Letters
Australian Mental Health Prize
Ed,
The majority of Australians are touched by the impact of mental health in some way.
Many live with the daily burden of anxiety or depression, or care for a loved one. Devastatingly, thousands of Australians die by suicide each year and many more make an attempt. It is the leading cause of death for Australians between 15 and 44 years of age, but it can be prevented.
There are thousands of people working tirelessly to make a difference in this field and their efforts could not be more urgent. Anyone who knows of such a person would no doubt appreciate their achievements, but I would encourage them to take it one step further and nominate them for the Australian Mental Health Prize.
The Prize was established to acknowledge those who are doing innovative work in this area, whether they are involved in the industry as a vocation or are advocates because they have been touched by mental illness. Acknowledging those who work or volunteer in the industry is an important part of the process to destigmatising mental illness.
Nominations are now open and I urge people to nominate people in your area.
More information and nomination forms can be obtained from www.australianmentalhealthprize.org.au
Entries close on 7 September.
For those who are living with the burden of mental illness every day, thank you for your support.
Ita Buttrose AO OBE
Chair – Australian Mental Health Prize Advisory Group