Miles Doing What Matters: $9m grants to boost community mental health and wellbeing

• The Miles Government’s new $9 million Mental Health and Wellbeing grants program is now open, with $150,000 available to applicants
• These grants embrace a community-led approach to promote and support mental health and wellbeing
• Miles Government urges community to check in on dads, brothers, mates this Father’s Day

Premier Steven Miles has today announced a $9 million package of mental health and wellbeing grants to help drive community-led solutions.

The grants program, delivered by the Queensland Mental Health Commission, will help organisations implement local projects and initiatives that respond to the unique needs of their local community.

Eligible applicants will be able to apply for up to $150,000 for initiatives and activities that:

• support and promote mental health and wellbeing
• prevent mental ill health by enhancing protecting factors and reducing risk factors
• encourage early help-seeking, or
• improve mental health, wellbeing, alcohol and other drugs, or suicide prevention literacy and understanding.

The grants will build on existing community strengths, abilities and knowledge to develop and implement innovative solutions that meet diverse local needs.

This investment is part of the Miles Government’s record $1.94 billion Better Care Together plan to improve mental health, alcohol and other drug services across the state.

The announcement comes as Queensland celebrate Father’s Day.

While it’s an opportunity to celebrate the important role that fathers and father figures play in our lives, the Miles Government is this year encouraging everyone to check in on their fathers, brothers and mates’ mental wellbeing.

Men make up more than three quarters of suicidal deaths in Australia and there are six male suicides every day.

Through the Better Care Together plan, the government is delivering initiatives to improve men’s mental health. 

The annual grants program will initially run for three years, with the latest round open until October 2.

More information can be found HERE.

Quotes attributable to Premier Steven Miles:

“A community-led approach can often be the most effective as they live and breathe their neighbourhood and understand the issues they face.

“That’s why these grants are so valuable and are only possible thanks to my government’s record 1.94 billion Better Care Together plan.

“Investing in and talking about mental health and well-being is important to Queensland and it’s important to me.

“And there is no better time to talk about it than today, on Father’s Day.

“While it’s an occasion to celebrate the special men in our lives, I think it should also be a time to check in.

“Men continue to experience disproportionately high rates of suicide.

“And while we have come a long way in breaking the stigma of ‘men don’t talk’ there is still much to do.

“It’s why I will continue to do what matters to Queensland by investing in services to improve mental health, alcohol and other drug services across the state.”

Quotes attributable to Mental Health Minister Shannon Fentiman:

“No one knows what’s best for a community more than the people who live there.

“These grants are a fantastic opportunity for our grassroots community organisations to make real change in their local area.

“The Miles Government is absolutely committed to investing in initiatives that promote and improve mental health and wellbeing of Queenslanders right across the state.

“Positive mental health and wellbeing not only benefits the individual but also helps to build stronger relationships with family, friends and colleagues.

“Importantly, the right support can ensure we are able to cope when life throws its inevitable challenges at us.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for community groups and organisations to come up with some innovative solutions to improve the mental health and wellbeing of their local community.”

Quotes attributable to Queensland Mental Health Commissioner Mr Ivan Frkovic:

“This grant initiative highlights the importance of promotion, prevention and early intervention to support the mental health and wellbeing of Queenslanders.

“The Mental Health and Wellbeing grants are open to diverse and innovative proposals that enhance the mental health and wellbeing of our communities and the people who live in them.

“It’s one of the Commission’s many initiatives to improve mental health and wellbeing outcomes for all Queenslanders.

“I look forward to putting the grants into action and creating a Queensland where the practice of mental health and wellbeing activities is part of every Queenslander’s daily life.” 

ENDS