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Learn more about our work and cross-sectoral action << Click here >> |
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Welcome to our new Advisory Council members
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Hi everyone
I am pleased to welcome 10 new members to the Queensland Mental Health and Drug Advisory Council.
The new members appointed by the Minister of Health and Minister for Ambulance Services Steven Miles include: Professor David Kavanagh (Chair), Ms Kimina Andersen, Associate Professor Jason Ferris, Mr Edward Fewings, Mr Jorgen Gullestrup, Ms Kerrie Keepa, Ms Emma Kill, Mr Ignacia Correa Velez, Ms Jane Williams, and Ms Naraja Clay.
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The new members have been approved for a three-year term, ending 23 February 2022. They join five current members — Ms Gabrielle Vilic (Deputy Chair), Professor Robert Bland, Ms Karlyn Chettleburgh, Professor Brett Emmerson, and Ms Sue Scheinpflug.
The Advisory Council plays an important role in the work of the Commission, championing for people living with mental health issues, problems related to alcohol and other drug use, or impacted by suicide. Members bring expertise, passion and the perspectives of different sections of the Queensland community to the role.
The new Advisory Council will meet for the first time in early May.
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Congratulations to MATES in Construction on their launch of a blueprint for better mental health and wellbeing earlier this month. It was encouraging to see Construction Skills Queensland (CSQ), an industry-funded skills and training body, step up to fund a number of projects as part of the blueprint. CSQ has invested more than $700,000 to help create mentally healthier workplaces.
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At many of the meetings and events I’ve attended in the past few months, people are keen to talk about the NDIS and its effect on the community mental health sector. Initially, we were concerned about making sure people with psychosocial disability could get a package.
But now people are starting to grapple with the effect of the NDIS on the viability of the sector and its workforce. Previously, many thought that the only way to remain viable was for organisations to merge, become bigger so they could realise economy of scale. What I’ve seen recently though is that some of the smaller, niche organisations in the community mental health sector are maintaining viability.
Have a relaxing Easter break and, as always, take care of each other.
Ivan Frkovic
Queensland Mental Health Commissioner |
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(From left) Ester De Guzman, Antonia Holland, Lauren Schaeller, Stuart Webster, Michelle Sweeper, Michael Isager and Fiona Warner welcomed Dr Stefan Preissler (far right) to West Moreton Mental Health Service. |
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Commission visits West Moreton Mental Health
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QMHC Program Manager Dr Stefan Preissler recently visited the mental health wards at West Moreton HHS to gain practical insight into the work on the wards and talk to staff about their experience and the challenges they face in supporting the recovery of mental health patients.
The visit was organised by Fiona Warman, Nursing Director, Community and Acute Mental Health at West Moreton. Dr Preissler met with clinical staff, an Independent Patient Rights Advisor and Carer Consultant. Discussions focused on work under the Mental Health Act, recovery-orientated treatment and care, and finding the right balance between protecting patients’ rights and ensuring the safety of staff on the wards.
“I left with an appreciation of the work undertaken by a committed team of highly qualified staff who, with great dedication and respect for the dignity of patients, care for the most vulnerable people in a difficult and in many ways challenging environment,” he said.
The Commission thanks Fiona Warman and her team for making this visit possible despite their busy work schedule. |
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ED alternative trial underway
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Redland Hospital is the trial site for a new program offering support to people experiencing a mental health crisis. Co-designed with the community, people who access mental health services, families and clinicians, the program has two components.
The first is the Living EDge room at Redland Hospital is a peer-hosted space that serves as an alternative waiting room to the emergency department (ED), or as a space where people can self-manage and avoid needing to go to the emergency department altogther. |
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Jayden brings mental health focus to new role
Jayden Parsons is bringing his passion for helping young people improve their mental wellbeing through physical activity to his new role as a member of the new Queensland Youth Engagement Panel.
A young man who wears many hats, Jayden is currently completing his Bachelor of Laws through Griffith University, is a member of YMCA Australia’s Office for Young People, a Global Change Agent for the World Alliance of the YMCA’s, and is a mentor for the YMCA Youth Parliament. |
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Measuring impact of AOD services
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The newly launched Queensland Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment and Harm Reduction Outcomes Framework (THROF) has been developed over the last four years by the Queensland Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) sector network, whose membership includes the Queensland Mental Health Commission.
