Palaszczuk Government taking action to improve rural and remote mental health

The Palaszczuk Government has today unveiled a new plan to improve the mental health and wellbeing of people living in rural and remote communities.

Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Cameron Dick said in Mount Isa today that mental health is a whole of community problem requiring a whole of government response.

“Beyond just health, rural and remote Queensland needs co-ordinated action across education, employment, housing and family support services,” he said.

“This action plan outlines how all areas of government will unite and work together to make a real difference and support Queenslanders living in rural and remote communities to reach their full potential, thrive in the face of change and cope with adversity.”

The Queensland Rural and Remote Mental Health Action Plan 2016-18 sets priorities and outlines 28 actions to improve the mental health and wellbeing of people living in rural and remote Queensland.

The Action Plan, developed by the Queensland Mental Health Commission, also identifies opportunities for partnerships with non-government organisations and communities.

Queensland Mental Health Commissioner Dr Lesley van Schoubroeck said the Action Plan had been developed based on community input.

"We recognise that each community is different," Dr van Schoubroeck said.

"Some communities are thriving, with growing economies and populations, while others are experiencing significant hardship.

"Good mental health and wellbeing for all Queenslanders is important because it enables people to take care of their own needs and be more productive and resilient in the face of challenges such as changes in life circumstances, natural disasters and drought."

In rural and remote Queensland, there is evidence of greater vulnerability to poor mental health and wellbeing, problematic alcohol and drug use, and suicide, and distance poses challenges for service delivering.

A range of actions are being progressed in response.

This includes $600,000 in grants to run 16 new projects across Queensland.

Mr Dick said accessing services in some parts of rural and remote Queensland had been identified as a barrier to improved mental health and wellbeing, and that new technologies offered an alternative to traditional service delivery.

The Action Plan includes a commitment to roll out tele-triage service (1300 MH CALL) across the state, linking individuals with mental illness, their carers, family and mental health services provided by Hospital and Health Services, seven days a week.

The Plan also includes a number of initiatives targeted at young people in rural and remote communities.

This includes funding for mobile early childhood support services in remote central and far north Queensland communities, complementing the Remote Kindergarten pilots operating across 11 remote centres.

Mr Dick said the Palaszczuk Government had already demonstrated strong commitment to improving the mental health of Queenslanders, including by introducing the bill that became the Mental Health Act 2016 and releasing the Queensland Mental Health Promotion, Prevention and Early Intervention Action Plan 2015-17.

“Our government has already undertaken some of the biggest reform to mental health in this state in more than a decade,” he said.

“The Queensland Rural and Remote Mental Health Action Plan 2016-18 marks yet another milestone and another way our government is supporting all Queenslanders to improve their mental wellbeing, wherever they live.”

ENDS

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