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

We are excited to announce that the QMHW Community Events Grant Program will be opening for applications next week, on Wednesday 26 April. This program provides the opportunity for eligible organisations to apply for up to $3,000 to assist with event costs. If you are interested in learning more, we encourage you to read the grant guidelines.

In addition, we are pleased to inform you that applications to exhibit at the 2023 Recovered Futures Art Exhibition are now open. This exhibition showcases the talents of artists with lived experiences of mental health challenges while raising awareness of mental health, recovery and wellbeing.

Once you’ve locked in your event plans, we’d love to know about them. By registering your event on the QMHW website you'll be joining a statewide community and will receive your own event page. Even if you're holding a private event, we encourage you to register to show your support for mental health awareness.

Please read on for more QMHW updates and ways you can get involved in the awareness initiative. Thank you for your ongoing support!

A new psychosocial code of practice – Managing the risk of psychosocial hazards at work Code of Practice – commenced on Saturday 1 April. It is designed to empower Queensland businesses with practical information and guidance to create mentally healthy workplaces across the state.

The code, which is the first legally enforceable code of its type in Australia, will directly address psychological health risks at work which can be anything from exposure to traumatic events to remote or isolated working. The code includes advice on how to comply with existing health and safety obligations, after a national review found many employers were unsure of their duties to manage psychological health and safety risks at work. It also provides practical examples of managing psychosocial hazards in the workplace, industry-specific case studies, and a range of helpful templates that businesses can tailor to their needs.

Extensive information about the code and support for businesses is available online, including a recording of a livestream event attended by nearly 3,000 people.

• Read the Code of Practice
• Learn more about improving outcomes in the identification and management of bullying, harassment, or violence and aggression.

There are upcoming informative webinars about My Health Record for the mental health sector, hosted by Mental Health Australia in collaboration with the Australian Digital Health Agency.

For service providers: My Health Record for community mental health organisations

Webinar information session and Q&A

• Thursday 27 April, 2 - 3pm AEST | Register here

For people with lived experience, carers and support organisations: My Health Record and mental health advance directives

Webinar information session and Q&A

The same webinar will be presented across two timeslots:

• Wednesday 3 May, 11 - 11:30am AEST | Register here
• Wednesday 17 May, 6 - 6:30pm AEST | Register here

Five Queensland regions are ranked in the bottom 10 in the country for wellbeing, according to a new national index. Burnett, Caboolture, Hervey Bay, the Charters Towers-Ayr-Ingham region and Queensland's Far North are in the bottom 10 of 334 regions assessed for the wellbeing index launched last week by public policy advisors, SGS Economics and Planning. Click here to read more.

Hosted by Suicide Prevention Australia annually, the 2023 National Suicide Prevention Conference will explore the theme of Reconnect, Reform, Reshape as we emerge from the pandemic. The Conference is the first face-to-face national conference in several years and is anticipated to host 600 delegates.

Held from Monday 1 May to Thursday 4 May at the National Convention Centre Canberra, the event will enable delegates to hear from leading keynote speakers, participate in workshops and collaborate with their peers. Find out more.

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

• Read our sponsorship prospectus to get involved as an official partner in 2023.
• Learn about our valued cross-sector supporters and their involvement in our governance groups.

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