The latest news from Arafmi
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Irene Clelland
CEO Arafmi
Hello everyone,
For those of you who attended our Mental Health Carer Forum on 16 October, either in person or online, I hope you found it informative and perhaps even, a bit fun. I personally loved seeing everyone up dancing and got some really useful information from our legal expert, Brian Herd.
If you missed out, keep an eye on our social media pages for a link to the video.
During Carers Week, the draft National Carer Strategy was also released by the federal government. This is an important document, because it will guide efforts to bring about reforms for carers over the next decade.
Arafmi lodged a submission, which you can read here
We made seven recommendations, including the additional challenges and needs of mental health carers, and acknowledge in law that carers have certain rights, for example, the right to economic participation.
The strategy outlines some objectives which sound positive, for example that “Carers are empowered to fulfil their caring role, whilst still pursuing other aspects of their lives.” It also sets out a plan to review key legislation and policy areas to ensure carers are supported, recognised and valued.
You can read the draft here
Have a great month,
Irene
Spotlight on Self-Care
5 minute moment
Those who were able to attend the Carer Forum would have had the lovely experience of doing the Golden Eagle Sequence. This simple sequence helps to calm the nervous system in just a few minutes.
For anyone interested in practicing this calming sequence at home, as well as those who haven't yet had the chance to experience it, click the link below to watch Sue guide you through the practice
What's in the News
Each month explore a selection of articles we've curated especially for you.
Advocacy Team Update
New Community of Practice
Invitations to attend an information session will be sent out shortly to those who have expressed their interest in Arafmi’s new system advocacy Community of Practice. In this Community of Practice, we’ll share ideas and information about how to improve the support system for mental health carers.
Carer Support Update
Youth eCPR: A big thank you to our young carers
We’re so grateful to have had such incredible young carers (aka our 18-25-year-old superheroes) join Australia’s first Youth Emotional CPR (eCPR) certification workshop. Hosted by Arafmi with Emotional CPR-Australia, this workshop provided essential skills to connect, empower, and revitalise - helping us be there for others emotionally, especially during tough times. Huge thanks also
to Aesop Mount Gravatt for the gift bags and Visible Ink for venue support.
Feedback Highlights:
My favourite part was sharing learnings with the group, hearing from everyone about their experiences and perspectives.
Learning that I don't always have to speak to support someone in distress, that it is okay and also very helpful to sit, listen and empathise through sharing how I feel.
Upcoming Free Workshop
- Dates: 10am-2pm on 26 November, 3 & 10 December
- Format: 12-hour interactive training, fully online
New Staff - Welcome Tina and Cheryl
In October, Tina and Cheryl joined Arafmi in the Carer Support Team. They are very experienced practitioners with many years working at not-for-profit organisations.
Tina Thomas
Manager - Carer Support
I grew up spending time with my family around the border towns of Goondiwindi and Boggabilla and had my school years in Brisbane. I started my career as an oncology/palliative care nurse and then moved into the social support sector, working in areas such as crisis support, domestic and family violence, disability and the courts. Most of my working life has been helping people to support others through training, peer support and volunteering. My partner and I have two wonderful dogs at home, a rescue dog called "Big Boy" Rus or aka the dragon slayer and a whippet called Ripley. Camping, bushwalking and time at the beach and heading out to the family farm, is where we find our happy space. I am super excited about joining the Arafmi team and getting to know everyone.
Cheryl Mascali
Senior Carer Support Coordinator – Carer Gateway Services Phone Support
My name is Cheryl, and I have recently joined the team over at Teneriffe. I am excited to be part of such a wonderful organisation that recognises the role that unpaid carers have in the lives of the people they love and support with mental health challenges. I am still very much learning my role as I support carers over the phone and in one-to-one sessions. I look forward to slowly meeting everyone and continuing to grow and learn with Arafmi.
Arafmi Celebrates QLD Mental Health Week and Carers Week
Arafmi hosted and participated in over 18 events during QLD Mental Health Week and Carers Week in October, including our annual Mental Health Carer Forum and a Carer Gala Dinner, in partnership with Carers QLD and Wellways Carer Gateway. Thank you to all of the carers and partner organisations who made these events such a success and a big shout-out to the Arafmi Carer Support, Advocacy and Marketing teams for all of their hard work in organising these events. It was a wonderful collective effort to promote and celebrate mental health and wellbeing and our amazing, unpaid mental health carers.
