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Hi everyone
In Queensland around 650 people die by suicide each year. For every person that dies by suicide, it is estimated there are 20 more who attempt. Over recent years, attention on, and investment in, suicide prevention has been increasing. Despite this, the suicide rate has not declined.
This year’s World Suicide Prevention Day theme of ‘working together to prevent suicide’ reflects what we know—we are unlikely to make a substantial difference if we are not working in an integrated and coordinated way and with a clear vision.
Please read my opinion piece on preventing suicide. Let me know what you think we’re missing.
This week I attended our Stretch2Engage design labs. These design labs are the culmination of months of work between the Commission and the Stretch2Engage partnership. We’ve had many, many conversations about how best to put the framework into practice—to see whether it improves and increases engagement, to identify the barriers and enablers to implementing the framework—and how to evaluate it and share the learnings.
We are putting Stretch2Engage into practice in every aspect of this project—from the design labs and pilot site selection process, to the way the governance will work, how the evaluation runs, and how we plan to engage with those interested in this work.
Doing things differently can be challenging: we're looking forward to sharing this journey with you.
As always, take care of each other.
Ivan Frkovic
Queensland Mental Health Commissioner
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With the Stretch2Engage Design Lab collaborators at the Brisbane Powerhouse this week
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People first: Stretch2Engage |
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Involving people with lived experience, their families and carers in service design and evaluation are the values upon which the Stretch2Engage Framework was founded—and a fundamental right. With an emphasis on effective engagement, the framework helps realise benefits for the services, as well as for the people using the services.
Considerable effort has gone into refining the framework. The next stage of the project will be a pilot and evaluation of it at six sites sites across mental health and AOD government, non-government and private services. A suite of tools will be developed as part of the project that will be shared to assist others to improve their engagement practices.
We recently appointed Lirata Consulting to lead this work. The launch of Design Labs this week is a chance for interested services to learn more about the framework, the pilot, and to continue co-design of the pilot process.
Learn more about Stretch2Engage >> |
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Meeting with the people of Longreach
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Next week, Commissioner Ivan Frkovic and the Queensland Mental Health and Drug Advisory Council members will travel to Longreach for the September Council meeting and to meet with local stakeholders and community members.
Council member, Ms Jane Williams (below), from Longreach will be the local lead for the Council’s first regional visit. The visit will enable the Council and the Commission to gain a better understanding of regional issues and establish connections with regional partners and stakeholders.
The Commissioner will also attend the Central West Mental Health Roundtable, hosted by the Western Queensland Primary Health Network (WQPHN). The roundtable will be an opportunity to bring together a number of key stakeholders from across local government authorities, Rural Financial Counselling Service (RFCS), WQPHN Commissioned Service Providers and Central West Hospital and Health Service to explore greater integration, collaboration and client-centred service provision.
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Jane Williams community champion
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Some people are natural advocates and doers—meet Jane Williams, Queensland Mental Health and Drug Advisory Council Board Member.
Driven to make a difference, Jane is passionate about improving the wellbeing of her fellow community members in remote Queensland.
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Read Jane's story >> |
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Improving the physical health of people with a lived experience |
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We have an invitation to offer now open to identify how to improve the physical health of people with a lived experience of mental illness or problematic alcohol and other drug use. Tenders close 5.00 pm, 21 September 2018.
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Find out more >> |
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Developing our lived experience workforce |
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Members of the lived experience workforce bring a unique perspective and knowledge to their role. A project is underway to support Queensland organisations to develop and manage this workforce, which will provide strategies in the areas of training, supervision, support, culture and career progression. Headed by Dr Louise Byrne (pictured), the project will develop an evidence-based framework that is relevant for urban and regional locations, and appropriate or adaptable for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and culturally and linguistically diverse groups. |
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Consumer and carer priorities |
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Queensland’s Sarah Roxburgh and Tanya Kretschmann are heading to Canberra next month for the October meeting of the National Mental Health Consumer Carer Forum, for people with a lived experience and carers committed to influencing mental health reform in Australia. Sarah (carer representative) and Tanya (consumer representative) will champion Queensland priorities on the national agenda.
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Learn more or contact our representatives >> |
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Could you be our next council chair or member? |
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Recruitment to the Queensland Mental Health and Drug Advisory Council has commenced, with interest sought for both the chair and member positions from people from a wide range of personal, professional and cultural backgrounds. The Department of Health, on behalf of the Minister for Health and Minister for Ambulance Services released an Expression of Interest for positions that are due to expire late February 2019. Applications close midnight (AEST) Monday, 24 September 2018.
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Learn more and apply here >> |
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Reducing stigma around AOD |
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We’ve just contracted Queensland Injectors Network (QuIHN) to roll-out an Alcohol and Other Drug Anti-Stigma training package to health professionals in nine locations across Queensland. Opportunities to take part in this evidence-based training, Putting Together the Puzzle, will be promoted locally in collaboration with Primary Health Networks (PHNs), Hospital and Health Services and other health-sector stakeholders over the coming weeks. |
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Strengthening mental health and wellbeing
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Image by St Andrew's Catholic College Cairns |
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Queensland Mental Health Week 6-14 October 2018
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Happier, healthier communities
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Queensland communities today got a boost, with 44 organisations receiving grants to host Queensland Mental Health Week events. Organisations from across the state will share in funding totalling $93,000. QMHW events help us prioritise our wellbeing, while introducing us to local mental health and wellbeing services in informal social settings.
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Read the media release >> |
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Qld Mental Health Week events
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Have you registered your Queensland Mental Health Week event yet? With more than 183 events already registered across the state, chances are, there’s one near you—and if not, it’s still not too late to organise one!
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Search QMHW events >> |
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RUOK?Day is our national day of action to remind us that a conversation can change a life. Our gut instinct often tells us when something isn’t right with those people around us. Remember, you don’t need all the answers, but start a conversation anyway.
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Learn how to start that conversation >> |
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Queensland Health has launched a new Alcohol and Drug Information Service (ADIS) website, providing individuals, families and health professionals 24/7 access to information and support.
The site complements the existing 24/7 alcohol and drug service (1800 177 833) that helps Queenslanders concerned about their own or someone else’s alcohol or drug use.
The new site was developed as part of the Queensland Government’s Action on ice plan.
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Visit ADIS >> |
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Continuing to amp-up the WoW factor, the Wheel of Wellbeing (WoW) Advanced Practitioners gathered this month to share learnings, discuss and map its impact on workplaces and communities, and identify further support required to embed and sustain a statewide rollout. As ever, this happy and productive bunch stopped only briefly for the cameras!
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Learn more about WoW and its combination of positive psychology and neuroscience >> |
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Pictured: Karen Conlon, Ninan Mathew, Andre Pirini, Tony Coggins, Uani Edwards, Jan Elston, Lydia Najlepszy, Victoria Homer and Michael Hardie.
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Wellbeing across communities
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Our final Queensland Multicultural Month story celebrates the Youth Voice: young people belonging and wellbeing project, and showcases how a group of young people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds developed skills in leadership, advocacy, event management and volunteering.
Pictured are the dance crew at the Walk in our shoes youth festival.
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Read 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 30 November. |
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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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