Commissioner update; Stigma reduction project update; Shifting Minds: Expression of interest now open; New Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) pilot launch; Sisters Inside evaluation; and more.
Last month the Hon. Sam O'Connor MP announced the establishment of the Homelessness Ministerial Advisory Council (HMAC), which I'm pleased to have been invited to join. This group will bring together leaders from across government, councils, housing, health, and community sectors to help better target crisis responses and to advance long-term solutions to homelessness.
I commend the Queensland Government on its commitment to improving housing outcomes for Queenslanders and I look forward to working with HMAC to drive systemic reform in a coordinated and collaborative way.
Activities over the past month
I was once again lucky enough to get out and engage with many of you over the past month. I started by attending the Thriving Queensland Kids Partnership Leadership Roundtable where we discussed a range of topics including their 2025-2030 strategy to support Queensland children to thrive. I am grateful to the Child Protection Practitioners Queensland, for the opportunity to speak about the Queensland Trauma Strategy and explore how we can collaborate to create a more trauma-informed Queensland, specifically in the child protection sector.
This month also took me to Warwick to be interviewed by Aaron Blade, a Mandandanji artist and cultural facilitator, who is producing the Three Quarters Documentary, exploring men’s mental health and community-led solutions to lower men’s suicide rates. A huge thanks to Steph Vajda for asking me to be part of this project. I look forward to sharing the interview soon. It was also a great opportunity to meet with some of the members of the Southern Downs Suicide Prevention Network again.
And finally, I had the chance to attend the National and Social Emotional Wellbeing Roundtable in Melbourne and hear some great insights, including from First Nations Queenslanders represented at the event.
Stigma reduction project update
The Commission is continuing to develop our stigma reduction work package. Building off the formative research that was completed in late 2024, work has begun on the development of the creative campaign strategy, along with further consultations with the Lived-Living Experience Working Group, Stigma Project Advisory Group, and the Commission's Advisory Council. In April and May, work will focus on developing initial creative concepts for the campaign. Scoping work is also underway to identify opportunities for capacity and capability building initiatives. I will keep you updated on the progress of this important project but you can also sign up to our stigma mailing list if interested in finding out more.
On a related note, I want to acknowledge the upcoming Bondi Junction Inquest. This is a sensitive time for many of us and I recognise the potential impact, particularly for people with lived-living experience, families and carers. I encourage you to take good care during this time, and reach out if you need support. Mindframe has done excellent work to improve media standards, but if you come across coverage that stigmatises mental health challenges, you may wish to report it to Sane's Stigma Watch program.
Farewell Amelia Callaghan
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Amelia for her outstanding contribution to the Commission. Many of you will have worked with Amelia over the last three years in her role as Executive Director, and I’m sure can agree that her leadership, dedication and commitment to excellence have left a lasting impact. On behalf of the Commission, we are grateful for the legacy she leaves behind and wish her every happiness and success in her next chapter with the Queensland Department of Education.
Leading Reform Summit update
Finally, I wanted to share an update on our plans for the next Leading Reform Summit. There are many conferences set to occur in Brisbane in 2025, including a number of which that the Commission is supporting and/or sponsoring .
To ensure we can deliver the best Summit possible, we've decided to delay the 2025 Summit to a new date in March 2026. This shift not only gives the conferences we're supporting a boost, but allows us to get in early in the new year with our reform agenda. Your feedback tells us last year's Summit was the best yet. We look forward to make 2026 better, and we will keep you updated as we start our planning.
Shifting minds: Expression of interest now open
In partnership with Deloitte, we are conducting an evaluation of the Shifting minds strategic plan, which will take place from 2025 to approximately 2028.
We are seeking people with lived -living experience to help shape and inform the evaluation of Shifting minds. Whether by participating in an advisory group or joining focus groups, your insights will be vital to understanding the impact of Shifting minds. Want to get involved? Express your interest here
The Commission is committed to building our cultural understanding and sensitivity to create a more inclusive and equitable environment for First Nations people. We are pleased to have renewed our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Capability Action Plan that will incorporate our understanding into our practices, policies and interactions, to advance health equity and strengthen the social and emotional wellbeing of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Queenslanders.
As part of our role on the First Nations Gambling Harm Steering Committee, we attended a First Nations gambling harm focus group to evaluate videos on gambling harm for First Nations communities. Key takeaways included the impacts of gambling harm on family members and the wider community and the need for more gambling harm research and evidence.
If you are a Queensland-based First Nations worker, we encourage you to also submit your feedback on these videos. $100 gift vouchers are provided for a Zoom interview. If you’d like to talk part, please email research@schottler.com.au with a suggested date/time.
Tenant engagement report published
The Commission funded The University of Queensland to lead a research project exploring the experience of tenants at Brisbane Common Ground, and how engagement with tenants could be strengthened in the broader social and supportive housing system.
The report found that offering ways to engage that suit peoples’ needs, will help drive improvements that benefit both tenants and housing providers. The project supports the Commission's focus on enhancing understanding of lived-living experience engagement in housing and homelessness services.
New Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) pilot launch
The Commission is pleased to be working with Griffith University to deliver a pilot project to enable community providers to identify, make decisions about screening, and support children and families living with FASD. The two-year pilot will be implemented in Mount Isa, Townsville and the Gold Coast.
This pilot allows community providers working across early learning, education, child safety, and youth justice settings to complete stages of the assessment, cutting down wait times and increasing access - particularly in rural and remote communities. Read more here.
Sisters Inside evaluation
Sisters Inside has secured pilot funding to launch the Young Mum’s Wellbeing program in Townsville and Southeast Queensland. This suicide prevention initiative supports young, primarily Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander single mothers with justice system involvement and limited access to emotional, psychological, spiritual, and cultural support.
The program offers parenting support, Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) services, and help navigating social and emotional challenges, while strengthening family and community connections. Implementation is underway, with an independent evaluation in progress. You can read more about the pilot here.
FREE media training on safe and stigma-free communication is now available for Government agencies and services on suicide, mental health, and alcohol and other drugs. The training provides expert guidance for safe reporting, portrayal and communication about suicide, mental health concerns and alcohol and other drugs.
NEW program for disordered eatinglaunched earlier this month. Nourish Nurture Notice - Eating Disorders Families Australia is a vital resource for families, helping parents and carers of school aged children and young people recognise and respond to early signs of disordered eating before they escalate.
Interested in what Government tenders are available?VendorPanel has been chosen as the preferred supplier for advertising government tenders. If you want to be notified about available tenders from the Commission, or any other government agency, register at VendorPanel now.
Did you know?Strathpine Safe Space is one of five Neami National programs recently accredited by the National Suicide Prevention Australia Standards for Quality Improvement. Accreditation acknowledges these programs as being safe, as integrating lived and living experience and for the strength of their collaborations and partnerships. Find out more at the Neami website.
The R U OK? Conversation Convoyhas been travelling regional Queensland communities to help Australians understand the important role they can play in looking out for their friends, family and colleagues. Keep an eye on their website for discussion and resources that can help support local communities.
Kickstarter Grant applications are now open! Organisations from across Queensland are encouraged to apply for statewide funding to support early intervention initiatives that reduce youth crime and enhance community safety. Applications close 12pm, Thursday 8 May 2025. Head to the Kickstarter Grants webpage for more information.
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