Housing and homelessness insights released, First Nations peer workforce co-design in progress, theatre empowering young people, and suicide prevention project funding now open.
Hello everyone, it’s hard to believe it’s already November.
Firstly, I wanted to give a quick plug for Commissioner’s Corner, a new newsletter we’ve created to share more detail about all the sector events, initiatives, and connections we get to be part of at the Commission, and to capture what we can’t fit in State of mind.
State of mind is still the best spot for regular updates, but keep an eye out for Commissioner's Corner and tell us what you think.
On a more serious note, I’d like to touch on new data released by the AIHW this past month that found in 2022–23, there were around 9 potentially avoidable deaths per day among people with a history of specialist homelessness services support.
We know anyone can find themselves without stable accommodation, but people with llived-living experience of mental health and/or AOD challenges are at greater risk. The Commission continues to support solutions that enhance housing access and prevent and reduce the impacts of homelessness, including through our supportive housing position statement, our work on the Housing Ministerial Advisory Council and upcoming work I will share soon.
Finally, protecting and promoting the human rights of people with lived-living experience of mental health challenges remains a key priority for the Commission. The Australian Mental Health Consumer Alliance has just launched Australia’s only national Human Rights Survey designed by and for people with lived-living experience. The survey explores how rights have been upheld across mental health, justice, health and other systems in 2025 and I encourage you to take part and share with your network.
Breaking Barriers with the Tracking Cube: A New Model of Care We recently joined a community celebration in Alligator Creek, Townsville, hosted by the Garbutt Magpies, to mark the local adaptation of the Tracking Cube story – Murma Yalloran and Murma Youndu (Holding Children, Holding You).
By localising the Tracking Cube model, the project supports early identification and care for children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and empowers teachers, youth workers, and early educators to provide early screening and support.
In partnership with Griffith University, the Commission is helping link sectors such as early learning, education, child safety, youth justice and healthcare to better monitor and support children’s neurodevelopmental health.
It was a day of connection, shared stories, and celebration – a reminder that community wisdom drives meaningful outcomes for children and young people.Learn more.
Co-Designing a Peer Workforce Framework with First Nations Communities We have engaged Everywhen, a 100% Aboriginal-owned and led business, to co-design an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Lived-Living Experience (Peer) Workforce Framework for mental health, alcohol and other drugs, and suicide prevention.
The Framework aims to strengthen community workforce capacity and support culturally grounded, person-led care across Queensland. Community forums are being held to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices guide this important work. Register to find a forum near you.
Unraveling anxiety: supporting young minds through theatre Box Jelly Theatre Co. has been working with teenagers in schools and witnessing the growing impact of anxiety on young minds. In response, they created Enough: Unraveling Anxiety — a powerful performance for students in Years 7–10 that blends storytelling and humour to inform, empower, and connect.
Now touring high schools across North Queensland, from Mossman in the north to Longreach in the west and Mackay in the south. The team has already visited 20 schools and reached over 3,100+ students.
The Commission is currently inviting offers from eligible suppliers to develop best practice guidelines for supporting a person impacted by domestic and family violence at suicide risk and guidelines for government on partnering with people with lived experience in policy development.
Up to $100,000 is available, with applications open until 2pm AEST on 1 December 2025.
Visit our website to find a recording of the briefing session for this funding opportunity and information regarding how to apply.
Sponsorships
We offer sponsorships of up to $10,000 for sector events. The current round closes on 29 November 2025.
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