I’m pleased to announce the appointment of seven people to the board of directors of the new Queensland mental health consumer representative peak body.
The recruitment of the board of directors is a key step in the process towards establishing a new consumer organisation for Queensland, and a cause for celebration.
The appointments follow a rigorous and competitive recruitment process, with nearly 200 people from across Queensland applying for the seven board positions.
The process to recruit an interim CEO is in its final stages and the successful candidate will be announced soon. The new body is expected to be operational later this year.
Have you interacted with the Queensland Mental Health Commission in the past two years? Our annual 'Pulse survey' is now open. You're invited to give us your feedback on our performance and effectiveness.
Tell us what we're doing well, and the areas for improvement, and help guide our activities and priorities for the coming year.
The anonymous survey takes about 5-10 minutes. All responses go to the survey’s independent administrator, Paxton Partners, for analysis.
The survey has been extended to COB Monday 21 June 2021.
The recent Federal Budget 2021-22 has brought an additional $2.3 billion into national mental health and suicide prevention over the next four years, and is the starting point for the National Agreement on Mental Health and Suicide Prevention due in November.
In a media release Commissioner Ivan Frkovic said: “The allocation of $300 million for suicide prevention, particularly universal access to aftercare, is a critical shift towards reducing the nation’s suicide rate.”
He also welcomed $1.4 billion which includes a national network of 57 community mental health treatment centres for adults, youth and children, to address chronic unmet need and gaps in service.
“Building community services is vital. We need to ensure these treatment centres comprehensively address the service gap for people with complex needs, not just refer them on to state-operated services that are already overloaded.
“It is unclear what additional funding will be available for Queensland until the national agreement is finalised.”
The Victorian Government produced an ambitious Budget to deliver the ‘biggest social reform in a generation’ and rebuild the State’s mental health system from the ground up, with $3.8 billion to transform mental health services.
At the centre of the reformed system is a new network of local services to provide treatment, care and support closer to people’s homes and communities. Funding is also directed towards expanding workforce positions, skills and programs to deliver a sustainable and diverse workforce into the future.
The expertise of lived experience will play a key role in planning, delivering and leading services and programs in the new system.
Are you involved in a non-profit community-led organisation that has run a jobs program?
The Community Social Enterprise Development Grants have just opened, providing funding of between $5000 and $20,000 for social enterprises that support disadvantaged jobseekers and have operated for a minimum of two years.
You can use the grants to fund activities that build the capacity and sustainability of your social enterprise.
The grant program is part of a Queensland Government allocation of $8 million over the next two years for the Social Enterprise Jobs Fund, as part of the Future Skills Fund. The Jobs Fund continues to build on commitments under the Queensland Social Enterprise Strategyto support the development of a sustainable and thriving social enterprise sector.
Information, including the program guidelines, eligibility criteria and FAQs, is available at the link below. Applications close Thursday 1 July 2021.
Applications for grants of up to $3000 are now open to local government, not-for-profits, companies, community groups and schools hosting events and activities during Queensland Mental Health Week from 9-17 October 2021.
The Commission funds the QMHW Community Events Grant Program, which is administered by CheckUp.
Local community activities provide a focal point for awareness, education and understanding, and help foster community connection and inclusion for those living with mental illness, their families, carers and support people.
Applicants are encouraged to partner with mental health and other local organisations, as well as local councils, to maximise the reach and impact of events and activities. Grant applications close Wednesday 30 June 2021.
A Queensland Parliamentary committee has started an inquiry into social isolation and loneliness, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Commission’s 2019 Leading reform summit included a social isolation presentation by Professor Alex Haslam from The University of Queensland School of Psychology. Watch Professor Haslam's presentationabove, and read about his work in our Loneliness kills blog post.
The Parliamentary Inquiry will consider drivers, effects and responses to social isolation and loneliness in Queensland communities.
Minister for Communities Leeanne Enoch said: “We know that social isolation and loneliness have a significant impact on the physical and mental health and wellbeing of many people.”
“Queenslanders such as seniors, people with disability and their carers, people with mental illness, and young people are most vulnerable to social isolation and loneliness."
The closing date for written submissions is Wednesday 18 August 2021.
The Queensland Government’s new gambling help awareness campaign aims to raise awareness of the signs of problem gambling and to encourage people to seek help.
‘When gambling took over…’ features the stories of Allen, David and Louise, who openly and bravely tell their stories of when and why gambling became a problem for them, how they made the decision to seek help, and how this decision changed their lives in more ways than they could imagine. Allen, David and Louise tell their stories on the Gambling Help Queensland website.
Help is available. Visit www.gamblinghelpqld.org.au or call 1800 858 858 for free and confidential support 24/7.
Reconciliation is important because it works towards healing. Our Reconciliation takes action blog post emphasises the rich and resilient culture that is grounded in strong connection to community, family and Country, that continues to sustain and strengthen Aboriginal and Torres Islander Peoples. We must also recognise the significant disparities and challenges experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, affecting mental health and wellbeing.
For Schizophrenia Awareness Week, we partnered with Sane Australia to shoot a series of videos and discover more about people living with schizophrenia. Our thanks to Sane Australia Peer Ambassador Cam Solnordal, Sane Australia CEO Rachel Green, and Sane Australia Counselling Lead Carmel Pardy for contributing to the discussion. Check out the range of information and support provided by Sane Australia at www.sane.org, and don’t forget you can access the Sane Forums through our website.