Why the package matters

A strong mental health system supports people at every stage of life.

As Queensland strengthens mental health care and support, we are also investing in:

  • promoting mental health and wellbeing
  • preventing mental ill-health
  • helping people access support early.

The package focuses on everyday, non-clinical settings where people live, learn, work and connect.

How the package supports reform

The package delivers Recommendation 19 of the Inquiry into opportunities to improve mental health outcomes for Queenslanders.

It brings together time-limited funding into a single strategic investment designed to:

  • maximise impact
  • improve alignment
  • support long-term outcomes.

What the package aims to achieve

The package works with government, community and sector partners to:

  • embed mental health and wellbeing into existing programs and services
  • support coordinated local responses
  • strengthen partnerships across sectors
  • make better use of existing networks and community connections.

Current partnership initiatives

These partnerships demonstrate how mental health promotion and prevention is being embedded across sectors.

Department of Education (through Arts Queensland) – Arts and culture

Community mental wellbeing is supported through arts and cultural participation by:

  • expanding the Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) and Indigenous Regional Arts Development Fund (IRADF) partnership with local councils to support community mental wellbeing outcomes
  • establishing a Regional Arts Services Network (RASN) wellbeing advisor role to embed mental wellbeing practices and support grant recipients.

Department of Families, Seniors, Disability Services and Child Safety – Communities and families

Queensland's Social Prescribing Trial is being extended to deliver a targeted and expanded model that improves connections between community services and the mental health system.

Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) – Young people

ABC Heywire is a place-based media and storytelling initiative co-designed with regional young people. It includes:

  • grants to support local solutions to issues identified by young people
  • a Celebration Summit developed by participating young people to showcase their work and stories.

Department of Housing and Public Works (through the Office of the Queensland Government Architect) – Built environment

Projects are embedding physical and mental health and wellbeing principles into the built environment by:

  • funding local government grants to deliver demonstration projects for young people
  • refreshing QDesign principles and guidance.

Department of Primary Industries – Rural and regional communities

Mental health and wellbeing initiatives across rural and regional Queensland include:

  • workforce training that integrates mental health and wellbeing into disaster management and extension services
  • community resilience programs for rural and farming communities
  • mental health workshops and webinars for trusted agricultural advisors, extension officers and rural support networks
  • development and promotion of the Queensland-specific Managing Stress on the Farm resource
  • enhanced Business Wellness Coaching
  • activities that strengthen community connections and improve access to support.

Queensland Health – Rural and regional communities

Place-based initiatives include:

  • strengthening social and emotional wellbeing for women and girls in Western Cape York
  • providing seed funding to eligible Queensland neighbourhood centres to promote mental wellbeing in their communities
  • working with Brisbane Youth Detention Centre and Cleveland Youth Detention Centre to improve mental health, wellbeing and health literacy among young people in detention
  • partnering with local organisations in the West Moreton Hospital and Health Service region to co-design alcohol prevention solutions.

Community grants

The package includes grants to support community-led mental health and wellbeing initiatives across Queensland. Priority is given to rural and remote communities.

View Mental Health and Wellbeing Grants grant recipients.

Evidence-informed approach

The package is informed by:

Prevention United’s report Mental Health Promotion Priorities for Queensland also informs the package. It provides evidence-informed advice to support investment in mental health promotion and prevention.

Evaluation and learning

A coordinated evaluation approach will measure outcomes at the individual, community and system levels.

This will support shared learning across partners and help build the evidence base for effective mental health promotion and prevention initiatives across Queensland.

Last updated:   October 2026

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