eNews  |  April 2023

Laws pass to support expanded Police Drug Diversion

I am delighted that laws to support expanded Police Drug Diversion have passed the Queensland Parliament.

This initiative recognises that a health response, not a criminal justice one, is the best way to intervene early before drug use becomes problematic. The legislative change only applies to small quantities for personal use and does not legalise any substance.

Police have said that the majority of individuals diverted never have contact with police again, leaving police to focus on serious offences such as drug manufacturing, supply and trafficking.

A new survey commissioned by the Alcohol and Drug Foundation shows Queenslanders overwhelmingly support the new legislation to expand Police Drug Diversion. The survey heard from thousands of Queensland residents across 10 electorates from Cairns to the Gold Coast. Read about the survey here.

The policy reform is a major initiative started in the Queensland Government’s 2018 Shifting minds strategic plan and articulated in the Achieving balance alcohol and other drugs plan launched in 2022. The Better Care Together Health services plan supports the implementation of this policy direction, particularly with increased funding to alcohol and other drug treatment and support services.

This is a significant outcome for all Queenslanders and one that will see more people diverted early to help deal with their addiction and may further contribute towards reducing reoffending rates.

Secure a scholarship for peer qualifications

Up to 178 scholarships to support people to study the Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work are open for applications now. These scholarships are available over two years for people in Queensland with lived or living experience of mental distress or ill-health, or carers of someone with a mental illness or suicidality.

This funding is made available through the Peer Work Scholarships Program—an initiative of the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care, commissioned by the Queensland Mental Health Commission and administered in Queensland by the Queensland Alliance for Mental Health in partnership with the Queensland Lived Experience Workforce Network (QLEWN)

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The unique value of peer work in mental health services and care is well-established, so it is very pleasing to see the Australian Government’s commitment to help increase the number of peer workers in the mental health and suicide prevention sectors.

Visit our website for more information and to apply.

Catherine's House

I was pleased to recently attend the official opening of Catherine's House for Mothers, Babies and Families— Queensland's first integrated perinatal mental health centre.

Co-designed by parents with a lived experience and a multidisciplinary team of health professionals, the centre will provide specialised care to parents experiencing depression, anxiety and other mental health challenges in the first year of bub's arrival.

Catherine's House was made possible thanks to an incredible $17 million in community donations, with the Queensland Government contributing a further $7 million towards capital works, and $11 million annually to support eight public beds. Learn more here.

Mental Health Lived Experience Peak Queensland

I recently visited the team at the Mental Health Lived Experience Peak Queensland where we discussed mental health advocacy and systems change. The MHLEPQ is the mental health consumer representative peak organisation for Queensland and provides policy advice and system advocacy for mental health consumers of all ages across Queensland. You can find out more about MHLEPQ, and how to join here.

Erratum

We apologise to readers and Council members Brett Emmerson, Gabrielle Vilic and Karyn Walsh for an error published in the March 2023 edition of eNews. The process for approving a further term of appointment for Brett, Gabrielle and Karyn as Queensland Mental Health and Drug Advisory Council Members has not yet been finalised. We will provide an update once this process has concluded.

Construction starts: Gold Coast mental health unit

Work has started on a new major 40-bed Secure Mental Health Rehabilitation Unit at the Gold Coast University Hospital. The unit will provide a contemporary and safe environment for people with severe and complex mental health disorders. The service will support people in their recovery until they can transition to living in the community.

Survey: Co-responder service users

The Queensland Ambulance Service is leading a study into the Queensland Mental Health Co-Responder Service (MH CORE). If you, or a person in your care, received care from a MH CORE service, you are invited to complete a brief survey to explore your thoughts and experiences relating to the MH CORE service.

Human rights of young people in the legal system

The AMA has a new position statement calling on governments to ensure the medical and health rights of young people and adults in custody, and for the age of criminal responsibility in all jurisdictions to be raised to a minimum of 14 years of age. The AMA said Australia continues to fail to uphold the basic human rights of people in the legal system and all people in custodial settings.

