QAIHC has secured $200,000 in funding from Queensland Health and $100,000 from NACCHO to launch a comprehensive mental health and wellbeing support program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Queensland following the defeat of the Voice to Parliament Referendum in October.
QAIHC has identified a pressing need to address the emerging and ongoing social emotional and wellbeing challenges faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in Queensland. The “no” vote in the referendum has highlighted feelings of devastation for some, leaving communities, people and their families hurting.
The program will focus on: Member services support (e.g. community events, counselling, yarning circles), workforce and impact (professional debriefing and mental health support for ACCHO and affiliate staff), localised support (employment of local people to provide support and training to community members), community needs (identification of community needs by employing local people such as elders or young leaders to assist ACCHOs) and pathways to healing (health and wellbeing activities).
QAIHC will provide more updates as they become available.
If you or your team are feeling stressed, not sleeping well, have increased anxiety or depression, you can seek immediate help 24-hours a day, 7 days a week from: 13 YARN; Brother-to-Brother (1800 435 799),
Lifeline (13 22 14) or Kids Helpline.