Mental Health Week
9 – 15 October 2011
During Mental Health Week 2011, Open Minds staff and clients will participate in a number of events throughout South East Queensland.
Further details about Mental Health Week activities can be found at www.mentalhealthweek.com.au
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Mental Health Achievement Awards
Open Minds is proud to continue our partnership with Queensland Health to present the annual Earle Duus Award as part of the Mental Health Achievement Awards. Noiminations for 2011 Awards are now open, click here for more detail.
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2010 Mental Health Week Summary
The 2010 Mental Health Week Achievement Awards were held at Hillstone St Lucia on Friday 15 October and officially opened by the Hon Annastacia Palaszczuk, former Minister for Disability Services and Multicultural Affairs. Dr Aaron Groves, Executive Director of the Mental Health Directorate, Queensland Health lead the judging panel and many distinguished guests in presenting the awards; including Mr Mick Reid, Director General, Queensland Health.
The master of ceremonies was journalist and newsreader, Jessica Rowe. Jessica spoke passionately about the importance of promoting awareness of mental health issues – and talked of her experience growing up with her mother who experienced Bipolar Disorder and of her personal experience of postnatal depression following the birth of her first child 4 years ago.
Over the six categories for the awards, there were more than 20 finalists who had been drawn from more than 100 nominations, culminating in the presentation of the prestigious Earle Duus Award.
Open Minds was proud to award the twelfth annual Earle Duus Award to Nadia Beer OAM. Nadia commenced work as a psychologist at Wolston Park Hospital in 1973. In 1977, Nadia established the Office of the Patients’ Friend, Australia’s first in-house mental health advocacy service and continued to work as the Consumer Advocate at The Park – Centre for Mental Health. Nadia was awarded the Order of Australia Medal in 2009 for services in mental health advocacy.
Congratulations to all nominees and finalists.
Category winners in 2010 are: 
- Consumer or consumer organisation: Michael Burge of Queensland Health, for his advocacy with patients on the Darling Downs.
- Carer or carer organisation: Lynn Forster, a long-time volunteer for the Mental Health Unit at Cairns Base Hospital.
- Non-government or community organisation: Larry Stapleton of the Richmond Fellowship Qld, providing a transition support service for people leaving jail who have high or complex mental health needs.
- Media: Lexy Hamilton-Smith of Channel Ten News, for a report on a suicide prevention program in the construction industry
- Individual: Nadia Beer, an advocate at The Park – Centre for Mental Health who’s advocate service assists patients through information, program support, and protection of their rights as patients.
- Government service or research and education:Professor David Kavanagh of the Queensland University of Technology for the On Track information website including help lines and emergency services
. - Highly Commended:MATES in Construction Program, OzHelp Queensland for raising awareness on site for signs when a mate is struggling and life skills training for apprentices; and reactive from an intervention perspective providing a 24/7 crisis care line, call out service and case management.
Congratulations to all winners and to all those who were nominated.
Read more about Earle Duus here or visit the 2011 Mental Health Achievement Awards page.