the mentl awards dubbed the region’s Met Gala for mental health
In a glittering night of inspiration and celebration the winners of ‘the mentl awards 2024’ were crowned from across industries as well as individual stories of courage.
The second year of the awards saw a record number of entries and attendees at the gala dinner, staged in spectacular fashion at the C3 Connect Conference Centre at Expo City Dubai.
Finalists gathered to discover whether the prestigious independent jury of judges from the region and globally has chosen their entry to lift one of the coveted trophies.
The first winner of the night Aspen Heights British School was for Outstanding mental health initiative in education.
Emma Shanahan, principal of the school, was joined by students who had become mental health ambassadors determined to help their peers, said: “This award means so much to the children, staff and families at Aspen Heights, British School.”
Dr. Justin Thomas is a chartered psychologist and senior researcher in the Digital Wellbeing Program (Sync) at the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra), which took the prize for Best in Saudi Arabia category, said: “The mentl awards, now in their second year, is essentially the region’s Met Gala for mental health.
“The existence of an award ceremony honouring those who promote psychological well-being and mental health signals the importance we now place on such initiatives across the region.
“There was a time not too long ago when mental health was, at best, not even mentioned. The mentl event was flawless.”
The ceremony featured a keynote address by therapist and author Marisa Peer, emphasizing the importance of mental health initiatives. The event also provided a platform for organizations and individuals to showcase their efforts in promoting mental well-being.
The awards ceremony was not just a celebration of winners but a recognition of the team efforts behind mental health initiatives. Speakers highlighted the crucial role of peer support, community services, allied health professionals, and workplace mental health programs in reducing stigma and creating safer spaces for open conversations about mental well-being.
The biggest winner on the night was KEO International Consultants which won five awards for their work in the UAE, Qatar and Kuwait, as well as taking the Construction crown and Human Resources, plus they came Highly Commended in the Saudi Arabia category.
Jillian Geddes, Human Resources Director, for KEO International Consultants, said: “We’ve been watching the mentl awards for quite some time. We are really passionate advocates of mental health in the workplace, so to be acknowledged as the best HR and Recruitment team for mental health and support is just a really, really wonderful acknowledgement of all the hard work and all the effort we actually put in to reflecting our KEO core values.”
Scott Armstrong, founder of mentl and ‘the mentl awards 2024’, hailed the sense of community at the awards.
“More than 100 individuals and organisations entered and we’ve had close to 250 attend tonight’s dinner, and these are 250 people who care which simply creates such a positive night.
“The awards are about lifting up these inspiring pioneers who are determined to make the world a better place.”
Gallery
The champions of ‘the mentl awards 2024’
Outstanding mental health initiative in education:
Aspen Heights British School (Winner)
Aldar Education – Kent College Dubai (highly commended)
Best mental health care in the creative industries
Acorn Strategy – Planting Seeds of Support (Winner)
Ghenwa Yehia – Khaleej Times (highly commended)
Best mental health initiative in Saudi Arabia
Sync Digital Wellbeing (Winner)
KEO International Consultants (highly commended)
Most innovative mental health tech
Siira and Gheorg (Winners)
BIONIKX (highly commended)
Outstanding mental health initiative in sports, fitness and wellness
ASICS/Move her Mind (Winner)
Amazing Trekkers Club (highly commended)
Best mental health initiative in Qatar
KEO International Consultants
Outstanding diversity, equity and inclusion initiative
Aldar Education – Kent College Dubai (Winner)
ImInclusive (highly commended)
Outstanding mental health event/event sector support
The Workspace Summit @Workspace Exhibition/dmg events
Best use of design to support mental health
ROAR Studio and Say Studio/Siemens Energy (Joint Winners)
Best mental health care in professional services
Deloitte Middle East (Winner)
Acorn Strategy (highly commended)
Best mental health initiative in Kuwait
KEO International Consultants (Winner)
Most improved entrant year on year
Creation Business Consultants
Outstanding community impact by mental health providers
Sakina (Winner)
The Lighthouse Arabia and The Free Spirit Collective (jointly highly commended)
Most impactful financial literacy project
Conscious Finance Coaching (winner)
Outstanding mental health support in the energy industry
Enoc (winner)
Advance Global Recruitment (AGR) (highly commended)
Best mental health support in PR and communications
TishTash Communications and Current Global MENAT (winners)
Acorn Strategy (highly commended)
Outstanding mental health support in construction
KEO International Consultants (Winner)
Outstanding mental health support in the retail sector
Chalhoub Group
Best mental health program for hospitality and tourism
The Spirit of Jumeirah – Jumeirah Group (Winner)
Dubai Chef’s Collective (highly commended)
Best mental health care in the legal profession
Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP (Winner)
Pinsent Masons (highly commended)
Outstanding contribution in healthcare to mental health
AES Health (Winner)
Sakina (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) (highly commended)
Best mental health care in human resources and recruitment
KEO International Consultants (Winner)
Dulsco Group and British Chamber of Commerce Dubai (highly commended)
Best mental health initiative in the UAE
KEO International Consultants (Winner)
Acorn Strategy (highly commended)
Mental Health Heroes: Empathy in Leadership
David Stockton – CEO of Dulsco Group
Mental Health Heroes: Advocate of the Year
Wellbeing Leaders Community (Winner)
Dr Saliha Afridi, Natasha Hatherall and Abtaluna/Lama Andari (highly commended)
Mental Health Heroes: Overcoming barriers to succeed
Anna Marie Lopes (Winner)
Saeed AlMheiri (highly commended)
Mental Health Heroes: Mental Health Champion 2024
Dr Nahida Nayaz Ahmed (Winner)
Sharon James (highly commended)
