The SMILE Award represents - Sustained Mental Health Initiatives and Lifetime of Excellence.
In an effort to recognize the dedicated leaders and organizations across the country who are working to end the youth mental health crisis, the SMILE Awards are returning for 2024.
This year’s categories include:
- Business / Organization
- Individual
- NEW! Student / Young Professional
Business / Organization Nominations
This award honors exceptional businesses or organizations that have demonstrated remarkable dedication to advancing youth mental health care and advocating for mental health care for all. Examples of qualifying initiatives include impactful benefits packages, hosting and initiating volunteer and fundraising efforts and meaningful community outreach programs that promote and build and promote solutions for children's mental health.
Individual Nomination
The Individual award recognizes the accomplishments of an individual aged 25 or older who has exhibited steadfast dedication and passion in supporting the mental well-being of all people. This award acknowledges their outstanding efforts, advocacy work and significant contributions towards enhancing youth mental health awareness and access to care for all.
Student / Young Professional
This award honors a student or young professional aged 18 to 24 who champions youth mental health and demonstrates outstanding potential, achievement, or engagement in this area. Nominees should be actively pursuing their education or early career while positively impacting youth mental health through their initiatives, projects, or extracurricular involvement.
Nominees will have made significant efforts to support mental health initiatives both in the workplace and/or in the communities they serve. Click to read more about the nomination criteria and submit those deserving of this prestigious recognition! The deadline for submissions is Tuesday, October 1 st at 11:59pm PT.
To learn about last year’s SMILE Award recipients, Youth Guidance (Corporate Award) and Rhainazelle Manzano (Individual Award).
Q&A
Why Should I Enter?
All initiatives - large or small – that are actively working to improve youth mental health care in the United States deserve to be recognized. The SMILE Awards are a cost-effective way to thank and honor your company, organization, individual leaders and/or youth advocates for taking youth mental health seriously and making a difference. All are welcomed and encouraged to submit, and everyone has a chance to win.
When you win a SMILE Award, you will be featured on Choose Mental Health’s website with additional marketing opportunities available, including a winners’ press release, branding collateral (i.e., badges for company and/or individual websites, email signatures, etc.), social media features and much more.
Who is eligible to apply/nominate?
Successful nominees will have demonstrated how they championed youth mental health through advocacy, policies, practices, and activities they support. We strongly encourage submitting examples including, but not limited to, links to activities, social media pages and attachments (i.e., PDF flyers, brochures, etc.). Self-nominations are accepted.
Is there a cost associated with nominating?
Submissions for the Choose Mental Health SMILE Awards are free and open to all businesses, organizations, individuals and youth advocates who are actively working to address the youth mental health crisis. You may nominate as many businesses, organizations, and/or individuals as you like, if they meet the criteria above.
What does SMILE stand for?
Sustained Mental Health Initiatives and Lifetime of Excellence.
More Questions?
I have some more questions before I apply. Who can I contact? For more information on Choose Mental Health or questions on the Choose Mental Health SMILE Awards, please contact CMH@reputationpartners.com.