Personality disorder programme No longer a diagnosis of exclusion

www.mentalhealthy.co.uk is launching the UK’s first ‘Mental Health Hero’ awards to recognise the unsung heroes of mental health.

Teaming up with Emergence and three mental health charities SANE, The Mental Health Foundation and The Centre for Mental Health, Mental Healthy aims to give credit and recognition to those who have contributed to the field of mental health.

There are four distinct awards designed to celebrate the achievements of individuals, organisations, professionals and businesses.

The Creative Hero award, in association with Emergence, recognises creative achievements of those in the field of mental health. For example this could be YouTube stars, artists, writers, poets, actors or musicians. The sub categories professional and amateur recognise creatives who have made a difference, raised awareness or helped others in a special way.

The Community Hero, award in association with SANE, recognises individuals who do not make a living in mental health, but have contributed in some way, for example this could be a book, a website, a support group or an extraordinary carer. Individuals and/or organisations whose primary income is not in this field are eligible to apply.

The Professional Hero, award in association with the Mental Health Foundation, recognises the heroes that work in the field of mental health, this could be counselling, research, social care or teaching. If you earn a living in the field you are eligible to apply.

The ‘Business Hero’ award, in association with The Centre for Mental Health, looks at the achievements of employers. Employee mental health is slowly becoming a priority for many businesses as they recognise the importance of their employees’ mental wellbeing. This award recognises the achievements of businesses that look after the mental health of their staff. Businesses big and small are eligible to enter.

Judges of the awards include a charity judge, a Mental Healthy member of staff and a celebrity in each category – confirmed judges include Dr Andrew McCulloch, Chief Executive of the Mental Health Foundation, Andy Bell, Deputy CEO of The Centre for Mental Health and Marjorie Wallace CBE, founder and chief executive of SANE.

Winners will have their work nationally recognized, have an article published about them and their work on www.mentalhealthy.co.uk, they will also receive prize goodies.

Mental Healthy invite applications, if you know someone who would be a worthy winner please go to www.mentalhealthy.co.uk/mental-health-awards and nominate now, you can also nominate yourself. Open until December 10 2011.