Act now: Apply for a grant to support community mental health

Looking to make a positive impact on mental health in your community? Do you have a great idea for a Queensland Mental Health Week event?

To assist communities in getting their ideas up and running there are one-off grants of up to $3000 now available through the Queensland Mental Health Week Community Events Grant Program. But you need to hurry because applications to this program, funded by the Queensland Government through the Queensland Mental Health Commission, close next week at 5pm on Friday 26 May 2023.

Queensland Mental Health Commissioner Ivan Frkovic said Queensland Mental Health Week events can provide a safe and supportive environment for people to come together, share experiences and learn about mental health and wellbeing.

“Through awareness and education, these events can help break down stigma surrounding mental health challenges and encourage people to seek help when they need it,” he said.

“Queensland Mental Health Week events foster a sense of community connection and inclusion, helping people feel supported and less alone—which can be especially important during times of increased community distress.”

Mr Frkovic emphasised the importance of prevention and early intervention to reduce the incidence and impact of mental illness in Queensland.

“Making time each day to focus on the building blocks of mental wellbeing—getting healthy, continue learning, show kindness, connect more, take notice and embrace nature—build healthy habits that help you stay well,” he said.

CheckUP administers the Queensland Mental Health Week Community Events Grant Program on behalf of the Queensland Mental Health Commission and in 2023 there will be a total funding pool of over $100,000 available for distribution.

CheckUP CEO Ann Maree Liddy explained that the grants offset event expenses, such as engaging specialists for workshops or seminars, so people are getting quality information about looking after their mental wellbeing.

“Many Queensland Mental Health Week events link with local mental health services and focus on wellbeing education and mental health first-aid, while community events emphasise inclusion and diverse opportunities to get involved,” Ms Liddy said.

“The whole community can benefit from discussions about good mental health, so we hope to see grant applications come in from every corner of Queensland.”

Queensland Mental Health Week will be held from 7-15 October, encompassing World Mental Health Day on 10 October, with the theme ‘Awareness, Belonging, Connection’.

For more information, including grant program guidelines and application information, visit www.qldmentalhealthweek.org.au.

For 24/7 crisis support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14, or the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467. In an emergency, call 000.

-ENDS-

Media enquiries:

Lisa Maynard, Marketing and Communications Manager, CheckUP
P. 07 3105 8308 E. lmaynard@checkup.org.au

Communications and Engagement team,  Queensland Mental Health Commission

P. 07 3244 9253 E. media@qmhc.qld.gov.au

Six building blocks of mental wellbeing

• Get healthy: Be active, eat well and get enough sleep.
• Keep learning: Challenge your mind and seek out new things.
• Show kindness: Giving brings joy to other people and strengthens your own mental wellbeing.
• Connect more: Develop relationships, stay connected and care for each other.
• Take notice: Be mindful. Stay in the moment. Experience the world around you.
• Embrace nature: Step outside and connect with the natural world.

Safe media reporting

Visit the Mindframe website at www.mindframe.org.au for advice on how to support safe media reporting, portrayal and communication about suicide, mental ill-health, and problematic alcohol and other drug use.

Queensland Mental Health Week grants available to connect communities and strengthen mental wellbeing

More than $100,000 worth of grants are being made available to help organisations across the state host Queensland Mental Health Week events that raise awareness of mental health, bolster belonging, and create connections.

Funded by the Queensland Government through the Queensland Mental Health Commission and administered by CheckUP, the Queensland Mental Health Week Community Events Grant Program provides the opportunity for eligible organisations to apply for up to $3000 to assist with event costs. Applications to the program opened today (26 April) and will close on Friday 26 May 2023.

Queensland Mental Health Commissioner Ivan Frkovic said it was important for everyone to take steps every day to look after their mental health and wellbeing.

“Good mental health and wellbeing boosts our resilience, helps us manage the everyday stresses of life, and benefits individuals, families and communities—but it’s something we all have to work to maintain,” Mr Frkovic said.

“The grant program enables organisations to improve mental health and wellbeing through community awareness and engagement, education and understanding, and inclusion of people living with mental health challenges along with those who support them.

“The Commission has been proud to support communities to run events during Queensland Mental Health Week over many years, and we look forward to another round of engaging activities that help people participate in, and feel connected to their communities all across Queensland.”

CheckUP CEO Ann Maree Liddy said she hoped to see grant applications come in from every corner of the state, urging non-profits, businesses and local councils in regional, rural, and remote communities to apply.

“It is also important for us to embrace diversity through valuing and supporting people with different experiences, backgrounds and cultures, so the grant program considers the needs of groups vulnerable to great risk of mental health challenges,” she said.

In 2023 Queensland Mental Health Week will be held from 7-15 October with the theme ‘Awareness, Belonging, Connection’.

Ms Liddy said the theme had resonated strongly with Queenslanders last year and that she hoped to see many organisations once again embrace the “ABCs of mental wellbeing” when planning Queensland Mental Health Week activities.

“‘Awareness, Belonging, Connection’ is simple but it covers so many of the important factors that contribute to good mental health and wellbeing. It speaks to the importance of understanding the things we need to maintain and boost our mental wellbeing, why we need to look out for one another, and the vital role connections and community play,” Ms Liddy said.

For more information, including grant program guidelines and application information, visit www.qldmentalhealthweek.org.au.

For 24/7 crisis support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14, or the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467. In an emergency, call 000.

-ENDS-

Media enquiries:

Lisa Maynard, Marketing and Communications Manager, CheckUP
P. 07 3105 8308 E. lmaynard@checkup.org.au

Communications and Engagement team, Queensland Mental Health Commission

P. 07 3244 9253 E. media@qmhc.qld.gov.au

About the theme

Awareness is about understanding the things we need to maintain and boost our mental wellbeing and knowing when we need to reach out for help and where to get it.

Belonging is about looking out for each other, ensuring we feel safe and supported, and understanding that however we feel, we’re not alone, and that there are others going through the same thing.

Connection is about our relationships with our friends, families, and those that we care about, as well as the groups, clubs, and networks around us that we rely on to help keep us happy and healthy, wherever we live, work, or play.

Safe media reporting

Visit the Mindframe website at www.mindframe.org.au for advice on how to support safe media reporting, portrayal and communication about suicide, mental ill-health, and problematic alcohol and other drug use.