Meet our 2024 Janey Antoniou Award winners
19/11/2024
On Saturday 16 November, Rethink Mental Illness announced our 2024 award winners at our Members' Day in London. Our annual awards recognise people and groups who have made a real difference to people severely affected by mental illness.
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Janey Antoniou Award winner: Steve Whittle
Steve founded ‘Tough to Talk’, an organisation that seeks to reduce male suicide. He has campaigned in a multitude of ways, from hosting talks, to producing powerful resources and facilitating suicide first aid courses which are designed for environments where men are the primary demographic. Steve is committed to providing support to men that is tailored and break down the stigma surrounding men’s mental health.
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When I reflect on my journey and my work to support men, I sometimes see myself as an imposter with lived experience and a big mouth, speaking out on the big issues affecting many men who suffer in silence. Being recognised as a campaigner in this space is truly mind-blowing. I'm incredibly grateful for the work Rethink does and their recognition fuels my passion and eases my imposter syndrome. I'm fortunate to have inspired many remarkable individuals to join forces and create Tough To Talk, shaping our mission to reduce male suicide.
- Steve Whittle - Steve Whittle
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Janey Antoniou Award finalist: Katja Pavlovna
After her experience of struggling to access mental health care, Katja co-founded the project ‘Sorry my mental illness isn’t sexy enough for you’ – a website that raises awareness of mental illness and spotlights conditions that are the most stigmatised. Alongside this, Katja has spoken at several conferences and is currently publishing the project’s first book.
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Finding out I was runner-up for the Janey Antoniou Award was a complete surprise- not only because I never considered that I might get this far, but also because the work I do around mental illness never feels like it's 'work' at all. It's just something I do to try and make things a bit easier for those who live with mental illness and personality disorder. I'm so grateful for this award.
- Katja Pavlovna - Katja Pavlovna
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Janey Antoniou Award finalist: Alex Richardson
Alex is passionate about teaching and is working to show the next generation how to support people better. Alex set up the ‘Keep Talking Services’ during his second year of university. The service offers weekly phone calls to those suffering from poor mental health, loneliness and social isolation, and has supported over 250 people in Kent and Medway.
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To be a runner-up to an award named after someone like Janey is an incredibly emotional time for me. To be working within the realms of mental health and to have my name associated with such an inspirational person is a true achievement and a real highlight in my career. I do what I do to try to make an impact and I am trying to create change in our society. Just like Janey. To be honoured for this with her name is beautiful and I can not express how happy this makes me feel.
- Alex Richardson - Alex Richardson