QLD Mental Health Week

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5 - 13 October 2024

April eNews

Welcome to the April edition of the Queensland Mental Health Week (QMHW) eNews!

Queensland Mental Health Week (QMHW) 2024 is less than six months away. With the grant program and event registrations now open, it's time to get planning!

This edition will cover the QMHW Grant Program, how to plan and register an event, news about some major QMHW events, wellbeing resources, and more.

Apply for a grant now

The QMHW Community Events Grant Program is open for applications until Friday 17 May! There is $100,000 of grant funding to be distributed to organisations across Queensland to subsidise QMHW event costs. You can apply for $500 to $2,000 depending on the size of your proposed event. Community organisations, charities, local councils, sports clubs, school P&Cs, workplaces, and more are encouraged to apply!

Read more on the QMHW website and then apply below.

Connect for mental health

The theme for Queensland Mental Health Week 2024 is “Connect for mental health”, emphasising the proactive measures we can adopt to nurture and support positive mental health and wellbeing for ourselves and our communities. Queensland Mental Health Week provides an opportunity for all Queenslanders to consider and connect with the people and communities that they rely on to help them be mentally healthy, through a range of events and activities.

Artist applications open for the Recovered Futures Art Exhibition!

As the proud host of the Recovered Futures Art Exhibition, RFQ is thrilled to announce that applications to exhibit are now open.

A mainstay on the Brisbane art calendar and major Queensland Mental Health Week event, the Recovered Futures Art Exhibition showcases the talents of artists with lived mental health experience while raising awareness of mental health and wellbeing.

Artists are invited to complete an application before Sunday 9 June.

Registrations are now open for the 2024 Walk for Awareness! Get in early to make sure you're registered for the BIGGEST walk for mental health - 9kms around the Brisbane River or participate and walk from anywhere! The 2024 Walk for Awareness will be held on Sunday October 6, 2024.

Plan your event

Get prepared to host a Queensland Mental Health Week event by downloading our Event Starter Kit.

From initial brainstorming to on-the-day tips, this kit is your guide to hosting a QMHW event.

Download

Registrations are open for Queensland Mental Health Week events. Officially registering your event comes with a range of benefits, including having your own page on our website, use of the QMHW logo, the option to be mentioned in our communications, and public events will appear on our event map.

Last chance to submit an affirmation

We've been collecting affirmations from all across Queensland. Soon they'll be turned into a brand new deck of affirmation cards available for download. If you have a favourite affirmation or mantra, now's your last chance to share it with the rest of the state in our 2024 affirmation card deck.

Submit affirmation

Resources for small businesses

Owning and running a small business can be challenging. Looking after your mental health and wellbeing is important to be able to work productively and achieve business and personal goals.

Check out this list of of mental health resources for small business owners from Business Queensland.

See resources

People Like You podcast

In partnership with Mindframe, SANE have released their new podcast, 'People Like You'.

Join host Cameron Solnordal as he explores the real-life experiences of individuals navigating mental illness. The podcast features stories that challenge stigma and inspire hope.

Find out more

Green thumbs up

Nature can positively impact your wellbeing, but adding friendly, like-minded people to the mix can bring it to a whole new level. Community garden groups are a great example of this, so get your gloves on and connect!

Brisbanites can use the link below to search for their local group.

Find a group

Mental Health Resources

The 'Find help' page on our website links to helpful websites covering 24/7 help lines, gambling assistance, relationships, eating disorders, parenting and more.

If you need immediate support, Lifeline (13 11 14) and the Suicide Call Back Service (1300 659 467) are available 24/7. In an emergency, call 000.

Visit website

Research highlights how neighbourhood connection improves mental health

University of Queensland research has found building a sense of community is key to improving people’s mental health, particularly in low socio-economic suburbs.

Professor Alex Haslam from UQ’s School of Psychology is part of a research team that modelled the effect of social and psychological factors, and identified a strong but complex link between where people live and their mental health. While disadvantaged areas tend to have worse mental health than advantaged areas, it's not the only factor.

“We found people tend to have greater resilience when they feel part of a community, which can prevent symptoms of depression and reduce stress and anxiety,” Professor Haslam said.

Read the full article on the UQ website.

Queensland Mental Health Week and CheckUP logos side by side

Funded by the Queensland Mental Health Commission, Queensland Mental Health Week is coordinated by CheckUP and delivered through strong cross-sector collaboration.

We respectfully acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we work and live and recognise their continuing connection to the land, water, and community. We pay respect to Elders past and present and future leaders.

We also acknowledge people living with mental health challenges, problematic alcohol and other drugs use, as well as those impacted by suicide, their families, carers and support people.

24/7 Crisis Helplines

If you need immediate support, Lifeline (13 11 14) and the Suicide Call Back Service (1300 659 467) are available 24/7. In an emergency, call 000.

Contact CheckUP

Email: info@qldmentalhealthweek.org.au
PO Box 3205, South Brisbane Queensland 4101