Social enterprise research confirms employment benefits

A research partnership between CSI Swinburne and Vanguard Laundry, has demonstrated the positive impact of employment-focused social enterprise. The six-year study provided insights into the long-term impact of social enterprise employment and career transition support on health, wellbeing, and social and economic inclusion.

Bundaberg's Lighthouse Crisis Support Space

Construction is about to begin on a new mental health crisis support space at Bundaberg Hospital. The Lighthouse Crisis Support Space will allow people to access mental health support directly rather than in the emergency department.

Career Transition Series

The National Mental Health Commission in partnership with Transitioning Well has released a new Career Transition Series that provides workplaces with research-led and practical approaches to supporting people during times of major change.  

Online liquor sales and delivery consultation

The Department of Justice and Attorney-General is seeking stakeholder comment on a new draft regulatory framework for online liquor sales and delivery in Queensland. The draft framework looks to address the high risks associated with online sales. Consultation is open until 10 May 2023.

Queensland Mental Health Week grants open

The annual Queensland Mental Health Week grant program has been launched to support QMHW events that promote community mental health and wellbeing, create inclusion and connection, reduce stigma and support people with a lived experience of mental ill-health. Applications close on 26 May. 

Action plan for LGBTIQA+ health and wellbeing

The Federal Government has announced a 10-year national action plan for LGBTIQA+ community health and wellbeing. Additionally, the government announced a $26 million investment in research grants to discover new and improved ways to provide health care to LGBTIQA+ people. 

Farmer Wellbeing Report

The National Farmer Wellbeing Report has been released by Norco and the National Farmers’ Federation and has shown that one in five of the 1,300 farmers surveyed felt “defeated” following natural disasters. One in 12 Queensland farmers report attempting suicide or self-harm over the past five years, and almost a third said their mental health has declined over the past three years. 

Preventing farmer suicide

The final report into the national Tailoring Suicide Prevention Strategies to Men in Farming Study has been released. The study aimed to take stock of how suicide prevention/wellbeing groups in rural communities were responding to farmer distress and to seek advice from farmers about what they were feeling and what types of community resources could help.  

New mental health workplace code for Queensland

The Queensland Government has announced a new mental health workplace code, which will directly address psychological health risks at work. The new code, Managing the risk of psychosocial hazards at work Code of Practice, came into effect on 1 April 2023, and is designed to provide Queensland workplaces with practical information and guidance to create mentally healthy workplaces.

Homelessness Census 2021

The ABS has released the latest homelessness estimates from its 2021 Census with 122,487 people identified as experiencing homelessness across Australia, increasing from 116,367 in 2016. There are calls for a national coordinated plan to address the high rates of homelessness across the country. 

Parliament Inquiry into the Cost of Living

The Australian Parliament has established a Senate Select Committee on the Cost of Living. The Inquiry will look at the cost-of-living pressures facing Australians, and measures to ease them. Submissions to the inquiry have been extended until 12 May 2023.

Dr Karl is back with more 'Vape Truths'! Phase two of the vape campaign is aimed at increasing knowledge and awareness of the harms and health consequences of vaping and provides tools to help people seeking to quit. Find out more.

Everymind is launching a new set of language guidelines aimed at improving the language used when communicating about mental health and wellbeing, mental ill-health, self-harm, suicide, eating disorders and alcohol and other drugs. Find out more. 

This May Queensland marks Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month to raise community awareness of domestic and family violence, and the role we can all play in ending domestic and family violence. Find out more.

The Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education has launched Every moment matters—Australia’s first nationwide public awareness campaign about the risk of alcohol use before and during pregnancy. Get the details.

The national Mentally Healthy Workplaces initiative has a free digital platform that helps organisations step through the information and practices needed to create a mentally healthy workplace. Read more.

Sponsorships

We offer sponsorships up to $10,000 for sector events. Next round closes 31 May. 

Sector grants

The Queensland Council of Social Service (QCOSS) publishes a comprehensive list of sector grants.

Events

Check out the latest major sector events, hosted by the Commission and partner organisations.

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