The Australian Trade College North Brisbane is proud to announce its recognition with the prestigious Schools Award at the 28th Queensland Mental Health Week Achievement Awards.
The Schools Award, sponsored by health and wellbeing-focused not-for-profit CheckUp, celebrates effective whole-school approaches that promote the mental health and wellbeing of students.
“The Queensland Mental Health Week Achievement Awards celebrate the remarkable contributions of individuals in the mental health sector,” says Open Minds CEO Kate Johnson.
“The Australian Trade College North Brisbane is a deserving recipient of this award due to its innovative approach to fostering mental health and wellbeing among its students.”
The award highlights the college’s commitment to addressing mental health challenges faced by young men in blue-collar trades.
Enhancing mental health and wellbeing
Open Minds is an independent not-for-profit organisation working to enhance mental health and wellbeing and has a proud 112-year history. a history. Open Minds employs over 400 staff across 35 locations in Queensland and New South Wales.
With more than 80 per cent of its students engaged in sectors such as construction, mining, and energy fields where young men are tragically twice as likely to die by suicide, the college recognises the urgent need for intervention. These initiatives aim to increase help-seeking, value diversity, reduce stigma, and
provide clear referral pathways through events, campaigns, programs, and the curriculum.
The college’s Powered with Positivity initiative seeks to change the narrative surrounding mental health. The program is grounded in positive psychology and encourages every student to discover positivity and build mental resilience.
As a Positive Behaviour for Learning school, the Australian Trade College North Brisbane endeavours to create a safe and uplifting environment, cultivating tradespeople equipped not only with technical skills but also with positive mental health habits and wellbeing literacy.
The winners across 11 categories were announced at a ceremony on Friday, 11 October, at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre. Each category winner will receive $500, while the overall winner was presented with the Earle Duus Memorial Award, accompanied by a prize of $4,000.
The two other finalists in the category won by the Australian Trade School North Brisbane were:
Agnes Water State School – Smiling Minds Program
A school-wide mindfulness program focusing on emotional regulation, resilience, and wellbeing. Agnes Water State School supports students through meditation, gratitude activities, and the
Random Acts of Kindness initiative.
Brisbane State High School – WoW (Wheel of Wellbeing) Weeks
A mental health initiative incorporating national events like R U OK? Day, promoting help-seeking,
reducing stigma and fostering diversity. The school’s ARC curriculum ensures early
support for at-risk students.
