People at risk of suicide, mental illness, and problematic alcohol and other drug use will benefit from more than $630,000 in grants to fund community programs.
The Queensland Mental Health Commission today announced 16 grants of up to $50,000 each for initiatives that reduce stigma and increase participation in local communities.
The funding is part of the Commission’s Stronger Community Mental Health and Wellbeing Grants program, an initiative of the Queensland Mental Health, Drug and Alcohol Strategic Plan 2014-2019.
Queensland Mental Health Commissioner Ivan Frkovic said $2.51 million had been invested into better community mental health and wellbeing since 2015, with previous grant rounds delivering positive results in communities across the State.
“A common thread in the success of our grants program to date has been the delivery of innovative, evidence-based, local initiatives,” Mr Frkovic said.
“This latest round of grants continues to support broad community wellbeing initiatives as well as promote social inclusion for at-risk communities.
“Working with grassroots organisations means we can better address the individual needs of communities, to help improve the mental health and wellbeing of all Queenslanders.”
The grants further extend the Commission’s support for Wheel of Wellbeing training in a number of rural and remote communities.
Several of the grants target young people, including youth who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or intersex (LGBTI) and youth from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
Grants support culturally appropriate education for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to improve awareness and build community connections, as well as initiatives for regional and rurally isolated communities and former defence personnel experiencing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
The funded programs will be implemented over the next year.
Successful applicants: 2017-2018 Stronger Community Mental Health and Wellbeing Grants Program
|
Organisation |
Community |
Description |
Grant |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Access Community Services |
Logan |
The PAW’s and CALD Social Growth Project delivers a series of retreats and a working group focused on promoting recovery, resilience and social inclusion for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds who are experiencing mental illness. |
$25,950 |
|
Aftercare |
Brisbane |
A series of workshops will be offered by Artful Voices Hearing Voices Group for young people who hear voices. The workshops will help improve their understanding of the experience, identify needs and support options, plan for day to day situations as well as crisis situations, and make connections. |
$13,450 |
|
Dysart Community Support Group |
Dysart |
The Isaac Wheel of Wellbeing Project will train local facilitators to deliver Wheel of Wellbeing (WoW) workshops. The project further promotes and embeds the WoW framework in the region, including in communities impacted by natural events such as cyclones, droughts and floods. |
$45,987 |
|
Eacham Community Help Organisation (ECHO) |
Malanda and surrounds |
Rural Wheel of Wellbeing delivers Wheel of Wellbeing (WoW) workshops in Malanda and surrounding communities, including development of a community wellbeing work plan based on WoW principles. |
$23,179 |
|
Ferdy’s Haven Alcohol Rehabilitation Aboriginal Corporation |
Palm Island |
Say no to discrimination say yes to respect is a range of culturally appropriate education workshops, resources and community events, including information stalls, a music and dance night concert, and a healing expo to the Palm Island community. |
$45,454 |
|
Mental health Carers Arafmi QLD |
Statewide |
The Carer Peer Learning Network will establish an online Carer Peer Learning Network to share the experiences and voices of carers, develop and deliver carer peer support resources and training sessions. |
$50,000 |
|
Multicultural Centre for Mental Health and Wellbeing - Harmony Place |
Brisbane |
The Community Mental Health Advocate Project provides training and support to CALD community members and frontline staff to become Community Mental Health Advocates. The project aims to reduce stigma and other barriers for migrants and refugees seeking support for mental health issues. |
$50,000 |
|
Open Doors Youth Service |
Brisbane |
The Pride Art Therapy Program delivers an art therapy program to young LGBTI people and supports them to live healthy, empowered lives by connecting to community and culture, addressing stigma, and promoting social inclusion. |
$48,293 |
|
Phunktional |
Horn Island Thursday Island |
The Two Households: An inclusive mental health and wellbeing initiative in Far North Queensland project offers a series of performance and health and wellbeing workshops with young people. It explores themes of alcohol and other drug use, domestic violence and racial intolerance. |
$50,000 |
|
Queensland Program of Assistance to Survivors of Torture and Trauma (QPASTT) – Stronger Together |
Brisbane and Logan |
Stronger Together: Communities building inclusion and connection offers training and support for community champions from refugee backgrounds to raise community awareness and support for young people aged 12 to 25 years old from refugee backgrounds at risk of, or impacted by problematic alcohol and other drug use. It also delivers a series of community events. |
$50,000 |
|
Queensland Program of Assistance to Survivors of Torture and Trauma (QPASTT) – Youth Voice |
Greater Brisbane |
Youth Voice: Young people, belonging and wellbeing delivers a series of events with young people aged 12-25 years from diverse backgrounds to discuss social issues important to them, strengthen social inclusion and confidence to engage in discussions on social issues. |
$50,000 |
|
Red Ridge |
Central West Queensland |
Inspiration in Isolation establishes a wellbeing companion program to support a number of rurally isolated women to attend an event focused on improving mental and physical health and wellbeing, and promoting social inclusion and connections. |
$18,000 |
|
The Pharmacy Guild of Australia (Queensland Branch) |
Toowoomba, Dalby, Goondiwindi, Bundaberg |
Community Farmacy – The helping hand initiative delivers Mental Health First Aid training to community pharmacy staff and members of the farming community in four locations. This initiative aims to promote community connections and social inclusion, and reduce stigma related to mental illness. It also aims to build the capacity of community pharmacy staff to give assistance and support to people experiencing mental health issues. |
$45,420 |
|
University of Queensland |
South East Queensland |
Beyond the Reef project works with Maori and Pasifika young people to develop and perform a series of community arts activities to explore issues related to mental health and wellbeing, culture, stigma and social inclusion. |
$44,923 |
|
Wesley Mission Queensland |
Brisbane |
Stand Together is a physical activity and mindfulness program with current and former members of the Australian Defence Force who are experiencing mental health issues including depression, anxiety and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, including their partners. |
$25,649 |
|
Young People Ahead Youth and Community Service |
Mount Isa |
Peers Take Action develops a peer mentoring project for young people aged 16 to 25 in Mount Isa. The project aims to promote social inclusion, raise awareness about mental illness, problematic alcohol and other drug use and suicide, and enhance knowledge about how to access services and support. |
$50,000 |
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