Queensland Mental Health Week
Queensland Mental Health Week: Connecting, Supporting, Empowering across Cultures
Every year in October, Queensland Mental Health Week (QMHW) invites all Queenslanders to pause, reflect, connect and act on mental health and wellbeing. For many communities—particularly those from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds—awareness, access, and culturally responsive support are especially critical.
In this post, we’ll explain:
What QMHW is and why it matters
Key themes and how they apply in practice
The mental health services & resource landscape in Queensland
Specific CALD-oriented resources & how to access them
Ideas and tips for involvement, community outreach, and equity
What is Queensland Mental Health Week?
Queensland Mental Health Week is a statewide awareness week that aligns with World Mental Health Day on 10 October.
It is funded by the Queensland Government through the Queensland Mental Health Commission and coordinated by CheckUP in partnership with many organisations.
Its purpose is to promote mental health and wellbeing, reduce stigma, encourage help-seeking, and celebrate the work of individuals, carers, and community sectors.
Queensland Mental Health Week includes hundreds of local events across the state—from community workshops and walking groups, to art installations, webinars, and school-based activities.
For 2025, QMHW runs from 4 to 12 October.
The theme is “Connect for mental health”, encouraging connection in four key domains: with self, with community, with others, and with nature.
Why it’s important
Mental health is universal — but the experience of distress, and the access to help, varies widely. Awareness weeks like QMHW help:
creating a shared language around mental health
Reduce isolation by showing that struggle is not shameful
encourage help-seeking, especially among people who may not otherwise know where to turn
support cross-sector partnerships (health, social services, community organisations)
draw attention to gaps—especially for underserved or marginalised populations
For CALD communities, QMHW offers an opportunity to raise awareness in culturally specific ways, reduce stigma, and ensure that supports are inclusive and accessible.
Overview of Mental Health Services & Supports in Queensland
Before diving into CALD-specific resources, it’s helpful to understand the general landscape of how mental health support is structured in Queensland.
Public, private and NGO supports
Queensland Health funds a range of programs, including inpatient care, community mental health teams, and psychosocial support delivered through non-government organisations.
For less severe or early-intervention needs, people may access GPs, psychologists or allied health professionals via Medicare Mental Health Plans (e.g. Better Access) or via primary health networks.
Community-based mental health, alcohol and other drug (AOD) services and support agencies provide wraparound supports, counselling, peer support, and psychosocial rehabilitation.
- Click Here to read about these support programs
Statewide helplines and triage
One of the most accessible first contact points is:
1300 MH CALL (1300 642 255) — a confidential mental health telephone triage service available 24/7. Callers are linked to their nearest public mental health service.
Lifeline (13 11 14)
Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800)
For Indigenous communities call 13YARN (13 92 76)
Accessing services: what to expect and common constraints
For some public mental health services, referrals may come via a GP, hospital, or self-referral via 1300 MH CALL
Wait times, catchment boundaries, and service caps are common constraints—particularly in regional Queensland
Some services may limit the number of free sessions without private insurance or may require co-contributions
Language, cultural safety, and awareness of services can be barriers for CALD communities
Importantly, regions in Central Queensland are now seeing Medicare Mental Health Centres that allow walk-in access to free assessments without referrals or appointments, helping reduce entry barriers.
CALD & Multicultural Mental Health: Barriers & Needs
For people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds, there are often additional complexities:
Common barriers
Language and communication
Lack of translated materials or interpreters
Difficulty in explaining mental health concepts that may not align with cultural beliefs
Cultural stigma and taboo
In many cultures, mental illness is strongly stigmatised, seen as “weakness,” or denied
People may avoid help-seeking for fear of shame or community judgment
Trust, familiarity, and cultural safety
Services may not be culturally competent (e.g. providers unfamiliar with cultural norms and traditions)
Lack of representation in the mental health workforce
Lack of awareness of available support
New migrants or refugees may not even know what supports exist or how to navigate the system
Reliance on community networks or alternative healing may be the first (or only) recourse
Structural and resource issues
Transport, financial cost, insurance or eligibility barriers
Visa status, social isolation, and language skill challenges
Given all these, dedicated CALD mental health work is essential to ensure equity.
CALD Resources in Queensland & How to Access Them
QMHW and its partners have made concerted efforts to provide CALD-friendly resources and initiatives. Below are important existing supports and tips on how to access or promote them.
Translated QMHW Resources
The QMHW website includes a CALD resources section featuring translated versions of awareness materials (posters, digital graphics, fact sheets) in multiple languages.
These translations help communities share mental health awareness in their native or preferred language, making messaging more accessible.
