The Napranum Aboriginal Shire Council will partner with the Palaszczuk Government to recruit a Social and Emotional Wellbeing Coordinator to improve health and cultural services in the community.
The Coordinator will work closely with local men's and women's groups and service providers to identify gaps in the current services and co-design solutions to fill them.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Minister Craig Crawford said the project was one of five locally led initiatives across the State, totalling more than $1 million, to improve community social health.
"The Social and Emotional Wellbeing Program supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to improve mental health, emotional wellbeing, and social outcomes," Mr Crawford said.
"It will also respond to substance misuse, and reduce rates of suicide in their communities," he said.
"Like other Local Thriving Communities initiatives, the Program supports First Nations peoples to make decisions about their own future, build on their strengths, invest in things that will make their communities stronger, and make an enduring difference to people's lives.
"These locally-led initiatives will deliver community focused outcomes, as local leaders work with the department to improve mental health outcomes state-wide."
Member for Cook Cynthia Lui said the program had been identified as a critical need by the local community and the Napranum Local Thriving Communities Taskforce, which will co-design and deliver it.
"I commend the leadership and initiative of the Napranum Aboriginal Shire Council in securing a $235,000 Program grant make this program a reality," Ms Lui said.
Mayor Janita Motton said the Council looked forward to collaborating with the Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships to design the program and define the role and responsibilities of the Coordinator.
"Being so remote – nearly 700 kilometres from Cairns, the nearest regional city – it's vital that our community has access to all the services it needs right here," Cr Motton said.
"It's also important that these services recognise the diversity of language and culture, as our small community are descended from as many as 40 different groups from around Cape York Peninsula."
Applications for grants for funding were assessed, shortlisted, and awarded by an independent expert panel.
