The latest news from Arafmi
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Irene Clelland
CEO Arafmi
Hello everyone,
I hope you’re well and have escaped the worst of the summer storms and heat. It’s definitely time to pour yourself a cold drink, put your feet up and enjoy Arafmi’s final newsletter for 2025.
Yes, I know putting your feet up at this time of year can seem impossible, especially if you have caring responsibilities. But when taking a break feels impossible, that’s when you know you really need to do it! It’s one of the great tips our Carer Support team has for preparing for the end of the year: Take time out for yourself.
If you are able to get to our Carer Support Hub in Brisbane, there is still one more Preparing for the End of the Year Workshop available. And, for those of you who can’t, you can read this article on our website, which includes the major points (online workshops were held in November.)
In the workshop, the Carer Support Team helps you
address the extra challenges that can arise at this time of year, such as mental health services closing over the Christmas break, and the extra pressure that puts on you as a carer. The workshop helps you map out a plan for managing all the demands on your finances, your time, and your physical and emotional energy.
One tip I really love, is to rehearse answers to some of the tricky questions that can come up from family or friends, especially those you haven’t seen in a while. Well-intentioned but ill-timed inquiries about the wellbeing of the person you’re caring for, can be deftly swatted away with a “I’d prefer to talk about something else, but if you want, let’s catch up in January.” It really is okay to not talk about it, if you don’t want to.
If you do need to talk it through with someone who understands, though, don’t forget that part of your plan can always be calling our Carer Support Line on 1300 554 660. Trained volunteers and staff members will be on call over the season, and most of them have been or still are caring for someone experiencing mental health difficulties. They’re there to support, listen and advise anytime of the day or night.
Hopefully, all of your preparations lead to a peaceful, enjoyable festive season.
Irene
Upcoming Arafmi Events for Carers
Preparation for end of year - free workshops
When: Thursday 11 December, 10am-12noon
Where: Arafmi Carer Hub
Cost: Free
The festive season can be a stressful time. Join our free in-person workshop to learn practical tips to support yourself and the person you care for over the holiday period.
Drop-in support for carers at Upper Mount Gravatt
When: Mondays and Wednesdays, 8:30am-4pm
Where: Upper Mount Gravatt Wellways Carer Gateway Hub, 1993 Logan Rd, Upper Mount Gravatt
Cost: Free
Looking to speak with someone who truly understands the caring journey? Our team is now at the Upper Mount Gravatt Wellways Carer Gateway Hub every Monday and Wednesday.
Come by anytime for a friendly chat, emotional support, practical information, helpful resources, a cuppa and a chance to breathe.
No bookings, no pressure. Just a welcoming space where you can talk things through with someone who has Lived Experience as a mental health carer.
This new drop-in service is part of Arafmi’s partnership with Wellways Carer Gateway, helping carers access support and connection in their local community.
Carer Resources
Holiday hampers, activities and emergency relief resources
The holidays can be a tough time for many mental health carers. Some services close, costs go up and family pressures can feel heavier than usual. To make things a little easier, we've put together a list of holiday-period supports, including services that remain open and others offering special assistance at this time of year.
You'll find information on food hampers, gifts for children, local activities and emergency relief, including supports across Queensland, from Brisbane to regional areas.
Use the link below to see the list and contact organisations directly for more details. Please note that this list was collated for carers, and the details were correct at the time of production on 28/11/25. Arafmi is not responsible for the services listed. For further support options in your area, please refer to your local council website or neighbourhood centre.
November Highlights
Carer events wrap-up
November was busy in the best way, with carers joining 11 education events and 22 support groups across Queensland. These sessions give carers space to learn new skills, share stories and take a break from the day-to-day pressures of caring.
Here are a few highlights:
Out & About with Arafmi: Carers headed out to the Brisbane Portrait Prize and the Daisy Hill Koala Centre this month, taking time to unwind with others who share similar experiences.
Multicultural Community Leaders Workshop: Local community leaders learned more about our Culture Care program and how to better recognise and support mental health carers in their communities.
Support the Family/Carer, Improve the Outcome – Caloundra: Forty carers joined this special event with Family Drug Support. Guest speakers from local services covered referral pathways, trauma, emergency response and family-focused supports, giving carers clearer options for help.
Mental Health First Aid Training – Gold Coast: Eight participants spent two days building skills to support someone experiencing mental distress or mental ill-health.
Bundaberg Peer Support Groups: Our new groups are now four weeks in, with both morning and afternoon sessions. Carers are returning each week, and more locals are dropping by as the word spreads.
