eNews  |  July 2022

Over 2 million Australians have a long-term mental health condition

The recent release of the 2021 census data revealed that mental illness has become the most common diagnosed chronic illness in Australia.

More than 2.2 million people stated that they have a diagnosed mental health condition, more than those who reported having arthritis or asthma.

The National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing 2020-21 has found more than two in five (43.7 per cent) Australians aged 16-85 years have experienced a mental health condition in their lifetime and one in five (21.4 per cent or 4.2 million people) had a 12-month mental disorder, with anxiety the most common condition among this group. The data also provides clear evidence of the mental health pressures engulfing young people with almost two in five (39.6 per cent) aged 16-24 years citing any 12-month mental condition (e.g. high/very high psychological distress, self-harm, disordered eating, and anxiety).

The ABS data is essential for service planning against demand and anticipated future need.

Launch of 1000 Voices survey

The Queensland Mental Health Commission (QMHC) is undertaking a systematic analysis of the mental health non-government community services sector in Queensland. We have partnered with the Queensland Alliance for Mental Health (QAMH) for the research initiative, which is being conducted on our behalf by Griffith University and Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR) Berghofer. Importantly, the study will further our understanding of the current environment, challenges, and opportunities for the sector.

We have launched a survey for:

1. Staff of non-government organisation (NGO) services
   
2. People accessing these services (consumers and carers)

Our aim is to include 1000 voices from across Queensland in this landmark project. Responses are anonymous, however, you can (separately) nominate to go into one of the draws to win a $100 voucher.

Please help us distribute this survey to mental health NGO services, and the people who access these services.

New round of Putting Together the Puzzle training 

The Commission has partnered with QuIHN to deliver another round of Putting Together the Puzzle workforce training sessions. As a result of our Changing attitudes, changing lives report, this program was first run in 2018-19 and draws on lived experience insights to reduce alcohol and other drug-related stigma and discrimination in healthcare settings. This current advertised sessions have filled quickly, but stay tuned for further workshops later this year.

Wellbeing budget adopted at Federal level

I wish to congratulate the new Federal Government for putting Australia’s wellbeing at the centre of its first budget. While Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and financial management are important, ultimately they are only meant to serve the interests, needs, and wellbeing of the people. We hosted NZ Treasury representative Jessica Hewat at the 2019 Leading reform summit to outline NZ’s groundbreaking wellbeing budget – watch the video.

Save the date – Leading reform summit 2022

We’re working on the first Leading reform summit for two years, to be held on 23-24 November 2022. Sector leaders are invited to register your interest.

New Safe Spaces open across North Brisbane

New Safe Spaces to support people experiencing emotional distress or suicidal thoughts have recently opened in the North Brisbane and Moreton Bay region. The Safe Spaces provide friendly and welcoming support, in a safe environment, as an alternative to emergency departments.

Development of Hervey Bay mental health unit

Work is underway on a new mental health unit at Hervey Bay. The $39.6 million project is under construction next to Hervey Bay Hospital and will have 22 mental health beds. The unit will double the mental health bed capacity on the Fraser Coast and is expected to be operational next year.

Expansion of Cairns Hospital

The new $70 million, 53-bed mental health unit at Cairns Hospital is currently under construction. The purpose-built unit includes a 10-bed intensive care unit, and will provide a modern and therapeutic environment to support recovery.

Ramsay Health Care moves services outside hospitals

Ramsay Health Care has begun moving its mental health services outside hospitals and into the community, opening 11 psychology clinics across Australia, including a new psychology clinic in Brisbane.

Support program for youth bereaved by suicide

Feel the Magic has launched a new suicidal grief program titled Let’s Talk Suicide. The program is run both virtually and in person and focuses on the needs of kids grieving the death of a parent and/or sibling due to suicide.

Sayf launches new mobile app

Mental health crisis support service, Sayf has launched its mobile app, aiming to make help-seeking more accessible. The app allows users to select a ‘support crew’ from their contacts to let them know how they’re feeling.

