I am pleased to share Shifting minds 2023–2028, Queensland’s renewed mental health, alcohol and other drugs, and suicide prevention strategic plan. Shifting minds 2023–2028 sets the priorities for the next five years to improve the mental health and wellbeing of all Queenslanders.
This plan recognises the strong shift for collective action across all sectors and communities, as well as the integral role of lived experience leadership and perspectives in system reform.
Central to this plan is an ongoing drive towards a community-based mental health system that meets people where they are—early in life, early in vulnerability, and early in illness.
My sincerest thanks to each person who participated in a consultation session with us or provided other input into the development of the plan. I am feeling energised and excited to implement Shifting minds 2023–2028 together.
I am delighted to announce the appointment of Michelle Sanders to the position of Director of Lived and Living Experience at the Commission. This newly created identified role will inform change, drive reform and lead collaboration with our community of lived experience stakeholders. Michelle brings considerable experience working across public mental health and AOD services, and community non-government organisations, as well as active involvement in the lived experience community over the last 25 years. We welcome Michelle as an important addition to the team. Congratulations.
National Mental Health Consumer and Carer Forum
Jordan Frith, Queensland's consumer representative on the National Mental Health Consumer and Carer Forum, has recently been appointed to the Executive Team as Deputy Consumer Co-Chair. Jordan joins Cindy Heddle, Queensland's carer representative on the Executive Team (Ordinary member).
Leading Reform Summit 2023 - Save the date!
We’re working on an exciting program for 2023 and invitations will soon be released to leaders across the sector. Until then, mark your calendars for 22-23 November 2023 at the Sofitel Brisbane Central.
Queensland Mental Health Week (QMHW)
QMHW is coming 7-15 October 2023.
This year’s theme is ‘Awareness. Belonging. Connection’ and reflects the important factors that help people maintain positive mental health and wellbeing, reduce stigma, encourage help-seeking, make connections and celebrate the sector. Don’t forget to sign up for major events such as the Walk for Awareness, the Recovered Futures Art Exhibition, Out from the Mist photo exhibition and the Queensland Mental Health Week Achievement Awards. Visit the QMHW website to find out how you can get involved, attend an event or register your own event.
QMHC Lifetime Achievement Awards
Do you know an individual who has spent a lifetime dedicated to achieving reform in the mental health and wellbeing, mental ill-health, alcohol and other drugs, suicide prevention and lived experience sectors? We’d like to recognise them and their achievements across their lengthy careers. Nominations are now open for the QMHC Lifetime Achievement Awards that recognise history of service, significant contribution to reform, and leadership impact. Nominate someone special now
Multi-sensory experience at new Cairns Mental Health Unit
Queensland's first multi-sensory experience for patients is being created as part of the new Mental Health Unit at Cairns Hospital. The development includes a sensory modulation room for mental health patients as a potential wellness tool. It aims to provide a more immersive and personalised experience for patients.
In recent changes, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) now permits medicines containing the psychedelic substances psilocybin and MDMA to be prescribed by specifically authorised psychiatrists for the treatment of certain mental health conditions, including post-traumatic stress disorder. The changes were introduced on 1 July 2023.
A new clinical trial has found that a low-cost version of ketamine is effective for treating severe depression when compared to a placebo. The research found that more than one in five people achieved total remission from their symptoms after a month of twice-weekly injections, while a third had their symptoms improve by at least 50 per cent.
The Australian Human Rights Commission, in partnership with UNSW, brought together nearly 100 lived experience experts, advocates, academics and policy makers to plan a way to end mistreatment at the National Forum on Cruel, Degrading and Inhumane Treatment of People with Disability and Mental Health Disorders in Australia’s Places of Detention.
All Queensland schools will benefit from a $35.9 million Commonwealth Student Wellbeing Boost for mental health and wellbeing projects. The boost will provide one-off funding to schools to support their students' mental health and wellbeing.
