Kayla wins "Creative Hero - Professional" Mental Healthy Award

Mental health organisation www.mentalhealthy.co.uk has recognised the fantastic achievements of some of the country’s finest heroes, who selflessly and tirelessly look to improve the lives of others. In 2011 they joined forces with some of the biggest names in mental health to recognise these unsung heroes.

Kayla has been announced as the joint winner of the Creative Hero - Professional Award, which recognises professional artists and performers that have contributed to the field of mental health, by raising awareness, educating, speaking out about, campaigning, or inspiring mental wellness through their work. Since being diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder in 2009, Kayla has worked hard to promote awareness and challenge stigma through her recorded and live music, articles in the national press, her YouTube, blog and tours around the UK.

Creator of Mental Healthy Charlotte Fantelli said “The humbling work individuals and organisations are doing across the globe takes my breath away. Every single Mental Healthy Hero Award winner has done something extraordinary in an area that is not glitzy or glamorous and that takes great strength and human kindness, not only the winners but every candidate is a hero that deserves recognition."  

Emergence Press Release

Emergence is today celebrating! Kayla Kavanagh – a Knowledge & Understanding Framework (KUF) trainer, singer/songwriter and mental health activist – has won the Creative Hero Professional Award in the first ever Mental Health Hero awards.

Award categories included ‘Community Hero’, ‘Professional Hero’, ‘Business Hero’ and ‘Creative Hero’ and amongst the winners are some incredible local, national and global organisations and individuals.

Kayla Kavanagh said: “I am thrilled about winning and must thank Emergence for nominating me – it was an honour even just to be nominated and when I found out I had been shortlisted for the award I couldn’t believe it!

“Since receiving my diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder in 2009 Emergence has been absolutely crucial in my development both as an artist and now as a Senior KUF trainer. I can’t believe that I’ve actually won the award and am truly humbled to have been recognised by the judging team of such high profile mental health organisations.

“Music has been the key to my wellbeing living with personality disorder, allowing me to focus the chaotic emotions into lyrics, music and song. Having had the opportunity to record an album and perform at events across the UK has allowed the positive message to ‘go viral’, and I am delighted to be launching the second album on the May 1, of which 10% of the crowd sourced funds go to Emergence.”

Kayla has become an ambassador for awareness of illnesses such as BPD, and has been interviewed on BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour about how music has provided a positive outlet for the overwhelming emotions associated with living with a mental health condition.

Kath Lovell, Emergence managing director, said on hearing the news: “Kayla works tirelessly for Emergence to help us fight the stigma that is associated with personality disorder. Her music always features at all our events and she brings much joy with it. We are thrilled for her!"