This October I was delighted to host, for the sixth time, the Mental Health Blog Awards. Celebrating mental health bloggers, podcasters, vloggers and creators. There are so many individuals and groups now putting in such huge effort and emotion into their posts. Their words each year continuing to help change lives. They inform, educate, support and signpost. Their posts show readers/ listeners/ viewers that it is ok not to be ok, that you can still succeed even if you are struggling. A huge thank you all bloggers and creators for continuing to be part of our online community in whatever way works for them.
The Mental Health Blog Awards celebrate and recognise everyone's achievements and efforts, not just those shortlisted or the winners. While there are award winners, hopefully if you havent won or made a shortlist, you still feel celebrated. Regardless of nomination, shortlisting or winning, all our mental health bloggers and creators are amazing and inspirational. They are part of the reason for The Awards existing.
Listen to this years Awards Ceremony on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
History
Back in 2016-2017 I had this frustration that mental health bloggers were under recognised and celebrated within blogging communities. Gradually ideas developed into plans and then in 2018 we hosted the first MHBA in Portsmouth. Since then a range of changes have been made to make the event more inclusive and accessible, including our initially reactive move from our planned 2020 venue in Oxford to online hosting. Which made attending and engagement from non UK bloggers and creators much more possible. Additionally, given the lived experiences and preferences of our main community hosting online made much more sense as it provides the opportunity for individuals to attend in a way they feel comfortable and safe to.
The journey from that frustration and ideas in 2016 to now is such a sense of pride. There will always be things that can be developed and improved, that's why each years there has been at least a little change, if not a more noticeable one. But where we are today/ this year, with 6 years of MHBA, it is just amazing.
Since 2018, we have had over 300 individuals put themselves forward as nominees, over 14,000 individuals have voted, with 40 award winners and 2 two-time winners.
We have had a range of generous sponsors, from large companies to community not for profits and individuals. Each sponsor has helped to keep the MHBA running and accessible.
Speakers
Since 2019 we have had some amazing guest speakers, sharing insights and expertise. This year we were delighted to have Heather, Luke and Sophie share their sessions:
Heather (@wondherful) - One More Suicide Is One Too Many - A non profit journey
Luke (@stresssessions) - From Surviving to Thriving: Men’s Mental Wellness
Sophie (@SophieMeiLan_) - Transforming your blog into a YouTube channel or podcast
Each speaker shared elements of their own lived experiences along with tips and tools to better engage in support, self development, blog development or signposting.
Watch our 2023 speakers video - on facebook here
Shortlist
This year we had such as great range of bloggers and creators, the shortlists for 2023 were:
Project of the Year
Catalyst Support
Katja - Sorry My Mental Illness Isn't Sexy Enough For You
Steve -Steve's Big Bipolar Challenge
Stu - The Noisy Brain
Wondherful
Imagery of the Year
asafeplacex
Jimmy & Vignesh
Naziat- pearlsofwellbeing
Steve - Two Beats Apart
Podcaster of the Year
Dave - Mindset By Dave
Hannah & Tatum- The Beautiful Minds Podcast
Hazel - Reality Tourists
Keith - The Endless Spiral
Stuart - The OCD Stories podcast
The Beautiful Minds Podcast
The Stress Sessions
Vlogger of the Year
Ann Gath
Bryan - bpdbryan
Dan - The Running Manc
Dave - Mindset By Dave
Dennis – Psychreg
Richie - mental health and life
Sophie Mei Lan - Mama Mei
Socials Champion of the Year
Brooke - Becoming Indomitable
Chloë - Chlo She Grows
Suzanne - Honesty About Editing
The Morning Coffee Run
The Stress Sessions
Community Choice Champion
Leah - Wellness Medic
Megan - Because Mental Health
Molly - Letters of Kindness UK
Seriah - Riyah Speak
Steph - Divamum
Blogger of the Year
Adam - The Anxiety Philosopher
Ann Gath
Brooke - Becoming Indomitable
Daragh - Thoughts Too Big
Dennis – Psychreg
Soph - Like I Care
And our 2023 winners were:
Project of the Year
Winner - Heather, Wondherful
Runner up - Stu, The Noisy Brain
Imagery of the Year
Winner - Steve, Two Beats Apart
Runner up - asafeplacex
Podcaster of the Year
Winner - Hannah & Tatum, The Beautiful Minds Podcast
Runner up - Luke, The Stress Sessions
Vlogger of the Year
Winner - Ann Gath
Runner up - Dave, Mindset By Dave
Socials Champion of the Year
Winner - Chloë, Chlo She Grows
Runner up - Luke, The Stress Sessions
Community Choice Champion
Winner - Leah, Wellness Medic
Runner up - Molly, Letters of Kindness UK
Blogger of the Year
Winner - Brooke, Becoming Indomitable
Runner up - Soph, Like I Care
Community Leaders
Since 2020 I have had the awesome support of Community Leaders; volunteers who provide their insights and expertise to support the development and running of MHBA each year. Without them the Awards would likely have already stopped. This year in particular Anna and Hannah have been massive for MHBA, we definitely hope they stay on for 2024!
If you would like to be part of our 2024 planning and development as a Community Leader, find out more at mhblogawards.com/our-team
Mental Health Blog Awards
This year again we have had great feedback, both positive and informative, with some valuable suggestions. Hosting these Awards and being part of this online community continues to be a huge privilege. It has also been a wonderful opportunity to discover new mental health bloggers, creators and projects. I really recommend checking and following all of our nominees, speakers and winners. These is so many different versions of mental health and wellbeing conversations happening and different tips, tools and services being signposted to.
I am already excited for Mental Health Blog Awards 2024!
Find out more and keep up to date at mhblogawards.com