QMHC Lived experience Charter work underway; Leading Reform Summit date claimer; AOD Community Prevention tender open, QMHC Lifetime Achievement Awards nominations call-out & much more.
In partnership with the Lived Experience Leadership and Advocacy Network (LELAN), the Commission is co-designing a Charter for how we partner with people with lived-living experience of mental illness, alcohol and other drug use, and suicidality.
The Charter will be co-designed with people with lived-living experience and their family, carers and kin, sector leaders and Commission staff. To kick-off this work a webinar was held on 1 August.
We've also opened a survey about the co-design process to develop the Charter and we're inviting expressions of interest from people with lived-living experience of mental illness, harms from alcohol and other drugs, trauma and suicidality to participate in the planned co-design sessions. Follow the progressof this important work on our website.
Queensland Mental Health Week (QMHW)
QMHW is coming 5-13 October 2024. This year’s theme, ‘Connect for mental health’, emphasises the proactive measures we can adopt to nurture and support positive mental health and wellbeing for ourselves and our communities. 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. We're also about to announce the QMHW Community Event Grants for 2024.
Leading Reform Summit 2024 – Save the date
We’re working on an exciting program for 2024 themed around ‘building the new’. Invitations will soon be released to leaders across the sector. Until then, mark your calendars for 27-28 November 2024 at the Sofitel Brisbane Central.
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/or lived experience sectors? We’d like to recognise them and their achievement across their lengthy careers. Nominations are now open for the 2024 QMHC Lifetime Achievement Awards that recognise history of service, and leadership impact and contribution to reform. Nominate an outstanding achiever now.
Family/Carer workforce survey
The ALIVE National Centre for Mental Health Research Translation are inviting family and carer lived experience workers and representatives to participate in the Family/Carer Lived Experience Workforce survey. The research aims to understand the experiences, needs and challenges of the Qld family/carer lived experience workforce.
The Australian Government has announced the establishment of two new independent peak bodies to represent people with lived experience of mental-ill health. The new peak bodies will work closely with the Government to ensure people with lived experience are included in decision making at the national level.
Townsville Youth Foyer is providing homes to vulnerable young people. A 40-unit complex houses young people at-risk of, or experiencing homelessness, and includes 24/7 onsite supports from Mission Australia. The Queensland Government plans to build eight more youth foyers including in Cairns, Moreton Bay & Hervey Bay.
The Queensland Government has released Pride in our Communities 2024-2032, Queensland’s first strategy for supporting LGBTQIA+ communities. The strategy is a commitment to every LGBTQIA+ Queenslander for a Queensland where they can live authentically, be included and live without fear of discrimination.
The National Mental Health Commission’s National Report Card 2023 on the performance of Australia’s mental health system has been released. The report shows no improvement in mental health and wellbeing over the past decade, with some Australians experiencing a decline in whole-of-life outcomes.
Eating Disorders Qld’s First Steps to Eating Disorder Support trains non-clinical workers to provide eating disorder support. Workers in non-clinical and first-contact roles are often the first contact for people experiencing eating disorders and play a key role in identifying and supporting them to access treatment.
The Commission is proud to be gold sponsor of the 2024 Australian Winter School AOD conference in Brisbane from 21-23 August. The theme is Different Ways of Doing with a focus on innovative practice and new ideas. The conference supports workers, clinicians and policy makers in the sector to develop skills & knowledge to respond and treat AOD-relatedissues.
The Commission’s AOD Community Prevention tender is now open. Organisations can apply for up to $200,000 to deliver community-based or community-led AOD primary prevention initiatives tailored to meet the specific needs of a community, address a wide range of AOD-related for that community, and be delivered in multiple settings by different methods. Closes 15 August.
This year the Commission will be hosting a World Suicide Prevention Day breakfast in Brisbane ahead of Roses in the Ocean’s annual rose hand-out in Queen Street Mall to acknowledge and build awareness of those impacted by suicide. If you are interested in attending, you can find out more and register below. Read more about World Suicide Prevention Day, and this year’s theme here.
Queensland Ambulance Service Mental Health Liaison Service
Recently, some of the Commission team visited Queensland Ambulance Service headquarters to hear about the important work of their Mental Health Liaison Service. The multi-disciplinary team was established in 2020 with five clinicians, has since grown to a team of 30, operating 24/7 to ensure people experiencing distress receive timely and appropriate responses.
Mark your calendars – Arafmi 2024 Mental Health Carers Forumwill take place on Wednesday 16 October. Find out about using your lived-living experience as a mental health carer to advocate for policies and services which better support you and the person you care for. Also, hear practical advice from one of Australia’s leading experts on health and disability law. Sign up to Arafmi’s monthly newsletter to learn more, or visit arafmi.com.au.
August is Multicultural Queensland Month!One way to get involved is by joining the upcoming webinar series. The free virtual webinars and panel discussion will provide valuable insights about different cultures and develop your knowledge and skills for a more inclusive multicultural Queensland. Find out more here.
Sponsorship
We offer sponsorships up to $10,000 for sector events. Next round closes 30 August 2024.
