On the road: connecting with Queenslanders to drive reform

Queensland’s mental health system is evolving, and together, we’re shaping what comes next.

As Commissioner, I’m very lucky to spend time in communities across the state, and have been reflecting on how to best share the great initiatives I get to be part of. Over the past few months, I’ve had the privilege of attending a range of events and gatherings focused on system reform, community-led responses and social connection.

These have explored youth mental health, carer engagement, social prescribing or shone a light on the experiences of specific populations like LGBTQIA+ Queenslanders and men’s mental health. It’s also been rewarding to see our Tracking Cube project pilot come to life Townsville.

It's tricky to fit it all in our regular State of Mind eNewsletter, so I present to you 'Commissioner’s Corner' - a chance to hear in a bit more detail about what I've been up to and highlight how collaboration and lived-living experience are helping to shape meaningful reform across Queensland’s mental health system.

Make sure to subscribe to State of Mind for regular updates but keep an eye out for Commissioner's Corner on a more ad-hoc basis.

Youth mental health

First up, at the 2025 Biennial Statewide School-Based Youth Health Conference, I joined discussions on strengthening workforce capability by sharing research, practice and programs that support young people’s health and wellbeing in schools.

Young people continue to tell us about the pressures of study, housing, finances and the toll these have on their mental health and wellbeing. They’re also clear about what needs to change:

• Make wellbeing everyone’s business, not just one office or role
• Co-design solutions with young people, not for them
• Fund wellbeing sustainably and equitably across all schools.

These insights reflect what many of us see every day, young people juggling complex challenges, waiting too long for help, and needing stronger, clearer pathways to support. Through initiatives such as the Better Futures Grants Program, the Commission is supporting youth wellbeing initiatives that test new approaches and build protective factors around young people.

Continuing this focus on youth mental health, the Commission’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Reform team had the privilege of joining the Office for Youth at the Queensland Youth Parliament Speak OUT Workshop. Here we got the chance to engage with young people around the Queensland Government's Mental Health and Wellbeing Investment package, and hear their thoughts on prevention, promotion, stigma reduction, and youth leadership.  There were lots of impressive future leaders in the room and we walked away with practical advice on the investment package priorities and guidance on how we can enable youth leadership and system-change opportunities.

Engaging with carers

Did you know that across Australia, approximately 240,000 Australians care for someone living with mental ill-health? The dollar value of the unpaid care provided by families and carers is estimated at $13.2 billion annually, which is 1.7 times the current national expenditure on all mental health services.

At the 2025 Arafmi Mental Health Carers Forum in Brisbane, I joined a panel on how Queensland can strengthen system advocacy, embrace more inclusive practices that reflect diverse carer needs, increase emotional, therapeutic, and practical support to assist carers to have opportunities to participate in the workforce. I also had the chance to take part again at Arafmi’s first ever Cairns Mental Health Carers Forum and connect with some of our Far North Queensland carers. While in Cairns I also had the chance to connect with a few initiatives funded under the Mental Health and Wellbeing Grants, and look forward to sharing a write up on these in the next Commissioner’s Corner.

Shining a light on LGBTQIA+ Queenslanders

Recently, I had the chance to join community members, advocates, service providers, and government representatives at the Carswell Forum. We spoke about the challenges LGBTQIA+ Queenslanders face, how systems can better support them, and the Queensland LGBTQIA+ Strategy and community-led solutions.

One of the key things I highlighted was that stigma remains a major barrier to access and reducing stigma is essential for early intervention, prevention, and stronger health outcomes. Inclusive systems require trauma-informed, affirming practice, building workforce capability, and better visibility of LGBTQIA+ people in data. Thanks to Brisbane Pride and Queensland LGBTQIA+ Alliance for the invite.

Embedding community wisdom

One of the real highlights for me over the past couple of months has been being able to head up to Townsville and hear updates on the Tracking Cube project. Together with members of our AOD Reform Team, I joined a community celebration in Alligator Creek, hosted by the Garbutt Magpies, to mark the local adaptation of the Tracking Cube story – Murma Yalloran and Murma Youndu (Holding Children, Holding You).

By localising the Tracking Cube model, the project supports early identification and care for children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and empowers teachers, youth workers and early educators to provide early screening and support.

In partnership with Griffith University, the Commission is helping link sectors such as early learning, education, child safety, youth justice, and healthcare to better monitor and support children’s neurodevelopmental health.

It was a day of connection, shared stories, and celebration – a reminder that community wisdom drives meaningful outcomes for children and young people.

Let’s talk about men’s mental health

Last month at the National Men’s Gathering, I also had the chance to speak about men’s mental health and work underway at the Commission under Every life, to support groups disproportionately impacted by suicide.

In 2024, 769 people lost their lives to suspected suicide, with men making up three-quarters of those deaths. Behind every number is a person who was loved and valued, and a loss that is deeply felt by their families and communities.

Some of the things I spoke about include our work to expand safe spaces for men to connect through Men’s Table, invest in research to better understand drivers of suicide in construction and fly-in/fly-out workers with Griffith University, and to enhance our reporting capability and data through our Reforming Suicide Surveillance Project.

The evidence tells us that men do seek help, and it’s about ensuring the help available is the help they truly need or want. Suicide prevention is everyone’s responsibility, and lasting change will come from compassion, collaboration, and community-led action.

Social connection in action

And finally, to finish on a positive note (pun intended), I had the absolute pleasure of joining Upbeat Arts for their new Gold Coast Choir launch and their annual Brisbane concert.

This program is truly special - it brings individuals and communities together through music, laughter and connection.

I've had the privilege of attending for many years and every year we hear moving stories from members about the positive changes the choir has made in their recovery journey — whether from mental illness, alcohol and drug challenges, or suicidal thoughts. We also hear about the friendships formed, the sense of belonging created, and the confidence that grows through weekly rehearsals and performances.

A huge thank you to Upbeat Arts for having me and if you’re interested in finding out more take a look at their website.

Looking ahead

As we continue to listen, learn, and lead alongside Queenslanders, it’s clear that meaningful reform is driven by community wisdom and connection, lived experience, and genuine collaboration.

In my next wrap up I also look forward to sharing more about my Queensland Mental Health Week activities, opportunities I’ve had to connect about the Queensland Trauma Strategy and more exciting work underway at the Commission.

Need help?

Thinking and reading about mental ill-health, alcohol and other drug use, and suicide can be distressing. If you need support, help is always available. View the full list of support services.