Commissioner update; Partner with us - tender for Queensland Mental Health Week; National Suicide Prevention Strategy; NEW Hi-Ground resources; and more
It's hard to believe we are already at the end of March and almost through the first quarter of the year.
Firstly, I wanted to acknowledge our North Queensland and South East Queensland communities recently impacted by flooding and Cyclone Alfred. We're no strangers to facing natural disasters in Queensland and pulling together in times of crisis, but our mental wellbeing can sometimes be overlooked.
Powering Up Summit and Roses in the Ocean Lived Experience of Suicide Summit
Over the past few weeks, I have had the honour of attending and speaking at a number of events the Commission has sponsored to support the Peer workforce and lived experience expertise. The first was Queensland Lived Experience Workforce Network's (QLEWN) Powering Up Summit up on the Sunshine Coast, which for me was a real opportunity to marvel at just how far the Peer workforce has come since I first started my career. I also got the chance to attend Roses in the Ocean's Lived Experience of Suicide Summit and speak about the importance of embedding lived experience perspectives in reform. Our workshop at the Summit, also marked the start of conversations around the development of Phase 3 of Every life, The Queensland Suicide Prevention Plan. Read more below.
International Family Drug Support Day
The start of the year also aligns with one of my favourite events - International Family Drug Support Day. I've attended this event for many years, but as with previous years, I was yet again blown away by those who generously and courageously share their stories and experiences and how important the harm reduction agenda continues to be for Queensland.
It's going to be another busy month at the Commission and I look forward to sharing more in the next eNews.
Last month, the Commission attended the inaugural Powering Up Summit on the Sunshine Coast. The Summit was designed by the Lived-Living Experience Workforce for the Lived-Living Experience Workforce and it was fantastic to have 230 people in the room together to connect, practice skills and share learnings to elevate and move the system and peer workforce forward.
We would like to thank the Queensland Lived Experience Workforce Network (QLEWN) for their efforts as well as all people with lived-living experience, workforce members, and allies who shared this experience with us.
National Peer Work Scholarship Program
After successfully awarding 178 scholarships over a two-year period (2023 and 2024), the program is now closed. The scholarship program was implemented to increase the Lived-Living Experience workforce by reducing financial and other barriers encountered by many people seeking to enter the workforce.
As part of the scholarship package, recipients received $1000 to support with study, had their Certificate IV Mental Health Peer Work course fee paid, and received group mentoring. Scholarships were distributed across Queensland, to ensure representation from diverse backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and residents in rural and remote areas.
We wish all recipients the best with their studies and thank the Queensland Alliance for Mental Health for their work in making this important initiative to grow the peer workforce available throughout Queensland. Read more about Peer Work.
This report, developed by Deloitte, quantifies and explores the economic and social benefits that supportive housing delivers forindividual tenants and for the broader system. The report found that Brisbane Common Ground delivers improvement for individual's health, safety and social outcomes which equate to $203,700 in economic and social benefits per tenant, over their lifetime.
These findings support the Commission's position statement More than a roof, that identifies supportive housing as a best practice approach to reduce housing instability and homelessness for people with complex needs.
Partner with us - tender for Queensland Mental Health Week
We're looking for an organisation to lead the coordination of Queensland Mental Health Week for the next three years.
Queensland Mental Health Week aligns with our strategic plans and is a key initiative to support and promote community mental health and wellbeing, reduce stigma and discrimination, and increase help-seeking and help-offering. It involves planning and promotion of the week, event registration and delivery of the community event grant program.
A tender is currently open for mental health and/or community sector organisations or a consortium to coordinate the week. Be quick! The tender closes 4 April 2025. Go to: https://buff.ly/lbrNchw
Health Translation Queensland strategy planning workshop
The Commission participated in Health Translation Queensland’s (HTQ) strategy planning workshop, contributing insights to help shape its next strategic plan. The workshop focused on governance structures to better support researchers and ensure that published findings have clear pathways to influence policy and clinical developments. The Commission was called to offer insights into government priorities and strategic alignment, ensuring that resources are allocated effectively to support contemporary agendas and best practices.
HTQ also recently launched the Mental Health Workforce Hub, a centralised online resource designed to bring together mental health training, education and research to support the mental health workforce in Queensland and beyond. This initiative is one of several projects and collaborative groups overseen by HTQ.
SEEN: The Film
Last month, the Commission attended the Brisbane premier screening of SEEN: The Film. The powerful documentary explores the long-term impact of childhood trauma and the journey of healing to create stronger, healthier families. The themes of SEEN: The Film align with the Queensland Trauma Strategy, which focuses on recognising, responding to, and preventing the long-term effects of trauma to support family and community wellbeing.
