The latest news from Arafmi
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Irene Clelland
CEO Arafmi
Hello everyone,
I hope you're all managing okay with the many challenges this modern world is throwing our way. I know if you’re caring for someone experiencing mental health challenges, then you’re already familiar with juggling many demands, tightening the family budget, and all the stress that comes with it.
But if you need to talk it over with someone in our team, you can always call our 24-hour support line on 1300 554 660. Sometimes talking with someone who understands is
all we need to recharge and keep going.
However, sometimes we definitely need much longer, more restful respite from caring responsibilities. We have continued to pursue our recommendation to the State Government for more respite options, particularly in regional Queensland. I’m happy to share with you that we were invited to meet with the Assistant Minister for Mental Health Donna Kirkland to discuss the options and costings – an invitation we naturally accepted.
The state budget is due to be delivered in June. Fingers are well and truly crossed.
Funding decisions often rely on solid information about the challenges and needs of people caring for someone with mental ill-health, so we have a real focus this year on more consultation with you. Our Policy and Advocacy team will be using your feedback to contribute to new state and federal policy to address huge unmet needs for mental health support in our community,
among many other significant areas of reform.
So, if you've got something to say, rest assured we're working hard to get your voices heard in those busy corridors of power.
Have a Happy Easter and a great month, Irene.
What's On for Carers: Brisbane/South-East QLD
Arafmi is hosting free advocacy, information and connection events for mental health carers in April. Click the images below to get involved and have fun.
Connect with others who understand:
Carer Peer Coaching Group
Want to connect with other mental health carers who share similar experiences?
Join our relaxed, peer-led, weekly group, in partnership with Wellways Carer Gateway. A supportive space to connect, build confidence, and find ways to make caring feel a bit easier.
Attend in-person or online. Each week covers a different topic, so coming along to all 9 weeks is encouraged.
There's a range of useful topics including support in your caring role, health and wellbeing and planning ahead after a crisis.
In-person:
Dates: Wednesdays 22 April – 17 June
Time:12pm – 2pm
Where: Wellways Carer Gateway Hub, 1993 Logan Road, Upper Mount Gravatt
or Online:
Dates: Mondays 20 April –15 June
Time: 4:30pm - 6:30pm
Drop-in with Arafmi Carer Gateway Team
Drop-in for a chat with our friendly Carer Support Facilitator. Get information, support and resources to help in your caring role.
When: Fridays 8am - 4pm
Where: Wellways Carer Gateway Hub, 1993 Logan Road, Upper Mount Gravatt
What's On for Carers: Regional, Rural & Remote
The Carers Journey Workshops
These free workshops explore the carer journey and offer a chance to share experiences, discover practical strategies and resources, and connect with others. For unpaid carers supporting someone living with mental health challenges.
Kingaroy: Tuesday 7 April, 1pm-3pm. Book your spot.
Miles: Tuesday 21 April, 1pm-3pm. Register here.
Chinchilla: Wednesday 22 April, 9am-11pm. Book now.
Want to hear more about upcoming workshops, support groups and future events? Visit our website or follow us on socials.
Feature: Young Carers
“I just thought it was normal" - the hidden reality of young mental health carers
For many young people, caring doesn’t have a name. It’s just part of everyday life, being there when someone needs them. As Tanya Boge from our Carer Support Team explains, “Many young mental health carers don’t identify with the word ‘carer’ they see what they do as just helping out.”
What often goes unseen is everything behind that, the mental load, the worrying, and the responsibility. “Many also grow up without clear boundaries, which can make it harder to balance their own needs alongside supporting someone else.” Over time, this can impact their mental wellbeing, school, and friendships.
For Tanya, this is personal: “I was a young mental health carer myself… I just thought it was normal to take on that level of responsibility and not have clear boundaries.”
That’s why early support matters. With the right support, young carers can feel more connected, build confidence, and better understand their own needs.
This Queensland Youth Week (11–19 April 2026), with the theme 'Unleashing Your Potential,' is a chance to recognise both what young carers give, and what they need in return.
Supporting young carers now is about making sure they feel seen, understood, and connected, so they don’t have to navigate it on their own.
If this sounds familiar, or you’re not sure where to start, these resources can help you learn more about what a young carer is and where to find support.
👉 Young Carer Flyer (services, support and what it means to be a young carer)
👉 Youth Week events
News from our Policy and Advocacy Team
Pictured left to right: Farina, Sue and Sasha.
Are carers being heard? Policy and Advocacy in action
Big changes are happening across the mental health system, from the NDIS to psychosocial supports. But one question remains: where are carers in these decisions?
