Collaborators:

● Professor Sam Harvey, Black Dog Institute Chief Scientist and Executive Director

● Scientia Professor Matthew Kiernan AM, NeuRA CEO and Institute Director

Past Winners on request including: 

● Major Hugo Toovey (SA, currently residing in Sydney) – 2025 Prize recipient – Army Major, cancer survivor and founder of 25StayAlive, a charity encouraging young adults to take their physical and mental health seriously at a stage of life when it’s often overlooked ● Keith Donnelly (NSW) – 2025 Prize recipient – Founder of Keith’s Closet, a volunteer-led initiative that restores dignity and self-worth to people experiencing mental illness

● Professor Pat Dudgeon (WA), 2025 Prize recipient – Director of the Centre of Best Practice in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention at the University of Western Australia

Background:

The Australian Mental Health Prize was established in 2016 by UNSW Sydney to recognise Australians who have made outstanding contributions to promoting mental health or preventing/treating mental illness.

Mental illnesses are common and highly disabling. In any given year, one in five adult Australians and one in seven children aged 4 to 17 will experience some form of mental illness. 

One in three Australians will experience a mental illness in their lifetime. Mental illness significantly impacts a person's ability to work, earn a living, and maintain close relationships.

Recent statistics highlight the scale and impact of mental health challenges in Australia:

 ● Youth Mental Health: A quarter of Australians aged 16-24 are experiencing a mental illness at any given time. Many people first experience symptoms during adolescence.

 ● Suicide Rates: More than 3,000 Australians die by suicide each year, with men being at greatest risk but least likely to seek help.

● Prevalence of Depression and Anxiety: Around one million Australian adults experience depression, and over two million suffer from anxiety each year. Depression ranks as the third highest burden of all diseases in Australia.

● Impact on Vulnerable Communities: Indigenous Australians experience significantly higher rates of psychological distress compared to the general population and have lower access to mental health services. LGBTIQA+ individuals also face very high rates of depression and psychological distress and are the most at-risk group in Australia for suicide.

● Impact on Women: Women are more likely to experience depression and anxiety during pregnancy and in the year following childbirth.

● Chronic Mental Health Conditions: According to the 2021 Australian Census, mental health issues have now surpassed all other chronic illnesses, with over 2.2 million Australians reporting a diagnosed mental illness. 

● Economic Impact: The cost of mental illness and suicide to Australia is estimated to be around $220 billion annually, as reported by the Productivity Commission.

Why establish the Australian Mental Health Prize?

Australia has led the way internationally in many aspects of mental health such as community awareness, public advocacy and innovative services. This includes innovative programs such as beyondblue, a mental health and wellbeing support organisation, and headspace, the national network of youth mental health services.

Our open public discourse involving politicians and high-profile individuals occurs in few other countries.

The Australian Mental Health Prize:

● Acknowledges and recognises the important and ground-breaking work that many Australians are doing for mental health

● Raises public awareness on the importance of mental health and

● Provides an incentive to improve services and outcomes for people with mental illness. What are the criteria for the Australian Mental Health Prize? The Prize is awarded annually to Australians who have made outstanding contributions to the promotion of mental health or the prevention or treatment of mental illness – in areas such as advocacy, research or service provision.

Who is involved with the Prize?

The Prize has been established by a group of eminent Australians in partnership with UNSW. Chaired by Sophie Scott, the Prize Advisory Group comprises: Associate Professor Mat Coleman, Dr Kim Jenkins AM, UNSW Scientia Professor Henry Brodaty AO, UNSW Professor Kimberlie Dean, UNSW Scientia Professor Philip Mitchell AM, UNSW Professor Valsamma Eapen and UNSW Professor Maree Toombs.

Contact details:

Please direct enquiries to Black Dog Institute
[email protected] | 0455 100 277