News • 22 Oct 2019

Introducing QAMH – sponsor for QLD Mental Health Week Achievement Awards

The Queensland Alliance for Mental Health (QAMH) once again sponsored the Queensland Mental Health Week Achievement Awards for 2019 and donated a cash prize to the winner of the Jeff Cheverton Individual Award, James Hill. Find out more about the Alliance and their mission to be the voice of mental health communities in Queensland.

Introducing Queensland Alliance for Mental Health

Queensland Alliance for Mental Health (QAMH) is a peak body representing the community mental health sector in Queensland. We work to promote the values and professionalism of our members by focusing on outcomes, building partnerships, carving a role for community mental health in the health care continuum, and promoting the meaningful integration of community mental health services into the broader health system.

QAMH is a member of Community Mental Health Australia (CMHA), a coalition of eight state and territory peak bodies representing community mental health organisations. Through CMHA, QAMH is also able to influence the national policy debate and advocate on behalf of our members through federal networks.

We represent and support services and groups that meet the needs of people who have lived experience with mental health issues, their friends, family and carers through our advocacy for the community mental health sector.

Find out more about QAMH here >

What is the mission / purpose of your organisation?

QAMH’s mission is to be the voice of mental health communities in Queensland, creating connections, providing leadership and supporting better outcomes.

How/why/when did your organisation begin?

In the 1980s, the need for a state-wide peak body was identified by non-government organisations and groups that were working in the mental health sector for the purpose of representing their common interests. 

QAMH was formed in 1999 following a referendum of members and a special general meeting. At that time, we were incorporated as the Queensland Alliance of Mental Health and Psychiatric Disability Groups Inc.

Tell us about the services you provide?

As a Queensland peak body, we represent the state’s community mental health sector’s collective voices, as well as provide timely, researched advice and advocacy to our stakeholders. 

Tell us a bit about your organisation’s key goals for this year? 

Our priority is to act in our members’ best interests and ensure that QAMH continues to influence and inform decision makers at a local, state and federal level for the sustainable future of the community mental health sector. 

Why is your organisation committed to reducing stigma around mental health?

We are committed to calling out stigma and discrimination for anyone who has experienced mental illness. We stand that stigma should no longer ignored, expected and accepted.

Why have you chosen to sponsor the QLD Mental Health Week Achievement Awards?

Over the last few years, QAMH has chosen to sponsor the Individual Achievement Award Category in honour of the late Jeff Cheverton, QAMH’s Chief Executive Officer from 2004 to 2012. 

The award honours Jeff’s passion and dedication to mental health, as well as the change and influence his leadership provided to QAMH. Jeff was a courageous and determined leader, with a passion for social justice and inclusiveness.

We believe that the recipient of this award will embody all the things that Jeff believed in, as a strong and effective advocate for the mental health sector. 

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