The THROF provides a foundation for AOD Treatment services to demonstrate they provide effective, evidence-based responses to reduce alcohol and other drug related harm, and increase health and wellbeing. It outlines a range of outcome indicators at an individual, service and system level and includes universal and treatment type specific indicators.
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Ivan Frkovic and Michael Hogan (Director-General, Department of Child Safety, Youth and Women) signing the MOU. |
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MOU signals start to Healing Strategy |
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The QMHC and the Department of Child Safety, Youth and Women have signed a memorandum of understanding to develop a healing strategy to contribute to safer, stronger Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and communities and a brighter future for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in Queensland.
The healing strategy will be developed through a culturally informed co-design process, led by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, under the guidance and leadership of the Queensland First Children and Families Board.
The healing strategy recognises that social, emotional, cultural, spiritual and physical wellbeing of the whole community is paramount to achieving individual wellness for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
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For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, connections to their family, community and culture are critical to their wellbeing and positive self-identity.
Developing a Healing Strategy is a key action of the Changing Tracks action plan, a key initiative of the Queensland Government’s Supporting Families, Changing Futures.
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Blueprint for better mental health for construction workers
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The recently launched MATES in Construction Blueprint for Better Mental Health and Suicide Prevention aims to achieve better mental health for construction workers across Queensland.
Developed in consultation with industry, unions and beyondblue, the plan will work to reduce suicide and its devastating effect on families, work colleagues and communities. |
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(From left) From left: Ivan Frkovic, Queensland Mental Health Commissioner; Wally Trohear, Director, Mates in Construction, Jorgen Gullestrup, CEO, Mates in Construction; Jacinta Hawgood, Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention (AISRAP), Associate Professor Allison Milner, University of Melbourne; and Dr Victoria Ross, AISRAP at the blueprint launch. |
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Help shape Australia’s new National Suicide Prevention Implementation Strategy
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Your feedback is needed to help draft a new national suicide prevention strategy for Australia.
The strategy will embody the collective aspiration of all governments that fewer lives are lost to suicide and will be supported by every health minister in Australia.
A consultation document to inform and shape the drafting of the strategy is now available for feedback. |
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The QMHC made an initial submission to the Productivity Commission inquiry into the role of improving mental health to support economic participation and enhancing productivity and economic growth.
View the submission |
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One year on from the release of Improving outcomes from police interactions: a systemic approach options paper, we continue to support collaborative, system-wide approaches to support and improve outcomes of interactions between first responders and people living with mental illness or experiencing a mental health crisis.
A report outlining progress made towards implementing the options for continued improvement is now available.
Read the final progress report |
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If you are a consumer or carer, the National Mental Health Commission (NMHC) wants your views on the how mental health services have performed in the past 12 months.
The Fifth National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan (Fifth Plan) Consumer and Carer Survey 2019 will help the commission understand whether the actions implemented under the Fifth are is translating into genuine improvements in care. The survey will remain open until 30 April 2019. For more information, visit the NMHC website.
Complete the survey now |
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The Emerging Minds: National Workforce Centre for Child Mental Health has released their Community Trauma Toolkit. Tailored to six key audiences (educators, first responders, community leaders, parents/carers, GPs, and health and social service practitioners), the kit contains videos, podcasts, training workshops, infographics and downloadable factsheets.
Find out more |
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This year Queensland Mental Health Week (QMHW) will run from 5 to 13 October. The week will coincide with World Mental Health Day on Thursday 10 October.
The week is your opportunity to get involved in increasing awareness and interest in positive mental health and wellbeing across the state.
Now is the time to get thinking about your event. More information will follow in the coming months, including details on registering your event and accessing official merchandise.
To keep up to date with all the latest news, subscribe to QMHW e-news and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. |
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The National Mental Health Commission is seeking expressions of interest from interested and appropriately qualified people to sit on the National Peer Workforce Development Guidelines Steering Committee.
Find out more |
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Sponsorships
Looking to extend the reach of your mental health, drug or alcohol awareness event, conference or project? Sponsorships up to $10 000 are available. Current round closes 31 May.
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Sector grants
The Queensland Council of Social Service (QCOSS) publishes a comprehensive list of sector grants.
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Events
Check out the latest major sector events, hosted by the Commission and partner organisations.
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