The CheckUP team celebrates Queensland Mental Health Week 2023

This is the sixth year that CheckUP have coordinated Queensland Mental Health Week (QMHW) on behalf of the Queensland Mental Health Commission and with the support of a strong cross-sector collaboration. Taking place last week from 7-15 October in 2023, Queensland Mental Health Week is an awareness week that aims to shine a spotlight on individual and community mental health and wellbeing. The theme, ‘Awareness, Belonging, Connection’, reflects the important factors that help people maintain positive mental health and wellbeing.

We’re thrilled to share that this year there was a record breaking number of events, with over 500 events officially registered on the QMHW website. As the coordinators of QMHW it was incredible to see all the creative and varied events happening across the state. Last week the CheckUP team had the pleasure of attending just a few of the fantastic QMHW events.

Here’s a snapshot of what the CheckUP team got up to during Queensland Mental Health Week 2023.

The first weekend of QMHW was a busy one for us. Some of the team attended the North Coast Aboriginal Corporation for Community Health Well Persons Health Check Day, while others kicked off the week with the Walk for Awareness.

During the week the CheckUP and Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council teams in Brisbane and Cairns held their own QMHW events, taking some time out for cupcakes, colouring and connection.

CheckUP’s Brisbane team members were lucky enough to check out a few of the local exhibitions happening around the city. We visited Out from the Mist, an international photography, music, and short film competition and exhibition. We also visited the Recovered Futures Art Exhibition in King George Square, which featured 270 amazing artworks. Both exhibitions celebrate the work of artists with lived experience of mental ill-health.

The marketing and communications team headed to Parliament House Brisbane for their QMHW event. The event was a hit, with addresses from Shannon Fentiman, Minister for Health, Mental Health and Ambulance Services and Minister for Women, and Ivan Frkovic, Queensland Mental Health Commissioner. It was fantastic to see the support for Queensland Mental Health Week from Parliament, not to mention the adorable therapy dogs!

We also had the pleasure of celebrating the remarkable achievements of organisations in the sector at this year’s Queensland Mental Health Week Achievement Awards. Congratulations to all the nominees and the finalists!

We would like to thank the Queensland Mental Health Commission and all the members of our Reference Group and Working Group — particularly our lived experience consumer representatives — for their guidance, collaboration, and support to make QMHW what it is. We would also like to acknowledge people living with mental illness or mental health challenges, problematic alcohol and other drugs use, and those affected by suicide, their families, carers and support people. We commend their resilience, courage and generosity of time and spirit in sharing their personal stories, experiences and views.

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.

Sponsor Queensland Mental Health Week 2023 and make a meaningful impact

Queensland Mental Health Week is an annual initiative dedicated to promoting positive mental health, reducing stigma, and recognizing the invaluable contributions of the mental health and community sectors. As we gear up for this year’s event, we invite you to partner with us and help make Queensland Mental Health Week 2023 a resounding success. By becoming a sponsor, your organisation can play a crucial role in increasing mental health awareness, fostering a sense of belonging, and facilitating connections across communities throughout Queensland.

Sponsorship opportunities

Our prospectus for 2023 outlines a variety of sponsorship opportunities to suit different budgets and objectives.

• Major Sponsor – $20,000 per annum (ex GST)
• Mental Health Supporter – $5,000 per annum (ex GST)
• Prize Sponsor – $1,000 per annum (ex GST)

Download the prospectus here.

We understand that every organisation is unique, so we are more than willing to work with you to customise a package that aligns with your specific needs and goals. This allows you to maximise your brand exposure while making a genuine difference in the lives of Queenslanders.

The benefits of sponsorship

By partnering with Queensland Mental Health Week, your organisation demonstrates its commitment to supporting mental health and wellbeing, a cause of increasing significance in today’s world. With almost half of all Australians experiencing a mental health condition at some point in their lives, sponsoring this initiative enables you to showcase your social responsibility while reaching a diverse audience. This audience includes mental health professionals, advocates, individuals seeking support, community group volunteers, teachers, and professionals from various sectors.

Your sponsorship not only expands the reach and impact of Queensland Mental Health Week, but can (if you choose to become a Major Sponsor) demonstrate tangible support for vulnerable and at-risk communities through contributions to the Grant Program.

By aligning your brand with this highly recognised and celebrated mental health initiative, you not only make a positive impact but also enhance your brand exposure through extensive marketing channels. These channels include social media, print and online advertising, and email newsletters.

Collaboration and tailored initiatives

As a sponsor, you will have the opportunity to collaborate with CheckUP to develop tailored content and initiatives that align with your company’s values and mission.

Join us in making a difference!

Don’t miss the chance to support this important cause and showcase your brand’s commitment to mental health and wellbeing. By sponsoring Queensland Mental Health Week 2023, you contribute to a greater awareness of mental health issues and help break down barriers in communities across Queensland.

Contact us today to discuss sponsorship options and be a part of this impactful event. Together, we can create healthier communities!

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.