What is Shifting minds
Shifting minds is the Queensland Government’s 5 year strategic plan for mental health, alcohol and other drugs, and suicide prevention.
It aims to prevent and reduce the impact of:
- mental ill health
- alcohol and other drug-related harms
- suicide.
Queensland's overarching mental health and wellbeing strategy
Shifting minds: The Queensland Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drugs, and Suicide Prevention Strategic Plan 2023–2028 guides coordinated action across government, communities, services and systems.
It also reflects feedback from over 640 Queenslanders. Learn more in our Renewing Shifting minds: consultation report.
Vision
Queenslanders are:
- mentally healthy and well
- connected with their communities
- supported by an integrated and coordinated mental health and wellbeing system.
Achieving this vision requires working together across government, sectors and communities, including with people with lived-living experience.
Why mental health and wellbeing matters
Mental health and wellbeing are influenced by our relationships, communities, life experiences and access to support. Most Queenslanders have good mental health and wellbeing. However, many people are affected by mental ill-health, alcohol and other drug-related harm, trauma and suicide.
- Mental ill-health costs the Australian economy $550–600 million per day
- People living with severe mental illness die 10–15 years earlier
- 1 in 4 Australian adults are lonely
- Approximately 75% of adults experience a traumatic event during their lifetime
- Almost 50% of mental disorders occur by age 14 and 75% occur before age 25
Focus areas and priorities
Shifting minds focuses on 3 areas for reform.
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1. Communities
Whole-of-community
- • Strengthen mental health and wellbeing
- • Getting in early
- • Advance First Nations health equity
2. Individuals
Whole-of-person
- • Accessible, coordinated and integrated support, care and treatment
- • Person-led, trauma-informed and culturally responsive care
- • Active social and economic participation
3. Systems
Whole-of-system
- • Shifting our approach
- • Enable change
- • Collective responsibility
Sub-plans
Shifting minds is supported by:
Progress updates
Read our progress updates on Shifting minds.
Previous plans
Shifting minds builds on the actions and achievements of previous strategic plans.