R U OK? driving new conversations

R U OK? in Trucks and Sheds, a collaboration between R U OK? and Healthy Heads in Trucks & Sheds, has developed free resources to help drive conversations with people in the road transport, warehousing and logistics industries, and genuinely ask, “are you OK?”

New online resources: MENTUPP program

The Mental Health Promotion and Intervention in Occupational Settings (MENTUPP) Hub offers a suite of free evidence-informed online resources and activities tailored for the healthcare, construction, and ICT sectors to build mentally healthy workplaces.

CALD Suicide Prevention Project

The Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Suicide Prevention Project upskills human services workers to recognise and support people from diverse backgrounds who are experiencing suicidal ideation or behaviour. The project will also upskill culturally diverse media outlets on safe portrayal of  suicide, alongside Mindframe.

Queensland Mental Health Week

Are you ready for Queensland Mental Health Week (QMHW)? Several activities are gearing up. Nominations are now open for the QMHW Achievement Awards, entries are also open for Out from the Mist, a photography, short movie, and music competition, and registrations are now open for the Walk for Awareness.

REPORT: Duty of Care: Aged Care Sector in Crisis

The Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA) has released a new report, Duty of care: Aged care sector in crisis. The report found the annual staff shortage in the sector has doubled in under a year, escalating from 17,000 to 35,000. CEDA reported if workforce shortages at this level continue, there won't be enough workers to meet basic standards of care recommended by the Royal Commission.

Connect-ed: directory of eating disorders clinicians

The Australia & New Zealand Academy for Eating Disorders (ANZAED) and the National Eating Disorders Collaboration (NEDC) have launched connect-ed, Australia’s first searchable, accessible, national directory of Credentialed Eating Disorder Clinicians, to help people experiencing eating disorders identify and access the right treatment at the right time.

APS: Chronic psychologist shortages

The Australian Psychological Society (APS) has called for extra federal government support to address the chronic shortage of psychologists. The pandemic and natural disasters in Queensland had led to a “significant demand” for psychologists in the state.

Funding to boost NDIS access in Queensland

The Queensland-run Assessment and Referral Team (ART) will be available for a further 12 months, providing one-on-one assistance to at-risk children and young people aged 7-25 years as part of the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

Ask the professional network 

The Mental Health Professionals Network (MHPN) is piloting the Insight Advisory Service to enable approved mental health organisations to connect with a network of mental health practitioners and seek their views and input on a range of mental health issues.

Queensland Budget 2022-23

The 2022-23 State Budget provides an additional $1.645 billion plus capital investment of $28.5 million over five years to deliver extra beds, improve mental health, alcohol and other drugs, and suicide prevention services and deliver a range of suicide prevention initiatives. Here's a summary of mental health funding.

The Perspectives 2022 Lived Experience e-Symposium will be held online over two half days on 23 and 24 August. It will feature a line-up of lived experience speakers, leaders, and advocates. Register here

Eating Disorder Core Skills: eLearning for Mental Health Professionals training is being offered by NEDC. The training provides comprehensive foundational eating disorder training developed specifically for mental health professionals. Find out more.

Casenote writing skills course for frontline workers - QCOSS and Peakcare are running a workshop to cover the basic principles of casenote writing while addressing some of the more complex issues that casenote writer need to consider. Get the details and register.

Vape Truths is a new Queensland Health campaign aimed at increasing knowledge and awareness about the health risks of vaping. Go to the campaign.

The Social Enterprise World Forum (SEWF) is coming to Brisbane. The two-day hybrid event (28-29 September) will feature inspiring speakers, as well as masterclasses, panel discussions, and fireside chats from social enterprise leaders and change-makers from across the globe. Sign up here. 

Registrations are open for Systematic Tailored Assessment for Responding to Suicidality (STARS) protocol training delivered by AISRAP.

Attend the training.

Sponsorships

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

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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