Queensland Mental Health Week has had a $50,000 makeover and is open for business.
A group of mental health sector partners, including Open Minds and the Queensland Mental Health Commission, has refreshed and modernised the mental health week theme, logo and website.
The new-look Mental Health Week was unveiled today at a gathering of mental health consumers, carers, family members and service providers at the Brisbane headquarter of Mental Illness Fellowship Queensland (MIFQ).
Queensland Mental Health Commissioner Dr Lesley van Schoubroeck said registrations for mental health week events were now open on the new website.
“This makeover is more than cosmetic.
“We’ve updated the whole mental health week strategy and approach, so that we can amplify our message, get more traction across the State with better promotion of events, and achieve greater outreach to the general community,” Dr van Schoubroeck said.
“The new mental health week theme, Value mental health, is a message designed to resonate with individuals, communities, service providers, workplaces and governments.
“It’s also a challenge. We must value the mental health of individuals and also appreciate the value good mental health brings to the economy,” Dr van Schoubroeck said.
Open Minds Acting Chief Executive, Marie Fox said every year community groups come up with the most creative and engaging ways to celebrate mental health week and outshine the previous year.
“We have harnessed their commitment and revitalised mental health week to reflect their energy and enthusiasm.
“This year our goal is to better support them and make sure every single event is registered and promoted on the Queensland mental health week website.”
MIFQ was a 2014 Mental Health Week Award winner, and CEO Tony Stevenson said it was an honour to be recognised in this way.
“Awards like this are welcome validation of the work we do to support people living with mental illness,” said Mr Stevenson.
MIFQ supports the rights of people affected by mental illness so they can live the life of their choice, are accepted and valued in the community, and that families and carers are supported and validated.
Their services are person-centric and include individual, carer and group support programs, accommodation and employment support, education and training, information and referral.
Mental Health Week partners include Open Minds, Queensland Alliance, MIFQ, Communify, Solas, Queensland Brain Institute, Mental Awareness Foundation, University of Queensland and Queensland Health.
The Queensland Mental Health Commission has contributed $50,000 to broaden mental health week awareness and impact.
Mental Health Week is 4-11 October 2015.
