The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander awards category is just one of 11 within the annual Queensland Mental Health Week Achievement Awards.

The category's three 2023 finalists, Leichhardt One Mile Community Centre, selectability (Palm Island) – Mahie Club and 13YARN have been selected for delivering culturally specific mental health related services, programs, projects or initiatives.

With the rise of Mental illness, Queensland's Mental Health Awards believes it's important to connect and support those with the illness and recognise and celebrate the achievements of those who work to reduce stigma and empower those living with it.

Open Minds, an independent non-for-profit, has been hosting the Awards for the past 27 years to celebrate the often-unsung heroes working to improve mental health in Queensland.

One of the finalists of this year's awards is the Leichhardt One Mile Community Centre, nominated for their works to improve the education, support and connections for First Nations peoples.

The organisation achieves their goals through working with vulnerable people with challenges including domestic and family violence, mental illness, income access, and referrals to housing services.

Selectability (Palm Island), Mahie Club has been nominated for providing culturally safe services and programs to improve the mental wellbeing of locals and to reduce stigma.

Mahie Club was created in 2022 to allow people to get hands-on in the kitchen, whilst enjoying a cuppa and a yarn.

Another nominee is 13YARN Crisis Support Service, who are the first national 24/7 crisis support line specifically for mob who are feeling overwhelmed or having difficulty coping.

In collaboration with Lifeline Australia, 13YARN also builds capacity for First Nations peoples, and creates opportunities in the community for continued care and support.

Open Minds CEO, Kate Johnson, said she was delighted with the high calibre of finalists for 2023 and is proud to be able to award a record amount of prize money this year.

"The finalists are all doing such incredible work to improve the lives of people living with mental illness," Ms Johnson said.

"They absolutely deserve the recognition of being shortlisted as a finalist, which is a huge achievement in itself.

"We are delighted to offer prize money for each category winner this year to enable all 11 winners to walk away with a cash prize to put toward the work they are doing."

All 11 category winners will receive prize money of $500 with the overall winner being awarded the Earle Duus Memorial Award, receiving $4,000 in prize money.

Award winners will be announced during the awards breakfast ceremony on Friday 13 October at Victoria Park, Brisbane.