eNews  |  June 2022

Record mental health budget

I welcome the record state investment of $1.645 billion over five years into mental health and alcohol and other drugs services. This investment will provide welcome relief to the state’s stretched mental health and alcohol and other drugs services.

The Queensland Government’s leadership and strong commitment towards mental health is commended. This additional funding will mean a lot to many Queenslanders with lived experience trying to access support, as well as service providers that are struggling to meet excess demand.

However, it will take some time for the funding’s effects to be felt, as the system’s issues are far broader and more complex than funding alone.

This investment needs to drive real system change that’s focused on community-based approaches, where the front door into mental health and alcohol and other drugs services is away from hospital.

It’s important now that government continues to engage with the sectors as it formulates its response to the Parliamentary inquiry.

The sector has consistently said that additional funding is needed but is only part of the solution. We can’t continue to do the same things and expect different results.

It must be accompanied by fundamental system change to achieve better outcomes for people with lived experience.

Renewal of Shifting minds and Every life

I’m pleased to advise that work is commencing to renew the Shifting minds: Queensland Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drugs strategic plan and phase two of the Every life suicide prevention plan. This includes review and analysis of submissions made to the Parliamentary Mental Health Select Committee as part of its inquiry. Over the next six months we will be engaging with stakeholders with a view to finalising a renewed plan mid-2023.

Introducing new Qld consumer representative

We are delighted to announce Jordan Frith as the new Queensland consumer representative on the National Mental Health Consumer and Carer Forum.

The forum is the avenue for consumers and carers to be involved in shaping national mental health policy. Jordan is an active mental health advocate and consumer representative, who is passionate about systems reform and working towards a mental health system that is welcoming and inclusive for all.

We would also like to acknowledge Tanya Kretschmann’s considerable contribution to national mental health system reform in her time as Queensland’s consumer representative.

New rehabilitation centre opens in Rockhampton

A new purpose-built public residential rehabilitation centre for drug and alcohol addiction has opened in Rockhampton. The 42-bed centre, called Binbi Yadubay – Healthy Beginnings, is the first in Queensland to offer withdrawal, rehabilitation, and family units.

Mental Health Co-Responders program launched

A specialist program for responding to emergency mental health calls in Townsville has been made permanent following a successful trial. The program allows vulnerable people to be assessed in their own home by an experienced health professional.

Demand surges for alcohol support services

The number of Australians seeking out alcohol support services is climbing as a result of the pandemic, according to a new report released by the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (FARE).

Support for young people leaving care

The Queensland Government has committed to funding the needs of vulnerable young people in care up to the age of 21 so they can be better supported as they take the major step to adulthood.

New R U OK? Podcast: Mob Way

R U OK?’s new R U OK? Stronger Together podcast, Mob Way yarns with First Nations people about their experiences of life’s ups and downs, how we have conversations and open up, and ask that question ‘are you okay?’, in our way: Mob Way.

OurHerd: mental health storytelling app

OurHerd is a new mental health storytelling app that empowers young people to use their collective voices to create actionable change. The platform provides a safe and supportive space to share stories about tough times, resilience and hope.

New social and affordable homes

The State Government’s Housing Investment Fund will deliver up to 1,200 new social and affordable homes through a partnership between community housing provider Brisbane Housing Company and the Queensland Investment Corporation.

Financial Distress and Mental Wellbeing webinar

For many small business owners, financial pressure is one of the biggest sources of stress. Beyond Blue is running a webinar dedicated to the subject of financial distress and mental health within the small business community.

Making Connections Program 2022

This August, the National Mental Health Commission will be in Queensland for its Making Connections for Your Mental Health and Wellbeing consultation program. You’re invited to share your experience of the mental health and suicide prevention system through a series of community conversations and an online National Connections Survey.

Local Thriving Communities Action Plan released

The Queensland Government has released the Local Thriving Communities Action Plan to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

It commits to better support First Nations communities to make decisions about their own future, build on community strengths, and invest in making communities stronger.

Apply now: Path to Treaty

Expressions of interest are now open to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Queenslanders for membership positions on an Independent Interim Body, Path to Treaty. The body will play a key role in driving Queensland’s Path to Treaty process.

Australians for Mental Health

During the election campaign, Australians for Mental Health campaigned for the Federal Government to address #TheMissingMiddle and #FixTheWaitlist in our mental health system. The ongoing campaign seeks to double the workforce, scale up digital care and establish a national waitlist.

National NAIDOC Week celebrations are being held across Australia to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC Week, 3-10 July, is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations cultures and histories and participate in celebrations of the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth. You can support and get to know your local Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities through activities and events held across the country. Find out more. 

The 2022 Queensland Council of Social Service (QCOSS) Conference is coming! The conference will explore Power and Politics of the Care Economy, with a fantastic range of sessions that will examine the broad trends impacting the sector. Topics include the future role of the care economy in Queensland, advancing gender equality, the Path towards Treaty, and the implementation of the Human Rights Act 2019 across the community services sector. The conference will be held 6-8 September 2022. Register here.

2022 Queensland Community Impact Awards QCOSS has announced the inaugural Community Impact Awards, which will recognise the enormous contribution of the community services sector. During the two years of COVID-19, these organisations and people who work with them, have been essential to keeping Queensland’s communities connected and safe. Submit a nomination here.

Celebrating Multicultural Queensland grants open now! Applications are now open for Queensland-based organisations keen to deliver multicultural festivals and events in 2023. Find out more. 

Sponsorships

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

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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