The Canadian Mental Health Association Central Region Heroes of Mental Health Awards ceremony was held recently in Portage la Prairie.

A number of individuals and organizations were recognized for their contributions to mental health.

Executive Director Jordan Friesen says the evening was better than he anticipated.

"We partnered with the (Portage Plains) United Way, for this year's Heroes of Mental Health Awards. And it proved to be a fantastic and productive partnership. We were able to get about 100 people out to the event. We handed out five awards, and we were able to raise some money for the United Way's fall campaign."

Friesen's excited about the strong turnout at the event.

"I think it means that things are changing in society, around our discussion about mental health. And in particular, I think it's changing from a discussion of mental illness, to a discussion about mental health, which is a more positive way of framing it. We want to talk about how everyone has health, to some degree, and we want to find way to cultivate and promote good mental health."

Here are pictures of the award winners.