Behind the scenes at Arafmi, the Policy and Advocacy Team is working to make sure they are heard.
Farina, Sue and Sasha focus on bringing carers’ experiences into the rooms where decisions are made. They listen to what’s working, what’s not, and where the gaps are, then turn those insights into evidence that helps shape policy, funding and the support people receive.
As Sue explains, “There’s an awful lot of change happening at both the state and national level.” That’s why this work matters now.
Right now, the team is speaking with carers across Queensland about their experiences navigating the mental health system and the NDIS, including where there were gaps and what support was available.
If this sounds familiar to you, this is your chance to be part of that change. Interviews will take place in April or May, online or in person.
Because your experience can help shape what comes next.
Meet the Arafmi Carer Gateway Team
Carol, Townsville Carer Support Facilitator
Support where it didn't exist before
Meet Carol, supporting mental health carers in Townsville
You can actually see it… they relax and just exhale.
Carol sees it all the time, that first moment a carer realises they finally have space just for them.
She calls it the great exhale.
Carol is a Carer Supporter Facilitator in Townsville, providing one-on-one coaching for carers across North Queensland, bringing support into regional communities where it hasn’t always been easy to access.
People often need that first… just to feel supported before they’re ready to connect with others.
She meets carers where they feel comfortable, a park, a café, or somewhere quiet, and keeps things simple.
When I sit down with carers, we just talk through the week… what’s been challenging, and what’s one small, positive thing they can look forward to.
Over time, something shifts. Carers feel more in control, less alone, and start to make space for themselves again.
If you’re a mental health carer in or around Townsville, you don’t have to do this alone. Connect with Carol for one-on-one coaching or a peer support group.
What's been happening
Aynur (Culture Care worker) at the ECCQ’s International Women’s Day Breakfast
Flower workshop with carers at Stanthorpe.
Craft activity at Arafmi’s March Out and About.
Finding support along the way - Carer events in March
“I didn’t know support like this existed.”
It’s something we heard more than once this month, not in a formal setting or a survey, but in conversations with carers at events, when they had a moment to pause and reflect.
For International Women’s Day, Culture Care spent time at the Ramadan Bazaar and the Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland (ECCQ) Breakfast, talking with women from diverse cultural backgrounds and sharing what support is available for mental health carers.
In Stanthorpe, the impact was just as clear. At a Rest and Reset day, carers reflected on where they are in their caring role and what they might need, alongside others who understand. One carer shared she hadn’t realised support like this existed, and by the end of the day, as Cheryl observed, one carer was able to “place her burdens on the table”.
In New Farm Park, that support looked a little different. Carers gathered under the trees by the river, sitting together in a crafting circle for the monthly Out and About event. Using felt hearts, each person set an intention, stitched it inside, and filled their heart with lavender or rose petals. Feedback was really positive, with carers reflecting on the beautiful symbolism of the activity and saying days like this helped them feel lighter.
It doesn’t always look the same, but support is there. Whether through a conversation, a small activity, or simply being in a space where people understand. You don’t have to figure it out alone. 💚
Spotlight on self care
When you’re supporting someone, it’s easy for your own needs to slip down the list. Over time, things can start to feel isolating.
Research shows that feeling connected to others can reduce stress, ease isolation, and help you feel more confident in your caring role. It also builds confidence over time. When you connect with others who understand, you often pick up practical ways to cope and manage the ups and downs.
And it doesn’t take much. It’s not about having a big network, just a few trusted people, someone you can message, someone who understands, someone who simply gets it. That might be a friend, another carer, a family member, or a support group. Even online spaces can help you feel less alone.
Try these simple tools to help you map out your support:
👉 Take a few minutes to map out who you can turn to, you might have more support than you think.
👉 Carrying a lot right now? This quick activity can help you release some of that mental load.
👉 Ready to connect? Join a carer support group and meet others who understand.
Connection is the energy that exists between people when they feel seen, heard and valued — Brené Brown
Carer opportunities and resources
More support is available. Other organisations are offering free resources and opportunities for mental health carers and carer peer workers.
Click the images below to explore.
Need someone to talk to?
Arafmi’s 24-hour Carer Support Line is here for mental health carers, 7 days a week including public holidays. Call for support, useful resources and simple coping tips.
You don't have to go through it alone.
Call us on 1300 554 660 (Brisbane) or 1800 351 881 (Regional QLD)
Got any feedback?
We’d love to hear from you. Whether it’s a compliment, suggestion or complaint,
your feedback helps us improve.
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.
