• Demonstrating your organisation’s commitment to supporting mental wellbeing

• Highlighting positive workplace or school culture to staff, students and stakeholders

• Supporting recruitment and retention by showcasing a supportive workplace environment

• Supporting school enrolement by highlighting a strong pastoral care system

• Encouraging open conversations about mental health within your organisation and community

• A framed Investors in Mental Health certificate

• Permission to use the Investors in Mental Health logo on your website and communications

• Recognition through AWARE NI channels and local media

• The opportunity to celebrate your achievements at the Investors in Mental Health Awards event

• Investor in Mental Health Award

  (Organisations should demonstrate activity across the following areas.)

  • Implement an AWARE programme to one or more year groups (Pawsb/.Breathe, My mind and me, Mood Matters Young People)
  • Ensure easy access to school counsellor or other mental health support
  • Have accessible mental health information and signposting on your website or intranet for staff and pupils
  • Have additional mental health programmes delivered to pupils or teachers
  • Have a Mental Health Champion/Ambassador role within the school eg have mental health committee/focus group/sub group - system that encourages pupil-teacher wellbeing
  • Promote the PHA’s 5 ways to wellbeing within the school through leaflets, posters, notice boards etc
  • Display an ongoing commitment to staff's mental health include training, information, signposting, support.

• Investor in Mental Health Gold Standard Award

  (Must meet all of the criteria above plus the criteria below)

  • Maintain a consistent focus on mental health and wellbeing throughout the year. Examples of this include a wellbeing calendar of events, regular social media posts for positive mental health, and highlighting volunteer opportunities in the school/community.
  • Undertake fundraising to support mental health.
  • Implement engagement or training for parents to support positive mental health.
  • PHA 5 ways to wellbeing events/activities scheduled for whole school e.g. PSHE, Mental Health daily mile, fundraiser, 5 ways day (Doing something, not just promoting)
  • Create a designated mental health space e.g. wall, room, or garden within the school for pupils.

• Investor in Mental Health Award

  (Organisations should demonstrate activity across the following areas.)

  • Implement one of AWARE’s mental health awareness programmes for one or more groups of employees.
  • Provide signposting within the workplace to external mental health support e.g. provision of leaflets, counselling
  • Have accessible mental health information on your website or intranet for staff
  • Engage in continuous and relevant mental health education
  • Foster a mentally healthy workplace and culture of wellbeing. E.g. breaking down stigma, encouraging people to connect with each other or get away from screens, allowing appropriate breaks, having healthy boundaries with work finish times
  • Have a Mental Health Champion/Ambassador role e.g. MHFA or ASIST trained, or have mental health committee/focus group.
  • Promote the PHA’s ‘Take 5 ways to wellbeing’ within the workplace, e.g. through leaflets, posters, noticeboards, emails.

• Investor in Mental Health Gold Standard Award

  (Must meet all of the criteria above plus the criteria below)

  • Maintaining a consistent focus on mental health and wellbeing throughout the year e.g through a wellbeing calendar, regular social media posts for positive mental health, and highlighting volunteer opportunities in the community.
  • Engagement or training for networks to support positive mental health, e.g hosted or facilitated mental health training or awareness sessions.
  • Undertake fundraising to support mental health
  • PHA 5 ways to wellbeing events/activities scheduled for whole organisation eg Fundraiser, 5 ways day (Doing something, not just promoting)
  • Have a designated mental health space within your workplace, e.g. quiet room, or garden.
  • Have an Employee Assistance Programme in place
  • Embody the commitments of the Mental Health Charter

Organisations should demonstrate activity across the areas outlined in the criteria. If you're unsure whether an activity would count towards an aspect of the criteria please contact a member of our team by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and we will gladly offer advice and guidance.

Applicants will be asked to provide a small number of examples that demonstrate their commitment to supporting mental health.

Examples of supporting evidence may include:

• Wellbeing policies or action plans

• Photos or descriptions of wellbeing activities or events

• Communications promoting mental health awareness

• Information shared with staff, students, volunteers or members

• Details of training, workshops or awareness sessions delivered

• Examples of partnerships or initiatives supporting mental wellbeing

You do not need to submit extensive documentation - just enough information to demonstrate the work your organisation is doing.

Yes. The Investors in Mental Health Awards recognise organisations of all sizes. Many community groups and smaller organisations are already taking important steps to support mental wellbeing and are encouraged to apply.

No. There is no cost to apply for the Investors in Mental Health Awards.

Successful organisations will receive an Investors in Mental Health certificate and recognition for their commitment to promoting positive mental wellbeing. Recipients will also be invited to attend the Investors in Mental Health Awards event.