A new grants program is about to call for applications to fund community-driven initiatives in rural mental health.
From 9 July up to $20,000 will be offered to successful programs which:
- reduce social isolation;
- increase social participation and connectedness; and
- increase help-seeking.
The initiatives should be focused on people who are at risk of, or are experiencing, mental health issues in a rural, regional or remote community.
The In a Good Place grants program wants to support local solutions in country areas to help the most marginalised in society to overcome adversity.
It’s the result of a five-year partnership between a Catholic Church foundation called CCI Giving, and the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR).
CCI is Catholic Church Insurance, and CCI Giving is its Foundation, set up to offer grants to fill gaps in a range of social welfare issues.
FRRR’s CEO, Natalie Egleton said that CCI Giving and FRRR share a belief in the value and importance of Australia’s rural, regional and remote communities and are committed to strengthening the mental health and wellbeing of those communities.
“Maintaining good mental health is a multi-faceted and lifelong process, requiring a range of approaches. This partnership and the In a Good Place grants program will support local solutions focussed on enhancing people’s mental health,” said Natalie Egleton.
Roberto Scenna, CEO of Catholic Church Insurance (CCI) and Director of CCI Giving, said the aim of the partnership is to help reduce the stigma so often associated with mental health, especially in rural areas.
“CCI Giving is committed to…. supporting projects that remove barriers to people getting appropriate support. Locals know what works best for them, so this program will support non-clinical approaches that are community-based and accessible at a grassroots level in a range of settings,” explained Roberto Scenna.
There will be two open call grant rounds each year, offering grants of up to $20,000 from an annual funding pool of $200,000.
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