Mental Health Champions

Annually, the Mental Health Champions’ Award recognizes and celebrates three Missourians: an individual living with mental illness, an individual living with developmental disabilities and an individual in recovery for substance use disorders. The award recipients make positive contributions to their communities, exemplify commitment and vision, and their actions have increased the potential for independence in others with similar mental health conditions. Congratulations to the award recipients – you are an inspiration to many!

Each year an award recipient is selected from each of the three nomination categories: mental illness, developmental disabilities, and substance use disorders. They are celebrated at the annual Mental Health Champions’ Awards Banquet held in their honor. The event is at the Capitol Plaza Hotel in Jefferson City.

If you have any questions regarding the Mental Health Champions Award, please contact the Missouri Mental Health Foundation at (573) 635-9201 or mmhf@missourimhf.org.

Persons may be nominated in one of three categories:

An individual with a diagnosed mental illness
An individual with a developmental disability
An individual in recovery from a substance or gambling addiction

Nomination Application

Nominees must agree to allow their stories to be told.
Those who nominate eventual winners may be asked to appear in a video tribute for that individual, along with others who have witnessed or who may benefit from the winner’s noted accomplishments.
Please include a picture in JPG format – of each nominee. Their picture will be put in the keepsake program booklet that will be distributed the night of the event. This picture does not need to be a professional headshot.
Nominations will be accepted until November 13, 2026.

Mental Health Champion Nominations

NOMINEE INFORMATION

Nominee's Name:

First

Last

Organization Nominee Affiliated With (if any):

Telephone Number Where Nominee May Be Reached

Email Address of Nominee

Nominee's Complete Address

Address Line 1

Address Line 2

City

State

Zip Code

Category Nominating In:

Individual with a Diagnosed Mental Illness
Individual with an Intellectual/Developmental Disability
Individual in Recovery from a Substance or Gambling Disorder

Choose one (1) category to nominate the candidate in.

INFORMATION OF PERSON SUBMITTING THE NOMINATION

Name Of Person Submitting Nomination:

First

Last

Organization Person Submitting Nomination is Affiliated With (If Any):

Telephone Number Where Person Submitting Nomination Can Be Reached:

Email Address of Person Submitting Nomination

Address of Person Submitting Nomination:

Address Line 1

Address Line 2

City

State

Zip Code

NOMINEE VERIFICATION

Please provide two references to verify the scope and extent of the nominee's activities. References should be familiar with the nominee's achievements, but not a family member of the nominee. The nominator does NOT count as a reference.

Reference #1 Name:

First

Last

Organization Affiliated With (If Any):

Reference #1's Telephone Number:

cooperatively Address photo

Reference #1's Email

Reference #1's Complete Address

Address Line 1

Address Line 2

City

State

Zip Code

Reference #2 Name:

First

Last

Organization Affiliated With (If Any):

Reference #2's Telephone Number:

Reference #2's Email

Reference #2's Complete Address

Address Line 1

Address Line 2

City

State

Zip Code

QUESTIONS ABOUT NOMINEE

1. Describe how the nominee exemplifies courage, commitment, and success in their community or their personal development. Include examples of circumstances and challenges the nominee has faced in their life, and how they have been able to address and/or overcome many of their challenges.

2. In what way does the nominee serve as an inspiration to others? Please provide specific examples of positive contributions to their community, state, and/or across the nation and how this nominee has helped to improve the lives of others or enhance access and inclusion for people with disabilities and/or mental health conditions.

3. Describe the nominee’s ability to participate in planning, organizing, and/or developing ideas or projects, including working cooperatively with others. Please provide specific examples of initiatives and actions that have helped increase the independence of individuals with similar intellectual and developmental disabilities or mental health conditions.

4. Describe how the nominee provides information about skills related to health, wellness, and/or recovery to individuals and their community. Describe how they demonstrate collaboration, teamwork, leadership, and/or advocacy.

5. What, do you believe, is the nominee’s goal to enhance their own life and the lives of others with intellectual and developmental disabilities or a mental health condition? Describe the person’s efforts; how they enhanced access and inclusion through advocacy, their involvement, and/or sharing their story. Note how their actions improved the lives of others.

6. Other comments/information regarding the nominee.

Please upload a photo of the nominee in a jpg format.

Drag & Drop Files, Choose Files to Upload

A headshot is required to complete your nomination. If you don’t have one available, you may save your form and return to it later. Please note: the form will expire after 30 days. Image must be in .jpg or .jpeg format. Max. file size: 8 MB.

Required Consent for Image and Story Use

By checking this box, I certify that I have obtained the necessary permission from the individual being nominated—or from their parent or legal guardian if the nominee is a minor—to submit their photograph and personal information to the Missouri Mental Health Foundation (MMHF). I hereby grant MMHF and its representatives the irrevocable, perpetual, worldwide, royalty-free right to use, reproduce, display, publish, edit, modify, distribute, and otherwise utilize the nominee’s name, image, and likeness in any format and in any medium (including but not limited to websites, social media, print materials, and video) for promotional, educational, or other lawful purposes, without further notice, approval, or compensation. I further release MMHF and its affiliates, employees, agents, and assigns from any and all liability, claims, or demands arising out of or in connection with the use of the nominee’s image, likeness, or story as described above. This authorization shall remain in effect unless and until a written revocation is submitted to MMHF by the nominee or, if applicable, their parent or legal guardian.

Please confirm that you have the nominee’s permission to share their photo and story. This ensures MMHF can use these materials in public communications, award promotions, and mental health awareness efforts.

Save and Resume Later