The State Government had budgeted to spend $6.9 million over four years to tackle mental health issues among Indigenous youth.
Treasurer Jackie Trad said the initiatives to address youth mental health and suicide would be community-led.
“It’s heartbreaking that young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Queenslanders are more likely to experience challenges with mental health and to die by suicide,” Ms Trad said.
“The death of a young person is a devastating tragedy for family and impacts on entire communities.
“We know that individual communities understand their young people better than anybody else and that’s why the Palaszczuk Government will partner with families and local leaders to help find solutions.
“The $6.9 million we’re investing will deliver community-identified initiatives for better mental health and well-being outcomes for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Queenslanders when and where they’re needed.”
Ms Trad said $1.9 million would also be allocated over four years to implement the State Government’s “Framework for Action – Reshaping our Approach to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Domestic and Family Violence”.
Other Budget initiatives include:
- $4.5 million over three years to Former Origin Greats Queensland to expand the Achieving Results Through Indigenous Education, ARTIE Academy into 20 primary schools
- $2.4 million over four years to continue to support community safety in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and reduce alcohol-related harm
- $674,000 in 2019-20 to nurture traditional languages and dialects with the development of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Languages Policy
- $9.1 million over three years for reforming participation and decision-making, and improving life outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Queenslanders through co-designed local, regional and state-wide initiatives
- Increasing procurement from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-owned businesses
