MEDIA RELEASE 

At least 140,000 Queenslanders received mental health support from Community Mental Health and Wellbeing services last financial year, despite the non-government sector being severely under-funded when compared to other states and territories.

The findings have been revealed in the first ever Community Mental Health and Wellbeing Workforce Survey, coordinated by the peak body for the sector, the Queensland Alliance for Mental Health.

The responding organisations provided a diverse range of services, from individual and group support, to advocacy, family, career and crisis support and suicide prevention.

On Mental Health Week (7-15 October) QAMH is urging the State Government to recognise the increasing demand for mental health services, by funding the community sector accordingly.

“These new statistics show that non-government community services are punching well above their weight in supporting people with their mental health,” QAMH CEO Jennifer Black said. “But the community sector is working with shoestring budgets and our analysis of government funding shows it needs a 48 per cent funding boost just to bring it into line with the national per capita average.”

Surveyed organisations also said:

  • A shortage of workers was their number one workforce concern
  • Inadequate funding, worker wellbeing and insecure contracts were also significant challenges
  • The mental health lived experience workforce is one of the fastest growing areas of need

 

Further information:

To read the full survey results click here.
For more on funding click here

 

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Media contact:
Emma Griffiths
QAMH Director – Advocacy and Communications
Queensland Alliance for Mental Health
M: 0439 971 080
E: egriffiths@qamh.org.au