Enhancing services to address community needs in Mental Health, Substance Use, and Suicide Prevention.
Country to Coast, QLD is working with local health partners, community members and health care providers to design a new model of service delivery for primary care mental health and wellbeing services.
Our vision is to establish a person-centered system, where every individual in the region, particularly those with the most significant needs, can access timely, appropriate care and have a voice in determining the types of services available.
Our investment in mental health, alcohol and other drugs, and suicide prevention services has been increasing year on year, though health needs data indicates that our communities still face significant issues.
Across our region, rates of mental health, suicide and substance use disorders are higher than the state and national average, with extensive impacts on families and carers, and our healthcare services.
- In the past six years, though total funding has increased 24% from 2017/2018 to 2023/2024, the prevalence of mental and behavioural conditions is notably higher in our region (23,056 per 100,000) compared to Australian averages (20,084 per 100,000).
- Our regional population has higher rates of alcohol consumption and related hospitalisations, coupled with significantly higher hospitalisation rates for intentional self-harm, than state and national averages.
- Rates of illicit drug use are significant.
Central Queensland, Wide Bay, and Sunshine Coast regions also face unique challenges in addressing mental health, suicide and substance use disorders, due to geographical diversity, demographic composition, industry variations, and healthcare system dynamics.
- The broad regional footprint can make it difficult to access services, especially in remote and rural areas.
- Our priority populations of First Nations communities and youth require tailored approaches to service delivery.
- Varied industries across our region, including mining, agriculture, and tourism, influence the mental health and wellbeing of the workforce and communities that support them.
- Differences in income and socio-economic status can affect access to healthcare.
These factors are driving our reform efforts to boost early intervention and prevention pathways and ensure community-based treatment services respond to local needs.
Responding to the challenges of our region requires us to think differently about the types of services we need and how they are delivered. We are working closely with health providers and community members, including people with lived experience, to identify issues with current services and how people can more easily access the support they need.
Project stages
Our goal with this reform is to make real, lasting changes in the way we approach mental health and substance use in our community. Here's what we're working towards:
Objectives
Address social determinants
Approach
Consider the underlying factors like housing, employment, and social connections that impact mental health.
Strategies for Achievement
- Collaborate with non-health sector stakeholders
- Implement community development projects
Enhance service integration
Approach
Ensure seamless collaboration between various mental health, suicide prevention, and substance use services.
Strategies for Achievement
- Develop integrated care pathways
- Facilitate cross-sector partnerships and data sharing agreements
Improve accessibility and affordability
Approach
Make mental health, suicide prevention, and AOD services more accessible and affordable in the community.
Strategies for Achievement
- Expand community-based services
- Implement subsidised or free services for those in need
Raise quality and safety
Approach
Improve the quality, safety, and capacity of mental health and suicide prevention services.
Strategies for Achievement
- Adopt evidence-based practices
- Train communities and the workforce in quality and safe practices
Ensure timely and appropriate care
Approach
Ensure individuals receive the right care at the right time and in the right place.
Strategies for Achievement
- Develop a stepped care model
- Increase outreach and early intervention and prevention programs
Support recovery from substance use
Approach
Reduce the impact of substance use on individuals, families, and communities.
Strategies for Achievement
- Provide comprehensive recovery programs
- Support family and community education initiatives
Promote independence
Approach
Support independent living for people with severe mental illness.
Strategies for Achievement
- Purpose built psychosocial services
- Offer vocational training and employment support
Reduce suicide and self-harm
Approach
Implement regional services with a focus on growing the capability of the sector and community to recognise and respond to suicide risk.
Strategies for Achievement
- Enhance crisis intervention services
- Invest in post-intervention support programs
Build resilience and wellbeing
Approach
Improve individual and community resilience and overall wellbeing.
Strategies for Achievement
- Implement community wellbeing programs
- Promote mental health literacy and self-care practices
Focus on high-risk groups
Approach
Target interventions towards groups at highest risk of suicidal behaviour.
Strategies for Achievement
- Develop targeted support services for high-risk groups
- Conduct community outreach and engagement initiatives
Foster collaboration and coordination
Approach
Enhance program and policy coordination through partnerships.
Strategies for Achievement
- Establish multi-sectoral oversight and accountability structures
- Coordinate or commission collaborative forums and workshops
Implement structural interventions
Approach
Conduct long-term structural changes in areas of greatest need.
Strategies for Achievement
- Advocate for policy changes
- Invest in infrastructure and resource development in underserved areas
FAQ
