About Us

Open Minds is an independent not-for-profit (NFP) organisation that works with people to enhance their mental health and wellbeing.

Open Minds is a leading provider of mental health and disability support services in Queensland and Northern New South Wales. With more than 100 years of history, Open Minds is committed to its purpose of enabling an independent and positive future for people living with mental illness and disabilities. Open Minds is also a registered NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme) provider, with more than 400 employees spread across 35 locations.

We provide Support Workers and other professionals to enable our clients to live as independently as possible. Our services include: Supported Independent Living, Support CoordinationCommunity AccessComplex Care, and more. We believe in working closely with the individual, their family and carers, professionals, and other stakeholders in their life, to deliver high quality support services suited to their unique needs.

Help us continue our work in the community, make a donation to Open Minds!

Our Purpose:

Enabling an independent and positive future for people living with mental illness and disabilities.

Our Values:

Integrity - We are accountable and do what is right.

Curiosity - We ask questions, are interested and never stop learning.

Together - We are stronger as a team.

People Centred - Nothing for you, without you.

Respect Each person and their experiences are unique.

Our Strategy:

Her Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM

Governor of Queensland

Our Patron

Her Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM, Governor of Queensland announced her patronage to Open Minds in November 2021.

The Governor was born in Sydney in 1963, eldest daughter of Dr David Young and Mrs Lilly Young. After graduating from Medicine at Sydney University in 1986, she commenced her medical career at Westmead Hospital. During that time, she married, had a daughter, Rebecca, and transitioned to Medical Management, completing a Master of Business Administration at Macquarie University.

After her marriage ended, the Governor – with Rebecca – moved to Queensland in 1994 to become Director of Medical Services at the Rockhampton Hospital. In 1999, she relocated to Brisbane to take up the role of Executive Director of Medical Services at the Princess Alexandra Hospital, and served on various workforce committees, including as Chair of AMWAC (Australian Medical Workforce Advisory Committee).

During this time, the Governor met her second husband, Professor Graeme Nimmo. In March 2000, they were married, and in June 2001 welcomed a daughter, Jane.

In August 2005, the Governor was appointed to the role of Chief Health Officer for Queensland, with responsibility for leading the State’s preventative health and public health agendas, including response to public health emergencies. In January 2020, when the COVID-19 virus outbreak was declared a pandemic, the Governor became the State Health Incident Controller.

During her medical career, Dr Young had specialist qualifications as a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators and as a Fellow by Distinction of the Faculty of Public Health of the Royal College of Physicians of the United Kingdom. She was also appointed Fellow of numerous other eminent education and research institutions, has received honorary doctorates from two Queensland Universities, and has received an Australia Day Achievement Medallion, as well as a Public Service Medal.

Her Excellency was sworn-in as the 27th Governor of Queensland on 1 November 2021.

Donate

Make a one off donation or setup a regular donation to Open Minds

Meet Our Team

Kate Johnson

Chief Executive Officer

Headshot of Amanda Skinner, Open Minds

Amanda Skinner

General Manager Service Delivery

Michelle Underhill

General Manager Integrated Mental Health

Rik Barker

General Manager Integrated Mental Health Services (NSW)

The Queensland Wattle League Committee pictured in 1919

Our 100 year history

Open Minds began its mission of supporting the community in 1912, formerly the Queensland Wattle Day League. 

Our story starts as a progressive organisation raising funds for art scholarships, we then went on to support returned soldiers following WW1, and funded the build of an Orthopaedic ward at the Rosemount Hospital supplying artificial limbs.

Our story hasn’t changed, we still support those in need in the community, however for nearly the last 30 years, our focus has been on individual and group support to help people with mental illness and disabilities achieve their goals. Learn more about our history, download our centenary book:

Home of the Queensland Mental Health Week Achievement Awards

Open Minds has been running the Awards since its conception in 1996, to recognise and celebrate the achievements of individuals, groups and organisations working to reduce stigma and empower those living with mental illness. Stay tuned for more information on the 2020 Awards and important dates.

Governance

Understand how Open Minds is governed and meet the Board of Open Minds!

Our Partnerships

The Open Minds Community Re-Entry Service Team (CREST) works in partnership with the Queensland Correctional Service within the Correctional Centre, Probation and Parole office in Townsville. We support men and women on parole to help make re-entry into the community a success, and to find stable accommodation.

headspace supports young people who are going through a tough time. If you are aged 12-25 and you need someone to talk to, headspace will provide you with access to health advice, education and employment. Open Minds is the lead agency for headspace in both Redcliffe and Taringa.

Open Minds works in partnership with the Central Queensland, Wide Bay, Sunshine Coast PHN to provide Coastal Supports, a program for people living with severe mental illness who are ineligible for NDIS funding, living on the Sunshine Coast and in Gympie. This program is funded by the Central Queensland, Wide Bay & Sunshine Coast PHN.

Healthy North Coast is an independent, not-for-profit organisation proudly delivering the PHN program in North Coast NSW. Committed to improving the health of our communities through quality primary health care.