Words by Abi Scaife
This week marks The Mental Health Foundation’s Mental Health Awareness Week 2024.
This week is all about recognising how important our mental health is, raising awareness for the mental health struggles that affect so many people, and sharing helpful advice on how to manage your own mental health.
In honour of that, Smiley News is sharing some of the incredible winners from our Smiley Charity Film Awards 2024 whose work revolves around mental health.
Whether they won bronze, silver, or gold, we can attest that the work of these amazing charities is making a huge difference in our world, and that is something to celebrate.
Menfulness is a men’s social well-being group that encourages men to get together, exercise, and open up about how they are feeling, to help their mental and physical health. Menfulness’s impactful film ‘One More Day’ won the Judge’s gold in the under £100,000 category at the Smiley Charity Film Awards in 2024.
You can view their winning film here. To find out more about Menfulness and what they do, visit their website here.
Acacia Family Support is a charity which helps to support parents who are experiencing pre and postnatal depression and anxiety through individual, group and peer support services. Their film ‘Dads Struggle Too’ won the Judge’s silver in the £450,000-£1 million category at the Smiley Charity Film Awards in 2024.
You can view their winning film here. To find out more about Acacia Family Support and what they do, visit their website here.
While this charity doesn’t only help people who are struggling with their mental well-being, Racing Welfare supports the workforce of British horseracing through a variety of life’s trials, including poor mental health. For Mental Health Awareness Week 2023, they created ‘Mental Health Awareness Week 2023 - Anxiety’ about some of the mental health struggles experienced by horse racers. This film won Judge’s silver in the £2.5-£5 million category at the Smiley Charity Film Awards in 2024.
You can view their winning film here. To find out more about Racing Welfare and what they do, visit their website here.
The New Normal is a completely free alternative to one-on-one therapy, changing the way we discuss our grief, mental health and well-being in open and honest spaces. Their film ‘Mental Health - GoodHabitz Documentaries’ won Judge’s bronze in the longform under £100,000 category at the Smiley Charity Film Awards in 2024.
You can view their winning film here. To find out more about The New Normal and what they do, visit their website here.
The Consortium for the Prevention of Suicide was set up with the hope of building understanding, compassion, and a collective determination to make a difference, to create a more mental health-friendly workplace. Their film ‘Courage’ won the People’s Choice Award gold in the longform under £100,000 category at the Smiley Charity Film Awards in 2024.
You can view their winning film here. To find out more about The Consortium for the Prevention of Suicide and what they do, visit their website here.
Quinn’s Retreat is a brilliant charity, set up in memory of 19-year-old Quinn, that offers a retreat for those bereaved by suicide. Their film ‘Speak Their Name - North East Suicide Memorial Quilt’ won the People’s Choice Award silver in the longform under £100,000 category at the Smiley Charity Film Awards 2024.
You can view their winning film here. To find out more about Quinn’s Retreat and what they do, visit their website here.
Baton of Hope UK is designed to be the UK's largest-ever suicide prevention initiative. Their film ‘Baton of Hope UK: Brighton, 5th July 2023’ won the People’s Choice Award bronze in the longform under £100,000 category at the Smiley Charity Film Awards 2024.
You can view their winning film here. To find out more about Baton of Hope UK and what they do, visit their website here.
R;pple Suicide Prevention exists to reduce exposure to harmful online content relating to self-harm and suicide through incredible technology, set up by founder Alice Hendy. Their film ‘Josh’s Story’, about Alice’s brother Josh, won the Judge’s bronze in the longform £100,000-£1 million category at the Smiley Charity Film Awards 2024.
You can view their winning film here. To find out more about R;pple Suicide Prevention and what they do, visit their website here.
While not a charity, Norwich City Football Club created their film ‘#YouAreNotAlone’ as part of a wider campaign to proactively promote positive mental health. This was in response to uncovering a statistic that showed the average age and demographic of their season ticket holders correlates to the age bracket most likely to die by suicide (45-49 males). Their film won the Judge’s gold in the Corporate Cause category at the Smiley Charity Film Awards 2024.
You can view their winning film here. To find out more about Norwich City Football Club and what they are doing to help their fan’s mental health, visit their website here.
At Smiley Movement, we like to elevate the work of charities across the world. Here are three charities whose causes align with the themes in this article.
Campaign to End Loneliness. This charity campaigns to make sure that people most at risk of loneliness are reached and supported. Support them here.
Samaritans. Samaritans works to make sure there's always someone there for anyone who needs someone. Find out more here.
Ripple Suicide Prevention. R;pple exists to ensure immediate mental health support is presented to individuals following a harmful online search. Learn more here.
This article aligns with the UN SDG Good Health and Wellbeing.
