eNews  |  December 2022

As we reach the end of the year, and reflect on 2022, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for the work that you do and the contributions that you have made to the well-being of Queenslanders, throughout what was another year full of many challenges.

The Christmas period enables us all to reflect, recharge and reconnect on so many levels as we move into 2023.

On behalf of all of us at the Commission, we wish you and your loved ones a safe and happy festive season and all the very best for the year ahead. Take the time to rest, reflect, and look after your own mental health and well-being.

Leading Reform Summit

Thank you to everyone that came to the 2022 Leading Reform Summit in November. The Summit brought together over 250 delegates and encompassed an inspiring program that I know will continue to resonate in the sector over the next 12 months.

The feedback from the Summit has again been overwhelmingly positive. We intend to continue the conversation around key areas for reform throughout the year. Keep an eye on our social channels for updates. Photos from the Summit can be viewed on our Facebook page. Presentations from the Summit will be released gradually in the new year. 

Release of Achieving balance

I am pleased to share Achieving balance: The Queensland Alcohol and Other Drugs Plan 2022–2027. This renewed whole-of-government plan presents a pragmatic, hopeful, evidence-based, and person-centred approach with greater emphasis on health and therapeutic responses.

Following extensive consultation across the state with the sector and with people with lived experience, the priorities under the plan are:

1. Prevention and early intervention
2. Enhance treatment and support systems
3. Expand diversion
4. Reduce stigma and discrimination
5. Reduce harm

We look forward to continuing to work with the sector to keep progressing the ways we prevent, reduce, and respond to problematic alcohol and other drug use in Queensland. Together we can improve outcomes for individuals, families and carers, and better support our frontline workers and services. Read the plan in full.

Shifting minds community forums

As the current Shifting minds strategic plan reaches completion in 2023, we are working to develop a renewed plan for the next five years.

Throughout November and December, the Commission carried out a series of sector consultation sessions for cross-sector and cross-government agencies and organisations to provide input through a robust and participatory development process. 

In January 2023 the Commission will be running a series of community sessions across the state, to provide an opportunity for the community to help us shape the next phase of system reform. Community forums will be held in the following locations:

• Cairns - Monday 30 January 2023
• Mackay - Tuesday 31 January 2023
• Rockhampton - Wednesday 1 February 2023
• Longreach - Thursday 2 February 2023
• Toowoomba - Friday 10 February 2023
• Ipswich - Friday 10 February 2023

SAVE THE DATE: We will also be hosting a statewide community webinar on Wednesday 8 February from 2.00pm-4.00pm. Booking details will follow in the new year. 

Qld Housing Summit Outcomes Report released

The Queensland Government has released the Outcomes Report from the Housing Summit held in October. The report focuses on expanding housing supply and increasing housing support for Queensland, with $56 million in new funding to support the actions outlined in the report.  

Equally Well - new resources

A new online resource will help users of mental health services improve their physical health. The new resource includes consumer stories and digital resources to show how people have navigated the complex relationship between their physical and mental health,at different stages of their health journey.

Govt buildings for housing

As one of the key outcomes of the Queensland Housing Summit an audit of government buildings has recently shortlisted seven sites that could be used for housing in Southeast Queensland. The locations of the shortlisted sites are Southport, Varsity Lakes, Fortitude Valley, Wynnum, Bundaberg, Mango Hill, and Albion.  

Decrease in construction worker suicides in Qld

New research from Melbourne University into construction suicides shows a significant decrease in construction worker suicides in Queensland. The report shows the reported construction suicide rate is now 14.3 per 100,000 compared to 40.3 per 100,000 population in 2008.  

New national standards

The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care has recently released the National Safety and Quality Mental Health Standards for community managed organisations. The framework ensures consumers, their families and carers receive safe and high-quality mental health care.

Mental health & substance use health spending outranks injuries

Data released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare shows that between 2018-19 and 2019-20, spending on mental and substance use disorders grew to replace injuries as the fourth highest category of health spending. 

New laws to enable UN to visit Qld mental health services

The Commission welcomes new legislation introduced to Parliament to facilitate the United Nations Subcommittee on the Prevention of Torture visiting places of detention in Queensland. The Bill will remove legislative barriers preventing UN access, and will enable Queensland to provide unhindered access for the UN Subcommittee, interview people in inpatient units in private, and protect against reprisals for assisting the UN Subcommittee.  

Community Partnership Innovation grants

Applications are now open for new and innovative community-based projects aimed at preventing and reducing youth offending as part of the Community Partnership Innovation Grant initiative. The grant program will open in early November. Applications for the short-term, one-off grants of up to $300,000 must align with one or all the priorities outlined in the Queensland Government’s Youth Justice Strategy. 

QMHW 2023 - Save the date!

Mark your calendars – Queensland Mental Health Week 2023 will run from Saturday 8 October to Monday 16 October 2023. World Mental Health Day will take place on Tuesday 10 October 2023.

Draft National Stigma & Discrimination Reduction Strategy released

The Draft National Stigma and Discrimination Reduction Strategy has been released by the National Mental Health Commission for public input and feedback. The Draft Strategy presents a long-term vision and proposes practical actions to reduce self-stigma, public stigma and structural stigma and discrimination. Consultation is open until 1 February 

Strategy addresses homelessness for young Queenslanders

Young Queenslanders will be able to better access safe and secure housing with the launch of Towards ending homelessness for young Queenslanders 2022-2027. The framework outlines a $29.8 million investment to deliver initiatives to ensure young people have the information and support to access safe and affordable housing.

Legal centre funding allocated

The Queensland Government has allocated over $4 million to community legal centres to improve access to justice for people experiencing mental illness. Six community legal centres from across the State had been successful in their tender applications for funding.

Closing the Gap Report 2022

Queensland’s 2022 Closing the Gap Annual Report and Snapshot has been released. The report showed that Queensland is closing the gap for First Nation’s people with positive trends in healthy baby birthweights, early childhood education, and a reduction in the rate of young people in detention.

The Queensland Mental Health Commission's Annual Report for 2021-2022 is now available. Read about the Commission’s activities in the report here.

Transport and Main Roads has launched a new drink driving campaign to put consequences front and centre. The campaign features a range of consequences right on the can, with names such as 'lose your licence lager' or 'job loss bitter' to show the devastating outcomes of drinking and driving right there at the moment of consumption. Go to the campaign.

Join the Mental Health Lived Experience Peak Queensland (MHLEPQ) Community! MHLEPQ is the system advocacy body for Queensland mental health consumers of all ages and is inviting you to become a member. You will receive updates, information, and opportunities for workshops, engagement, and partnership. Adults with a lived experience can sign up at the MHLEPQ website or email engagement@mhlepq.org.au for more information.

Sponsorships

We offer sponsorships up to $10,000 for sector events. Next round closes 28 February. 

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.

Please share this newsletter with your colleagues or on social media.