Community based mental health programs are a vital part of helping people with their mental health and wellbeing.

The Queensland Alliance for Mental Health (QAMH) launched a campaign on Monday 19 August in the lead up to the state election. The promotional mix includes a broad range of digital and broadcast media.

QAMH has stressed a need for an additional $150 million recurrent funding to ensure all Queenslanders can access the care that they need within their own communities.

“Community based mental health services provide practical supports for people to manage the impacts of illness, and they provide opportunities to re-establish skills lost, such as employment, education, leisure, social relationships and connection with community,” CEO of the Queensland Alliance for Mental Health Jennifer Black said.

“We are currently waiting for the release of a national report which will quantify the gap in these types of supports across Australia. We know that compared to other Australian States and Territories, Queensland’s investment in these crucial services is alarmingly low.”

QAMH Board Chair Cathy O’Toole said, “Currently too many Queenslanders are unable to access this type of care, slipping through the gaps and placing increased pressure on our already strained hospital system.”

QAMH’s latest state budget analysis found that an additional $150 million in state funding is needed to bridge the gap in state-funded community based mental health supports for people with severe and complex mental illness.

The time for action is now: QAMH calls on all parties to invest in community based mental health services in this election and save lives.

These services offer practical supports to manage the impacts of illness, and provide opportunities to re-establish skills lost such as employment, education, leisure, social relationships and connection with their chosen communities.

With the right support, Queenslanders can flourish. But unfortunately, our community based mental health sector is one of the lowest funded in Australia, leaving too many people struggling to get the help they desperately need.

Which means too many Queenslanders are slipping through the gaps.

Tell your MP to save lives by properly funding community based mental health services. Visit https://fundcommunitymentalhealth.com.au

Support our campaign to ensure Queenslanders can access local community mental health support, when and where they need it.

The campaign ends on Thursday 19 September 2024.