Arafmi Annual Report 2024-2025
A big year wrapped up in one tidy read!
Arafmi’s 2024–25 Annual Report is now available, offering a clear snapshot of our work across Queensland to support mental health carers. It's packed with stories, achievements and key moments from the year, all in one easy read.
Inside, you’ll find updates on the growth of Arafmi’s Carer Support Programs, stronger partnerships and expanded services, including support for people who may not yet identify as carers.
The report also shines a light on young carers, with several new initiatives to raise awareness and improve services. This includes the Queensland Young Carer Network launching the co-designed Young Carer Fact Sheet.
Another major milestone featured in the report is Arafmi becoming the Peak Body for Mental Health Carers in Queensland, supported by dedicated funding from Queensland Health to address the systemic issues highlighted in the At what cost? report.
So grab a cuppa and enjoy the highlights from a big year.
Carer Support Update
Carer support groups - closed over holiday period
Our in-person and online carer support groups will run as scheduled in December, except for any groups that fall between 24 December and 1 January. All groups will resume in January 2026.
Policy and Advocacy Team Update
Future Planning Workshop
At our latest Future Planning Workshop, we shared new survey results showing the scale of support mental health carers provide each week. More than 70% offer over six hours, and more than 40% give more than eleven hours. Many carers don’t yet have a plan for future financial, practical or emotional support, and most want help to create one. Housing costs were another major concern.
This feedback gives us important evidence for our advocacy work and shows why it's so important to plan for when carers can no longer provide care. Without clear plans, who will take on this work or cover these costs if carers can’t?
Earlier workshops in the series also highlighted carers’ top worries for the future, including financial matters, emotional support, emergency support, legal matters and housing.
This session offered practical advice on legal and financial matters. Independent Patient Rights Advisers (IPRA) and Basic Rights Queensland (BRQ) shared tips on understanding your rights, supporting someone to manage theirs and navigating Centrelink forms.
We are now bringing together everything we have learned so far, from workshops, surveys, interviews and conversations, into a summary to be shared next year, along with possible solutions such as a new planning tool. Our next workshop will focus on housing, so keep an eye out for details.
Highlights from the Rural Mental Health Conference
Arafmi's Lived Experience Lead, Sue and Cheryl, Arafmi's Regional Coordinator, attended the Rural Mental Health Conference in Hobart, joining more than 300 clinicians, researchers, carers, peer workers and community organisations from across Australia. The conference highlighted the growing importance of peer-led support and more flexible approaches to clinical care. It was a valuable chance to learn what’s working in rural communities and bring fresh insights back to Queensland.
Community of Practice network for mental health professionals
Sue and Tina from the Carer Support Team hosted the first online meeting of our new Community of Practice for mental health professionals on 13 November. Sue shared findings from the At What Cost? report and Tina gave an overview of Arafmi’s support for mental health carers.
Participants talked about how they identify and support carers within their organisations and explored ways to strengthen engagement and improve support for families.
Arafmi at the 2025 QCOSS Conference
Arafmi's Engagement and Advocacy Officer, Sasha, hosted a stall at the 2025 QCOSS Conference, held recently from 25 to 27 November, joining organisations from across Queensland to share information about our services and highlight the needs of unpaid mental health carers.
This year’s theme, Changing State, focused on dreaming, daring and doing. For Arafmi, that means imagining a fairer system for mental health carers, advocating for the change they deserve and doing the practical work that supports their wellbeing.
Carer Opportunities
Expressions of Interest for Lived Experience board member (voluntary) at Karakan
Karakan is inviting Expressions of Interest for a voluntary board member to join their Board of Directors in 2026 and help guide their next phase of growth. This role is open to people with Lived Experience of mental health challenges and/or as a mental health carer.
Carers of young people your voice matters - paid opportunity
Are you a carer of a young person under 18 who has used Queensland Health mental health services or visited an emergency department during a mental health crisis? QCMHR (Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research) is looking for carers to share their experiences to help improve support for other families. This is a paid opportunity for those who take part.
Share what matters about mental health research - paid opportunity
The ALIVE National Centre for Mental Health Research Translation and ANU are inviting carers, families and kinship groups who support someone living with mental health challenges to take part in their Emotion Mapping activity to help create and prioritise mental health research topics.
It takes around 30 to 45 minutes and can be completed at home, at your own pace, over the week. Participants will be reimbursed for their time.
What's in the News
Each month explore a selection of articles we've curated especially for you.
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.
