Submissions

Inquiry into the Opportunities to Improve Mental Health Outcomes for Queenslanders

In 2022, the Queensland Government’s Mental Health Select Committee conducted a systemic review of the mental health system in Queensland. QAMH’s submission is a broad-ranging document, based on extensive consultation with the Community Mental Health and Wellbeing Sector. It seeks to bring together all the frustrations and barriers encountered by the sector, as well as proposing cost-effective and achievable reform opportunities. In this submission, QAMH highlights the need for:

• Fundamental reform in Queensland’s mental health system, including a pivot to a whole-of-community wellbeing approach
• Co-designed community alternatives to emergency departments for those experiencing acute crisis
• Additional funding to address the missing middle
• Investment in the development of a contemporary, skilled and sustainable community mental health and wellbeing workforce
• Significant investment in research and evaluation
• Whole-of-government approach to supporting people with mental illness including housing, employment, legal issues, family support and alcohol and drug challenges
• A review of the reporting relationships for the Queensland Mental Health Commission to allow more independence