- The Crisafulli Government is delivering practical, community-led initiatives to help Queenslanders stay well and connected.
- The $9 million package delivered by the Queensland Mental Health Commission will deliver health services when Queenslanders need them.
- The Crisafulli Government is investing every dollar of the mental health levy into new and existing mental health services, after Labor failed to in their decade of decline.
The Crisafulli Government is investing $9 million to help Queenslanders stay mentally healthy and well, with practical prevention initiatives designed to strengthen resilience, connection and belonging in communities across the State. Delivered through the Queensland Mental Health Commission, the Mental Health and Wellbeing Investment Package will support initiatives that promote good mental health, address challenges earlier and help prevent people reaching crisis or needing more intensive health care.
The investment will support locally-led initiatives across arts and culture, social prescribing, rural and primary industry communities, disaster resilience, neighbourhood centres, young people and First Nations communities.
It's just one of the ways the Crisafulli Government is restoring health services when Queenslanders need them to heal Labor's Health Crisis and delivering on a commitment to invest every dollar of the Mental Health Levy into new and existing mental health services. It follows a Queensland Audit Office report which exposed ineffective governance and management of the Mental Health Levy under the former Labor Government, including funding being directed towards initiatives that did not align with the levy's intended purpose. It recognises that mental health is shaped by the places Queenslanders live, learn, work and connect, and that strong communities and social connections can play an important role in keeping people well.
Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Tim Nicholls said the Crisafulli Government was healing Labor's Health Crisis with more mental health services to support more Queenslanders.
"This is about boosting better mental health services, from prevention and early intervention through to specialist care when Queenslanders need them most," Minister Nicholls said. "We want Queenslanders to get the right support when they need it, and that means investing not only in services for people who are unwell, but in initiatives that help people stay mentally healthy and well. "This investment is about getting in earlier, strengthening resilience and social connection and helping prevent mental health challenges from escalating to the point where people need more intensive care. "Under Labor, the Queensland Audit Office exposed ineffective governance and management of the Mental Health Levy, including funding being directed to initiatives that did not align with its intended purpose. "We're fixing that by ensuring funding is directed where it can make a meaningful difference - backing practical, community-led solutions that respond to the needs of Queenslanders and their communities." Minister for Education and the Arts John-Paul Langbroek said participation in arts and cultural activities could strengthen connection and belonging. "The arts bring people together and create opportunities for Queenslanders to participate, connect and build a stronger sense of belonging," Minister Langbroek said. "This investment will support more Queenslanders, including young people and those in regional communities, to experience the wellbeing benefits that creativity and participation can provide." Acting Queensland Mental Health Commissioner Bretine Curtis said the Package would strengthen the everyday environments that support good mental health and wellbeing. "Wellbeing is shaped in our homes, schools, workplaces and communities, so these are important places to build the connections and protective factors that help keep people mentally healthy," Ms Curtis said. "This investment is about getting in early and working with communities on practical approaches that strengthen wellbeing and help prevent mental health challenges from escalating."