$24m ongoing funding for Lifeline and Kids Helpline
The Queensland Government has provided $24 million to Kids Helpline and Lifeline to continue their critical services to some 230,000 children and adults each year. The funding will support ongoing operations and service expansion.
According to a new study routine brain scanning in people experiencing psychosis could help to identify underlying physical conditions that are causing their symptoms. Researchers at the University of Oxford reviewed the results of over 1,600 patients with a first episode of psychosis who had undergone an MRI brain scan and found that around six per cent of patients had a scan abnormality which led to a different diagnosis or a change to their clinical care.
The Queensland Government has announced funding of $5 million to tackle vaping in all Queensland secondary schools through a new innovative alcohol and drug education program, Blurred Minds Academy. Developed at Griffith University and available to schools from Term 4 this year, the program features modules on vaping and health, vaping deception, and vaping and the environment. Learning tools include videos, quizzes, and games, as well as a guide and slide pack for teachers.
The Queensland Government has announced $92 million in funding for the Rockhampton Mental Health Unit Refurbishment and Expansion project. The project will deliver a new 32-bed mental health facility,
and will provide treatment and care to more consumers in Rockhampton and surrounding areas experiencing an acute episode of mental illness.
Over the last decade, Beyond Blue has built extensive knowledge, insights and learnings from the implementation of The Way Back Support Service, and from the evaluation of the service. They have published a new Universal Aftercare Policy Series on their website to inform policy makers and service commissioners.
The Commission recently provided a submission to the consultation for the Queensland Government’s new four-year Our Place: First Nations Housing and Homelessness Action Plan. The Plan will set the direction to improve housing outcomes for First Nations peoples living in Queensland.
A new community services hub will be established in the former West End Police Station to support the local community. Micah Projects will deliver the initiative which will offer a range of services and supports, including homelessness services. The new hub is expected to open by the end of the year.
The National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing recently released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics has found that more than two in five (43.7 per cent) Australians aged 16-85 years have experienced a mental disorder in their lifetime. The Study also gives insights into the actions people took to manage their mental health, with 17.5 per cent (3.4 million) of Australians having at least one consultation with a health professional for their mental health in 2020-21.
Unemployment and underemployment significant drivers of suicide
Analysis led by University of Sydney researchers has revealed causal effects of unemployment and underemployment on suicide rates in Australia, with an estimated 10 percent of reported suicides over a 13-year period resulting from labour underutilisation. Between 2004 – 2016, approximately 1 in 10 of the 32,331 suicides in total were estimated to result from labour underutilisation (3071 suicides or 9.5 percent).
New research from the Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research (QCMHR) has analysed Australia’s numerous collections of mental health services data and identified how they can be improved to inform service planning and system reform.
The Federal parliamentary inquiry into online gambling and its impacts on those experiencing gambling harm has been released. The report provides 31 recommendations that apply a public health lens to online gambling to reduce harm to Australians
The Reconciliation Action Plan 2023-25 (RAP) has been launched by the Queensland Government. The RAP outlines key commitments to enhance cultural capability within the public sector, as well as the work each agency will do to support the establishment of a First Nations Treaty Institute, a Truth-telling and Healing Inquiry, an Interim Truth and Treaty Body and a Path to Treaty Office. Read the plan here.
August 31 is International Overdose Awareness Day. This year's theme is 'Recognising those people who go unseen', honouring those people whose lives have been altered by overdose. You can learn more here.
Consultations to develop a 10-year National Housing and Homelessness Planwith short, medium and long-term reforms are underway. Submissions are due by 22 September.
September is FASD Awareness month, with buildings and landmarks to be lit up in red across Australia. Find out how you can support International FASD Awareness Month here.
Consultation has opened inviting community input on the development of the Queensland Domestic and Family Violence Perpetrator Strategy. Submissions are due by 22 September.
Sponsorships
We offer sponsorships up to $10,000 for sector events. Next round closes 31 August.
