With nine categories, the awards highlight work from all platforms across local, national, and online media.

Headline Programme Leader Áine O’Meara said that previous winners are among the best storytellers, investigators and advocates in the country "who champion under-reported issues and amplify the voice of lived experience."

The reporters from The Echo received nominations in the Mental Health Journalism local print and online category. 

Donal O’Keeffe received a nomination for his piece ‘Simon reaching out to Cork’s homeless’ while Chris Dunne was nominated for her piece ‘Reaching out to other bereaved dads in Cork’.

Congratulating Donal O'Keeffe and Chris Dunne on being shortlisted for the awards, Eoghan Dinan, Deputy Editor of The Echo said the recognition of their work and their nominations were "thoroughly deserved".

"We try all the time to encourage responsible coverage of mental health issues, and the team at The Echo is encouraged by having this recognised."

Meanwhile, Noel Baker of the Irish Examiner was shortlisted in the national print/online category for his piece ‘It’s very hard to see a loved one, with cuffs on, in prison because there is nowhere else for him to go’.

Last year, Ann Murphy received the Headline Mental Health Journalism award in the Local Print/Online category for her story ‘My only chance to survive’ which was published in The Echo. 

The winners of the 2023 Headline Mental Health Awards will be announced on December 6.