STRONGER TOGETHER: IMPACT Joins QAMH's Plea for Better Mental Health Funding

"STRONGER TOGETHER" is a weekly column where Tanya explores key issues. This week Tanya discusses the urgent need for increased funding for community-based mental health services in Queensland to address the growing demand and prevent crises.

By IMPACT Community Services Managing Director Tanya O'Shea

As the Managing Director of IMPACT Community Services, I have witnessed the profound struggles facing individuals in our community when it comes to mental health. The increasing demand for community-based mental health support in Queensland is undeniable, yet the resources available to meet this need are woefully inadequate. Queensland’s community-based mental health sector remains one of the lowest funded in the country, leaving too many of our residents without the help they desperately require.

At IMPACT, we are on the frontline, providing essential services that make a real difference in people’s lives. Our programs, which are often led by peer support workers with lived experience, offer empathetic and immediate care to those who need it most. These services are not just beneficial; they are vital in preventing mental health crises and helping individuals rebuild their lives, whether that means securing employment, reconnecting with loved ones, or simply regaining a sense of normalcy.

However, despite our proven ability to deliver these critical services, we are constrained by inadequate funding. This lack of resources can delay essential support for those in need, sometimes with devastating consequences. It is clear that while clinical care is crucial, community-based services like ours play an equally important role in the mental health landscape.

This is why IMPACT Community Services is standing with the Queensland Alliance for Mental Health in advocating for greater funding for community mental health support. We fully endorse their call for an additional $150 million in recurrent state funding, which would ensure that all Queenslanders can access the care they need within their own communities.

With the upcoming state election, we urge local candidates, Ms Bree Watson (LNP for Bundaberg) and Mr Tom Smith MP (Member for Bundaberg - Labor), to commit to this essential funding. Too many Queenslanders are slipping through the gaps. The time for action is now. By investing in community-based mental health services, we can prevent crises, support recovery, and ultimately, save lives. Together, we can make a difference. I encourage everyone to join us in this crucial campaign.