Queensland Mental Health week is October 4-11 and takes place in the week of the World Mental Health Day, which is marked each year on October 10.

With around 900,000 Queenslanders living with mental illness of differing types and severity, it is a chance to reflect on mental health and take some positive steps to highlight the importance of mental wellbeing.  This year, the theme in Queensland is “value mental health”.

As the Palaszczuk Government unveils a plan for early action on mental health, Douglas Shire Community Services were at Cooya Beach today celebrating mental wellness with a beach barbecue.

Michelle Leenders the Support Facilitator of FNQ Partners in Recovery together with members from the Mossman Community Centre, Mossman Hospital, Totally Timber celebrated with members of the community with a well catered lunch and a game of cricket.

In trying to identify someone with mental illness the signs are evident.

“We all have mental health, it is either good mental health or it’s bad mental health,” said Ms Leenders.

“The signs of those suffering a mental illness is depression, anxiety, a change in day to day activities, changes in behaviour, using drugs or alcohol, it could be trigged by an event.  Things become so overwhelming they just can’t snap out of it,” she said.

With a stigma and social prejudices still being attached to mental illness, living with a mental health issue can be lonely.  Sharing stories helps and talking about it with someone is one of the first steps towards improving wellbeing.

“The stigma has to be reduced,” said Ms Leenders.

“Partners in Recovery is not about duplicating any other services.  We find out what it is within the person that will keep them strong and then find that particular service they want to help them, because they know themselves better.  It’s about “self righting” finding the service they feel will keep them balanced and able to identify the tipping signs and symptoms.”

By finding the right kind of service, the individual will be more inclined to invite them in and welcome them added Ms Leenders.

The Palaszczuk Government has today unveiled a plan to improve the mental health and wellbeing of Queenslanders by taking early action.

Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Cameron Dick also announced more than $450,000 in funding to improve mental health through greater social inclusion and community participation, particularly in regional areas.

It comes after the Palaszczuk Government introduced Queensland's Mental Health Bill 2015 and released a Suicide Prevention Action Plan last month.

“Our mental health needs are dynamic and change throughout our lives, and that is why the Action Plan focuses on supporting Queenslanders to start well, develop and learn well, work well, live well and age well,” Mr Dick said.

"It acknowledges that often our best opportunity to make a positive and meaningful difference to a person's wellbeing arises long before they ask for help.

"While we must continue our efforts to deliver quality frontline services to those experiencing a mental illness, it is equally important that we work together to promote positive mental health, prevent the onset of mental health problems where possible, and intervene early to reduce the impact and severity of mental illness.

“It is crucial people living in regional and rural Queensland have access to mental health and wellbeing resources and services,” he said.

“We know there are unique factors that impact those living in these geographically isolated areas, so it is vital they have mental health support in their communities, where it’s needed.”