Organisers, community groups and multilingual service providers can download and distribute these for community events, social media, schools, etc.
CALD-specific QMHW events & workshops
For example, in 2025 there is an event in Townsville celebrating mental health among CALD communities, with workshops delivered both in English and in participants’ mother tongue. Read more here.
Multicultural & Interpreter Supporting Services
To complement QMHW-specific resources, here are some broader supports that serve CALD communities:
Many mental health services across Queensland use interpreting services (face-to-face, phone or video) — ask providers whether an interpreter can be arranged
Multicultural health services in local health districts or local councils often have staff or programs bridging language and cultural gaps
Local migrant resource centres, settlement services, or multicultural organisations are excellent partners for outreach, translation or liaison
Some community mental health or counselling providers specialise in multicultural or refugee support
Use directories like the Queensland Multicultural Assistance Program or local health district multicultural units
For national support, services like Multicultural Australia might provide or link to mental health support
How to access, promote, and build awareness
If you are an individual, community worker or organisation, here’s how to make use of CALD mental health resources more effectively:
Audit your community needs
Identify major languages spoken, cultural groups in your area
Engage trusted community leaders or bicultural workers
Use translated materials early
Place flyers, posters, and digital translations in community centres, places of worship, and language schools
Use social media channels in community languages
Host bilingual or cross-cultural events
Provide interpreters, bilingual facilitators, or partner with bilingual organisations
Use culturally appropriate metaphors, storytelling, or art to bridge understanding
Train your staff or volunteers
Cultural competency training, awareness of stigma in different cultures
Use simple language, avoid jargon
Promote service navigation help
In translated materials, include contact info for interpretation or CALD-friendly services
Help community members call services like 1300 MH CALL and ask for translation support
Evaluate and ask for feedback
After events, ask participants whether language, culture, or misunderstanding impeded engagement
Adjust next time
How To Access Key Resources During QMHW (and Beyond)
Here are concrete steps individuals or groups can take to link into support and awareness during Queensland Mental Health Week (and year-round):
Browse Events to find local happenings you can attend or support.
Download Resources and CALD translations for distribution.
Learn the theme & messaging to link your event or campaign.
Use 1300 MH CALL as a gateway
If unsure where to start, call 1300 MH CALL (24/7) to be triaged into appropriate local public mental health care.
Ask the staff there about available interpreting or CALD-friendly services
Contact multicultural / CALD support organisations
Local migrant resource centres, multicultural organisations, and settlement services are often bridges to mental health support and translation
Ask if they host or know of CALD mental health programs
Work with your GP / primary care provider
GPs can refer you to psychologists, psychiatrists, or public mental health teams
During the referral, state your language or cultural needs so interpreters or culturally appropriate providers can be matched
Participate in or host local events
Join existing QMHW events or host your own (e.g. workshops, art, walking groups)
Use translated promotional materials, invite translation support, and partner with community groups
Leverage digital/online resources
Many mental health organisations provide fact sheets, videos, forums, and translated content online (e.g. ReachOut, headspace)
Share these resources in community social media groups
Feedback and advocacy
After you use a service, provide feedback about cultural safety, language accessibility
Advocate for more funding and development of CALD mental health services
Challenges & Opportunities Going Forward
While efforts are being made, the work is far from complete. Some challenges that remain:
Ensuring consistency and sustainability of CALD mental health support—not just during awareness weeks
Scaling, interpreting and translation services across all mental health providers
Building cultural competence across the mental health workforce
Reaching newly arrived or hidden communities where trust and awareness are low
Ensuring mental health funding models account for additional costs (interpreters, bilingual staffing)
On the opportunity side:
QMHW gives a visible platform to advocate for more inclusive services
The growing recognition and establishment of accessible services (like Medicare Mental Health Centres) help lower entry barriers.
Community-based, culturally tailored initiatives can create sustainable bridges between mental health services and diverse communities
Partnerships across health, multicultural services, community organisations and academia can amplify reach
Final Thoughts & Call to Action
Queensland Mental Health Week is far more than a “week of awareness.” It’s a moment to strengthen connection—across differences, across cultures, across communities. For CALD communities, it’s a chance to have mental health conversations in their own languages, in culturally safe ways, and to bridge gaps in access and trust.
If you’re reading this and interested in making a difference, consider:
Hosting or supporting a CALD-aware mental health event during QMHW
Sharing translated QMHW resources in your community
Connecting local multicultural organisations with mental health providers
Advocating for better funding, translation, and cultural competence in mental health services
Encouraging individuals to call 1300 MH CALL, ask for translators, and access support without shame