International Family Drug Support Day
The Commission attended International Family Drug Support Day, standing alongside individuals, families, and carers impacted by alcohol and drug challenges.
Key themes from the day included acknowledging the strength and resilience of families and carers; advocating for a human rights and health-based approach to drug policy; and acknowledging that for many, the journey continues—and so must our efforts to build a system that truly supports individuals and families.
Thank you to Family Drug Support Australia for hosting the event and to all the attendees who shared their experiences with us.
NEW Hi-Ground resources
Hi-Ground has released its second series of drug info flyers. The flyers are a series of educational resources that have been developed collaboratively by healthcare workers and people who use drugs for their peers and the wider community to assist with harm reduction. Additional resources were developed explaining the Police Drug Diversion Program that allows Police to offer an alternative to being charged for a minor drugs possession offence.
The Commission funded Hi-Ground (through QuIVAA) to deliver peer-led harm reduction initiatives and activities. The flyers include information that clients expressed they wanted to know about substances such as their effects, drug checking, safer using and harm reduction strategies.
National Suicide Prevention Strategy
Last month, the National Suicide Prevention Office released the National Suicide Prevention Strategy 2025-2035. The Strategy aims to unify the efforts of governments, communities and service providers to improve suicide prevention outcomes in Australia.
Under the leadership of the National Suicide Prevention Office, regular input was sought from all jurisdictions, and a dedicated forum was established to foster national collaboration, facilitate knowledge-sharing, and enhance communication. We are proud to have played a part in its development alongside Queensland Health and representatives from all states and territories.
Roses in the Ocean Lived Experience of Suicide Summit
In partnership with Roses in the Ocean, the Commission facilitated a workshop at the National Lived Experience of Suicide Summit 2025 (13-14 March). The workshop sought to ensure the voices of people with lived experience of suicide are at the core of Every life Phase Three. Some key takeaways included the need to prioritise regional, rural, and remote communities in suicide prevention reform, and build the skills of community leaders to increase the capability to respond to people in distress. It was a great discussion and we look forward to incorporating your feedback into the third and final phase of Every Life.
Defence and Veteran Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy submission
The Commission is progressing a submission to the Defence and Veteran Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2024-2029 Exposure Draft. The strategy aims to improve the mental health and wellbeing of the defence and veteran community, who are overrepresented in suicide statistics nationally. This is recommended through early intervention and prevention, timely access to care and support, and a positive and connected community.
Are you supporting a young person with mental health or psychosocial challenges? Raising Minds invites you to participate in the co-design of the Resilience in Reach platform. The session aims to co-design workshops, resources and support programs that will be featured on the platform and drive real, meaningful change for families and young people. The session will be held on 28 March 2025, if you would like to participate,register here.
Queensland youth can now sign up to MOST, a free, safe, digital mental health service for young people aged 12-25. MOST provides access to helpful tools, a caring community, and qualified mental health professionals. Find out more about this service, here.
Upbeat Arts is welcoming new members! Their programs have been carefully crafted to provide individuals with an escape from their everyday worries, allowing them to regain their sense of joy, be accepted, feel self-worth and meet new people. If you know someone who could benefit from the transformative power of the arts and the positive experiences that brings, then visit Upbeat Arts.
Register now for 'The Menopause Mindfield' a free online panel event by Beyond Blue. The panel will be held on Wednesday, 2 April 2025 and features experts who will discuss looking after your mental health in perimenopause and menopause. Visit Beyond Blue for more information and to register.
Did you know?The Queensland Council of Social Service (QCOSS) Queensland’s peak body for the social service sector runs regular workshops and webinars? You can find out about upcoming events here, or watch recordings from previous events here.
The National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Evaluation Framework was released in early February. It provides best practice guidance on the conduct of mental health and suicide prevention evaluations, in order to improve the quality and consistency of evaluations in the sector. You can read the Evaluation Framework, here.
The Rural Health in Australia Snapshot 2025 is now available to read. Among other essential data, the Snapshot outlines that rural populations often face unique challenges, such as limited access to healthcare, higher rates of chronic conditions and greater barriers to prevention and treatment, making health outcomes a critical focus on improving rural health equity. You can read more, here.
The Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Declaration Framework and Implementation Plan was launched last month, setting a 10-year roadmap to embed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership, cultural strength, and best practices into Australia’s mental health system. It provides a strategic approach to achieving the highest standard of social and emotional wellbeing, mental health, and suicide prevention for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Read the plan and framework, here.
Sponsorship
We offer sponsorships up to $10,000 for sector events. The next round opens1 May 2025.
