MEDIA RELEASE – Offering support to people early in their distress and actively supporting mental wellbeing across the Queensland population, must be the focus of the newly established Queensland Mental Health Select Committee Inquiry into Mental Health.
The Queensland Alliance for Mental Health (QAMH) has welcomed the terms of reference for the inquiry and looks forward to submitting its proposals for systemic changes that will lead to better mental health outcomes for Queenslanders.
QAMH CEO Jennifer Black said creating opportunities for people to access community services early in their distress would help prevent more acute illness and the need for crisis driven medical responses.
“Actively helping people early in their distress will lead to better outcomes not just for individuals, but for communities, workplaces and the state economy,” Ms Black said.
“The not-for-profit community mental health sector is well-placed to offer these services, but it needs more resources to do so. The data available to us tells us that Queensland’s non-Government community mental health sector has one of the lowest funding per capita of any state or territory despite its diversity and geographical challenges.”
Ms Black also welcomed the inclusion in the terms of reference of the voice of “lived experience”; those people who have experienced mental ill-health or cared for someone who has.
“However, I am concerned the quick timing of the inquiry may not allow enough time for committee members to properly gauge the challenges specific to Queensland,” Ms Black said.
QAMH is the peak body for community-managed mental health organisations, representing more than 100 not-for-profit services that work with people experiencing mental health challenges.
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Media contact: Emma Griffiths, QAMH Director – Advocacy and Communications
T: 07 3394 8480
M: 0439 971 080
QAMH acknowledges and pays deep respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the lands and waters across Australia. We honour their Elders past and present, whose knowledge, leadership, and cultural practices have sustained these lands for millennia.