Arafmi’s 2024 Mental Health Carer Forum Wrap-Up
Our Mental Health Carer Forum on 16 October provided an important opportunity for mental health carers to hear from leaders in the mental health system, connect with other carers and learn how to utilise their Lived-Living Experience to advocate for better support for themselves and the people they care for. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. We thank everyone who contributed to making the day a success.
Carer Forum Round Table Discussions
A huge thank you to everyone who joined the Carer Forum round table discussions. Your insights are guiding the Advocacy Team’s priorities and future focus areas.
Key priority identified by carers were:
- educating GPs and health professionals about carers
- promoting available carer supports and distinguishing between crisis support and ongoing support
- increasing support for young carers (aged 4–25), including training for schools on how to identify, refer, and assist them.
For more information about the event including round table discussions and guest speakers please visit our website. This includes links to resources from Sue Goodwin's presentation and key speaker presentations.
Carer Support Events and Education
These free Arafmi workshops and groups are designed specifically for people who care for a friend or family member experiencing mental ill-health.
End of Year Workshop for Carers
The end of the year can be a stressful and emotional time. This free online workshop involves sharing stories, tips and tricks and exploring situations together to support ourselves and others through this time.
When: 20 November, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Regional Coffee Connect Group
Townsville - Coffee and Connect
In partnership with Neami National
When: Friday 15 November, 10:00am - 11:30am,
then every third Friday of each month.
One of our carer support team members will be at a local cafe where you can drop in, have a chat and catch up with us and other carers. To find out more email carersupport@arafmi.com.au
Create and Connect for Carers
Carers come together at the Arafmi Carer Respite Hub for 2 hours of relaxing creativity to take time out for self-care and connection.
When: 26 November, 9:30am - 11:30am,
then every fourth Tuesday of each month.
New Carer Groups
Arafmi has two new groups for unpaid carers offering emotional or practical support to friends, family or kin experiencing mental ill-health:
- join us monthly for a friendly chat over coffee
- connect with other carers, share experiences and explore alternative ways of coping
- learn about Arafmi resources and supports.
Murrumba Downs - Coffee and Connect
When: Wednesday 13 November, 10:30am - 12:30pm,
then every second Wednesday of each month.
Cleveland - Support Group
When: Saturday 9 November, 10:00am - 12:00pm,
then every second Saturday of each month.
To find out more email carersupport@arafmi.com.au
Arafmi Carer Event Calendar
Explore Arafmi's free support programs. Our calendar includes tailored
support groups, workshops and events for mental health carers.
Opportunities for Carers
Win Theatre Tickets to Julius Caesar
WIN a night at the theatre to see Julius Caesar, performed and generously donated by the creatives of Queensland Shakespeare Ensemble.
To enter, tell us in a few words, why winning a free ticket to the theatre would be meaningful to you.
To be eligible you must be a mental health carer participating in Arafmi's programs.
Companion Cards are accepted so your friend, kin or family member experiencing mental ill-health can use the winning ticket and you can accompany them to the performance for free.
Hurry, entries close Wednesday 6 November! Winners will be contacted on Thursday 7 November.
Survey: Regional, Rural, and Remote Areas Independent Disability Advocacy
The Queensland Independent Disability Advocacy Network (QIDAN) wants to hear from disability service providers and individuals with disabilities, and their families in regional, rural, and remote areas. Share your experiences about needing and/or accessing independent disability advocacy through this survey and help shape future support.
Carer, Family and Kin Survey - The Alive National Centre for Research
If you're a carer, family, or kin (aged 16+) supporting someone with mental ill-health, share what matters most to you in the 2024 ANU-ALIVE National Lived-Experience Priorities Study. It will help to generate and prioritise their mental health research topics. This year there are four ways to participate: online survey, photo interview, crowd sourcing or emotion mapping.
Always here for you
You can call Arafmi’s 24 hour Carer Support Line to share your feelings, receive support, find new resources and learn helpful coping skills to help you in your caring role. It’s comforting to know that when you need to talk – someone who understands will be there – at any hour.
Call us on 1300 554 660 (Brisbane) or 1800 351 881 ( Regional QLD)
Arafmi acknowledges Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Nations peoples of Australia and recognises their continuing connection to country, waters, kin, and communities. We pay our respect to Elders past, present and future and are committed to ensuring that Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples voices are heard and respected across Queensland.
