$130,000 grants promote mental health and wellbeing

Media release
26 September 2023
For immediate distribution

Communities from Stanthorpe to Quilpie and all the way up to Badu Island will benefit from $130,000 grant funding for Queensland Mental Health Week 2023.

A record-breaking 157 events across Queensland will be supported by the Queensland Mental Health Week Community Events Grant Program, with grants ranging from $500 to $3,000.

Funded by the Queensland Government through the Queensland Mental Health Commission and administered by CheckUP, the grant program supports Queensland Mental Health Week events that raise awareness of mental health, increase understanding of mental illness, and reduce stigma.

Queensland Mental Health Commissioner Ivan Frkovic said Queensland Mental Health Week is an important annual event that raises awareness of mental health and provides an opportunity for Queenslanders to consider their wellbeing.

“Over 40 percent of Australians are estimated to have experienced a mental disorder at some time in their life, with one in five people experiencing a mental health disorder in the previous 12 months*,” Mr Frkovic said.

“The COVID-19 pandemic, recent natural disasters and the current economic climate make people more susceptible to mental ill-health, so it’s more important than ever to take steps every day to look after our wellbeing.”

“Queensland Mental Health Week reaches into communities across Queensland and gives us all the chance to take stock how we’re going connect with our loved ones, community or colleagues.”

“The theme ‘Awareness, Belonging, Connection’ captures some of the elements that help us build our wellbeing and I’m pleased to see so many events throughout the state bringing these ideas to life,” Mr Frkovic said.

“Funded activities this year wellbeing expos, art exhibitions, workshops, festivals, community walks and more, with many events linking with local mental health services.”

CheckUP CEO Ann Maree Liddy said the organisation received 261 eligible applications and were pleased to see an increase in event proposals from regions all across the state. “We are excited by the calibre and creativity of events approved for funding that promise to attract community involvement in Queensland Mental Health Week and promote individual and community mental health in ways and settings appropriate and meaningful to each community,” Ms Liddy said.

“The grant funding helps offset event expenses, such as fees for engaging specialists and the purchasing of workshop supplies, so communities can host more informative and effective events.”

Ms Liddy said there are many ways people can participate in Queensland Mental Health Week, including hosting or attending an event, wearing merchandise, and starting conversations on mental health.

“You can get inspired with ideas on how to host an event, download resources to assist with planning, and look up events in your local area on the Queensland Mental Health Week website,” she said.

Queensland Mental Health Week will be held from 7–15 October 2023, encompassing World Mental Health Day on 10 October, with the theme ‘Awareness, Belonging, Connection’.

For more information visit https://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.

Mental health statistics

*Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2023). Prevalence and impact of mental illness. Retrieved from https://www.aihw.gov.au/mental-health/overview/mental-illness.

Safe media reporting

Visit the Mindframe website at https://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.

Media enquiries

David Millichap, General Manager – Engagement & Workforce, CheckUP

P. 07 3105 8300 E. dmillichap@checkup.org.au

Communications and Engagement team, Queensland Mental Health Commission

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

Funded events

For a full list of successful grant recipients from the 2023 Queensland Mental Health Week Community Events Grant Program, please see the full media release PDF here.

Applicants should email info@qldmentalhealthweek.org.au if they have any enquiries.