$15 million to help Queensland communities tackle mental illness

The Beattie Government is partnering with community groups to tackle mental illness head on with more than $15 million awarded to organisations throughout the state.

Health Minister Stephen Robertson and Minister for Communities, Disabilities, Seniors and Youth Warren Pitt announced the funding today.

Mr Robertson said the funding would support 20 mental health programs to help people with mental illness stay out of hospital.

He said the funding – delivered over three and a half years – would be used to run mental health recovery and support programs in the community.

“Non-government groups play a vital role in the treatment and management of mental illness,” he said.

“In many cases, they are at the frontline of mental health services for the most vulnerable members of the community.

“With this funding they will provide services such as independent living support and community-based rehabilitation programs including relapse prevention and illness and medication management.

“Too often those struggling with mental illness relapse when they leave hospital.

“This program is about helping to ensure those with mental illness receive the support they need to successfully and safely transition back into society.”

Mr Pitt said the funding program was an important partnership between the Queensland Government and the non-government sector.

“It is well known that throughout Australia mental health services are experiencing unprecedented demand and some are operating under increasing pressure,” he said.

“Queenslanders rightly expect governments to do more to deal with mental health which affects as many as one in five Queensland adults.

“This funding will empower our community organisations to provide real and direct help to those who experience mental illness.”

The annual funding was awarded to:

• Wuchopperen Health Service, Cairns ($174,700) for a social end emotional wellbeing personal support program in Far North Queensland;

• Centacare Cairns ($200,000) for an Independent Living Skill and Social Support Service, Mental Health Resource Service and a one-off $9,000 grant;

• Ozcare ($1 million) for recovery programs in Mackay, Brisbane North, Bundaberg, Rockhampton and the Gold Coast;

• Royal Flying Doctor Service ($217,729) for the Mount Isa Minds: Independent Living Skills and Social Support Program and a one-off $50,000 grant;

• Supported Options in Lifestyle and Access Services ($200,000) for a Townsville recovery service and a one-off $22,000 grant;

• Centacare ($150,000) for the Maryborough and Hervey Bay Responsive Connection program and a one-off $29,480 grant;

• Choice Support Service ($217,730) for the intensive community support of choice program in Cooloola Shire and a one-off $613,000 grant;

• Redcliffe Neighbourhood Centre Association ($185,406) for an outreach recovery support program and a one-off $25,000 grant;

• Suncare Community Services ($200,000) for the Direct Respite Service Individual Recover Project on the Sunshine Coast;

• Centacare Beaudesert ($150,000) for the Beau Visions Mental Health Services;

• Centacare South Burnett ($150,000) for the Responsive Connection program and a one-off grant of $20,815;

• Richmond Fellowship Queensland ($800,000) for Independent Living Services in Toowoomba, Bayside, West Moreton and Logan-Beaudesert; and

• Stepping Stone Clubhouse ($123,000) for the Independent Living and Social Support Project.

From next year, three more organisations will come online under the program for further initiatives totalling $450,000 in Rockhampton, Gold Coast and Brisbane North.

Mr Robertson said the funding was part of the Beattie Government’s commitment to mental health which includes an additional $366 million over five years.

22 October 2006

MEDIA:       Joshua Cooney, 0409 069 056 (Mr Robertson’s Office) 
                    Joe Begley, 0408 701 379 (Mr Pitt’s Office)