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Hello everyone
After almost 30 years of involvement in mental health reform and service improvement in various capacities, I have the benefit of a longitudinal view. It was in the nineties, when the size and scale of mental illness was really bought home to me personally.
The first National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing in 1997 alerted us to the clear evidence that mental health disorders were much more common than generally understood, that the impact of mental illness upon lives is substantial and far reaching and that there is significant under-treatment of people living with mental illness. The second National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing in 2007 not only confirmed the size of the problem, but also highlighted the widespread negative attitudes towards mental illness and treatment.
The urgent need for a better response better galvanised governments to improve the availability, accessibility and quality of mental health services.
While there is still much more to do to improve the service system, we have a dedicated policy and funding response that is seeking to improve this situation. In stark and concerning contrast, the area that provides real potential to stem the tide and reduce the occurrence of mental illness is sadly lacking focus, priority or ownership — that is, prevention.
The value and necessity of cementing mental health promotion, prevention and early intervention as the foundation of our mental health system is the topic of my most recent opinion piece.
I encourage you to read Making prevention a priority and let me know whether you agree or not.
Best wishes
Ivan Frkovic
Queensland Mental Health Commissioner
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Media portrayal of alcohol and other drug (AOD ) use is generally alarmist, with many media stories linking people with problem AOD use to crime and violence. This, in turn, contributes to stigma and discrimination.
Mindframe National Media Initiative has turned its expertise to media reporting on the topic of alcohol and other drugs (AOD) with a project to develop a comprehensive set of resources and guidelines for media.
The Mindframe project aligns with one of the options for reform in our recent publication, Changing attitudes, changing lives.
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Keep up to date with Mindframe >> |
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National alcohol strategy |
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A new national alcohol strategy being developed as a sub-strategy of the National Drug Strategy 2017–2026 will outline Australia’s approach to preventing and minimising alcohol-related harm. The Ministerial Drug and Alcohol Forum is overseeing its development.
The forum sought responses to a consultation draft of the National Alcohol Strategy 2018–2026 through a public consultation. More than 100 submissions were received. Forum members considered the consultation findings at their June meeting, at which they were also updated on progress on the development of the National FASD strategy. The forum also decided to hold further consultation through a roundtable.
The strategy will be finalised by the end of 2018. |
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Strengthening mental health and wellbeing
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Queensland Mental Health Week (QMHW) will be here before we know it, so mark 6–14 October 2018 in your diary now. Coordinated on behalf of the sector this year by MIFQ and CheckUp, QMHW is an opportunity to focus community attention on the importance of mental health and wellbeing.
Join in now by subscribing to the QMHW newsletter or follow what’s happening on the week's Facebook, Twitter or Instagram accounts.
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The Queensland Mental Health Week Achievement Awards recognise and celebrate individuals, groups and organisations working to reduce stigma and support and empower those living with mental illness. Sponsorship opportunities are also available.
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Learn more >> |
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Grants of up to $2500 are now available to local government, non-government and community organisations under the Queensland Mental Health Week Community Events Grant program, with applications due in by 5pm Monday 6 August.
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Learn more >> |
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Calling all artists! Applications are open for the Recovered Futures Art Exhibition to be held in King George Square. The exhibition is open to the public from 5 to 12 October during Mental Health Week. Art lodgement forms due by Friday 20 July.
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Learn more >> |
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Schools focus on wellbeing
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Momentum is gathering in school communities around the Wheel of Wellbeing (WoW) as a tool for improving mental health and wellbeing.
Lydia Najlepszy, one of Education Queensland’s school mental health coaches, was trained among the first wave of WoW Advanced Practitioners in 2017. After delivering many workshops to school communities in the North Coast region, she’s starting to see WoW’s influence and good fit, and continues to encourage program participants to implement the learnings both personally and professionally.
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Learn more >> |
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Lydia Najlepszy, Mental Health Coach, Engagement and Student Wellbeing, North Coast Region, Department of Education
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Pictured: Wheel of Wellbeing participants from community organisations and local councils during training |
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The reach of the Wheel of Wellbeing (WoW) is set to extend as neighbourhood and community centre staff are trained in the program.
Last month, 24 participants from community organisations and local councils began WoW intensive training facilitated by Tony Coggins (Maudsley International) and Jan Elston (WoW Support Program). Their full training program will be complete by the end of 2018.
Participants explored ways to apply the WoW program in their work, with some looking to implement self-care and wellbeing strategies and programs for volunteers, staff, and within community groups. Some participants plan to use the training to add structure to existing parenting and mental health programs and playgroups, and with families who are experiencing domestic violence or homelessness. One neighbourhood centre also plans to collaborate with a local Men’s Shed.
The training was offered through a partnership between the Commission and the Department of Communities, Disability Services and Seniors. |
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Tenders now open! Evaluation of the Stretch2Engage pilot |
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The Commission is seeking offers to evaluate the pilot of the Stretch2Engage, a framework for improving engagement of people with lived experience in service design and evaluation.
The Stretch2Engage framework has been designed to assist services to improve their engagement practices, and we are evaluating the efficacy of the framework in six sites across mental health and AOD services in public, private and non-government settings, located in Brisbane and surrounding areas. Learn more about Stretch2Engage.
Tenders close at 5pm Friday 3 August 2018
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Register and learn more on QTenders >> |
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Grants: Community Farmacy
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Pharmacists are often the first port of call for people seeking general health advice. This is especially true in rural communities, where health services may not be as accessible as urban areas.
The local pharmacist can be a source of health advice, counselling, and all-round problem-solving and support. Acknowledging the pivotal community role of the local pharmacist, and the higher rates of mental illness in rural and remote areas, the Commission funded Community Farmacy—The Helping Hand Initiative to deliver mental health first aid training to pharmacy staff and farming community members in four rural locations.
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Read more >> |
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Each month, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Capability Team in Queensland Health publish the e-magazine Which way. Featuring good news stories gathered from across the state, Which way is a vehicle for connecting people, sharing yarns and building cultural capability.
Regular Which way features include Dorri News,Murri Grapevine, Too Neat, and Cultural Capability 5 in a great round-up of events, profiles, job opportunities and policy news.
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Subscribe to Which way >> |
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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 August. |
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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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