Hello everyone, 
I hope you’re well and managed to enjoy some me-time during Carers’ Week and are endeavouring to regularly fit some nurturing activities into your life.

Carving out time for yourself is so important for all carers, particularly because we know caring for someone experiencing mental health distress can feel very lonely.

It’s why a big part of Arafmi’s job is to bring carers together and last month’s Carers Week events once again proved how beneficial a night out or a lunch with others who ‘get it’ can be to your wellbeing. 

Here are some eye-witness accounts from Arafmi staff:  

At the Ipswich Gala, there was a couple who hadn’t
been out for a proper occasion in 15 years, and he
had bought a new suit, so it was a real treat for them.
Richard, Marketing and Events. 

There was a table at the Cairns Gala, of people who had come alone and were a bit reserved. But by the end of the night, they were all chatting and getting up and dancing together, and were having ball.
Alex, General Manager. 

A couple who live near Cairns had called our 24 Support Line for advice, just a week before our first regional Carers Forum was to be held in Cairns. It was great timing, because they came along and got to hear all about the services available in the region.
Emma, Policy and Advocacy.   

On the Mental Health Walk for Awareness, I was walking with our team of carers and heard one carer advising another who was new to caring, ‘do whatever you can’ with Arafmi, because ‘it’s completely life-changing.
Lilly, Marketing.  

It’s stories like these that really galvanise our work to reach as many mental health carers as possible, with our support services, retreats, workshops and events. 

Many thanks to carer Helen Foley, who shared some of her story with Queensland MPs at the launch of our new Parliamentary Friends of Mental Health Carers at Parliament House. The launch, during Carers' Week, was a mighty success in raising awareness among decision  makers of the needs of mental health carers.

Stories from carers also influence our work pushing for better processes to support carers in all the systems they use, particularly in the health system. That’s why I’ve been very busy promoting Working with Carers, Family and Kin – a Guide for Healthcare Professionals, a new resource developed by Arafmi.

Since its launch a few weeks ago, we’ve spoken to many organisations representing GPs, psychiatrists and community mental health organisations. There are more people to talk to, but we believe it’s off to a great start. If you want to tell your own GP about it, feel free to point them in the direction of the website.

You can read more below about all of our activities during October, and also register for one of our events still to come in 2025. 

Hope to see you at one of our events soon.
Have a great month, Irene    

Building healthy boundaries

(Adapted from Helping Minds’ Sunday Self-Care Reflections: “Building Healthy Boundaries and Why Boundaries Matter”)

For many carers, it can feel uncomfortable to say no or take a step back, but taking on too much can leave us feeling overwhelmed and drained. When we say yes out of guilt or habit, we can lose sight of our own needs.

Boundaries remind us to pause and ask, “Do I have the energy for this right now?” If not, creating space for your own needs can make a big difference. It might mean letting a call go to voicemail, keeping a visit short, or taking ten quiet minutes with a cup of tea before moving on to the next thing.

Boundaries take practice, and we won’t get it right every day. But each small choice to rest, pause or say 'no' helps us show up with more calm, energy and authenticity for ourselves and the people we care for.

Online workshop about how to support an adult survivor of childhood trauma

Date: Friday 29 November, 10am–4pm
Location: Online

Blue Knot Foundation offers free online workshops for family and friends supporting adults who’ve experienced childhood trauma. Learn how trauma can affect people, what can trigger distress and how to respond safely while caring for your own wellbeing.

Grants to help female carers re-enter the workforce are now open

The Women’s Career Grant offers up to $4,999 to help Queensland women returning to work after a break of six months or more, covering costs like workwear, childcare, training, technology or relocation. Applications open 3 November 2025 and close 30 June 2026, or when funds are allocated.

Have your say: help shape the future of carer support 

Unpaid carers across Australia are invited to take part in a survey to help shape the National Carer Strategy Action Plan 2024–2027. Run by the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing with Nous Group, it focuses on improving counselling, mental health support and access to respite. The survey is open until 19 November 2025.

Have your Human Rights been upheld in 2025?

The National Mental Health Consumer Alliance has launched Australia’s only national Human Rights Survey designed by and for people with lived experience of mental health challenges.

They want to hear how your human rights were upheld—or breached—in 2025. Whether in mental health, justice, health, or other systems, your story helps track where Australia is meeting its international obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD). Your responses are completely anonymous and will be analysed by the lived-experience research group ACACIA. The results will shape national advocacy to make sure human rights are real for all mental health consumers. Take the survey now — closes 31 December 2025.

Each month explore a selection of articles we've curated especially for you.