Mental health affects every aspect of an individual’s life, as well as that of their family and community.
Mental illness is recognised as one of Australia’s most prevalent chronic diseases — nearly one in two people will experience mental health difficulties in their lifetime.
Addressing Queenslanders’ mental health needs is a top priority for the Queensland Government.
Mental Health Week (9–15 October 2011) was an opportunity to break through the myths and misconceptions regarding mental health, and increase awareness about
the stigma associated with it.
Now is the time to be delivering more innovative and effective services.
That’s why in 2011-12 we have injected a record $1 billion in mental health services — the most in Queensland’s history.
To Queenslanders with mental ill-health and their families: know that you’re not alone — there is someone to turn to.
Hon. Curtis Pitt
Minister for Disability Services and Mental Health
Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships
As we head in to summer, it’s timely to revisit the On the Same Wave program that provides beach and water safety classes to people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
The program, run by Surf Life Saving Queensland, covers the importance of learning to swim, identifying warning signs, rips and currents, sun safety, being safe around inland waterways, and the all important ‘swim between the flags’ message.
The Queensland Government is proud to have provided $220,000 to Surf Lifesaving Queensland since 2010 for the On the Same Wave program, which has helped more than 59,000 young people to stay safe.
As highlighted in this edition, some young people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds have taken their beach safety skills a step further — joining the Southport Surf Lifesaving Club as lifesavers. Well done!
Hon. Annastacia Palaszczuk
Minister for Transport
Minister for Multicultural Affairs
The days are longer, the weather is warmer and now is the perfect time to get up, get out, and get active.
All it takes is 30 minutes of activity a day and you will start to feel and see a difference in your health and wellbeing.
Regardless of your age or ability, you can make healthy choices and be more active every day.
So put away your winter woollies and enjoy a walk in the fresh spring air. Walking is one of the best ways to find your 30 minutes of daily activity.
For more great tips and tools to help you maintain a healthy lifestyle through the spring months, visit www.communities.qld.gov.au/sportrec.
Or visit www.healthier.qld.gov.au/healthy-living/fitness to do one of our fitness quizzes, check out some of our exercise programs or explore healthy recipe ideas.
Hon. Phil Reeves
Minister for Child Safety
Minister for Sport
People do not expect or plan to become homeless — just ask those who were displaced during the summer of natural disasters.
Every Queenslander is entitled to feel safe and secure and have hope for the future. That’s why the Queensland Government has invested $107.2 million in homelessness services, including $55.8 million across Brisbane, Cairns, Mt Isa, Rockhampton and Townsville to address homelessness ‘hot spots'.
We’ve built more than 5200 new units of social housing since 2008 and 'Common Ground', an exciting model of accommodation and on-site support for a mix of the homeless and low income households, is underway in South Brisbane.
Thanks to this record investment, Queensland is on track in the quest to half homelessness by 2020.
Hon. Karen Struthers
Minister for Community Services and Housing
Minister for Women
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