By Dominique Tassell
Stanthorpe and District Men’s Shed Inc has received funding for their ‘Let’s promote good mental health’ event through this year’s Queensland Mental Health Week Community Events Grant Program.
The program this year saw a boost in funding.
In recognition of the ongoing effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, Queensland Mental Health Commissioner Ivan Frkovic said the Commission had increased its funding for the program by $18,500.
“The uncertainty and unpredictability of the pandemic, and prolonged stressors such as worries about health risks, unemployment, financial hardship and social isolation all contribute to an increased level of mental health vulnerability for Queenslanders,” Mr Frkovic said.
“This has led me to increase our pool to $118,500, which will be shared by 109 community organisations stretching from the Gold Coast north to Cairns, and across the outback.”
The program provides individual grants up to $3,000 to local government, not-for-profits, companies, community groups and schools hosting events and activities during Queensland Mental Health Week.
Many events will link with local mental health services and focus on wellbeing education, as well as incorporate this year’s theme ‘Take time – for mental health’.
Mr Frkovic said that this year “it is more important than ever for us to take time for our own mental health, learn the skills to build positive wellbeing, and to look out for those we know and love”.
“The six building blocks of our mental health and wellbeing are: get healthy, keep learning, show kindness, connect more, take notice and embrace nature.”
CheckUP CEO Ann Maree Liddy, whose organisation administers the grant program and coordinates Queensland Mental Health Week on behalf of the Commission, said the increased investment into the grant pool would benefit communities across the state.
“This year there were 229 applications from every corner of Queensland – and the judging panel was incredibly impressed by the number, quality, and calibre of events,” she said
“Grassroot events provide a focal point for awareness, education and understanding, and this funding increase will enable even more communities to host activities.”
Queensland Mental Health Week runs from 9 to 17 October. To learn more, visit www.qldmentalhealthweek.org.au.
