Hello everyone,

Hard to believe we’re already in the second month of 2025, so it’s a belated Happy New Year from me!

If you’ve been affected by the floods in North Queensland, I hope you’re finding the help and support you need on the ground. Don’t forget our Carer Support Line is answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and is there for you, too. Call 1300 554 660, or in regional areas, call 1800 351 881 from a landline. (The full details are always at the end of our monthly newsletter.)

Over the summer, we met Queensland’s new Assistant Minister for Mental Health Donna Kirkland, who is also the new MP for Rockhampton. On a tour of our Carer Respite Hub in Brisbane, we shared our advocacy and policy priorities for this year:

• raising awareness of mental health carers
• raising awareness of existing services for mental health carers
• improving mental health carers’ experiences of hospital admission and discharge processes.  

Of course, there are many other reforms on our to-do list but, following feedback from mental health carers, and a thorough process within our advocacy team, we’ve pinpointed these three as Arafmi’s priorities for 2025.  

If you are caring for someone experiencing mental ill-health and would like to use your experience to make the system better for carers, please consider being a member of either our Carer Consultative Group or our Advocacy Community of Practice.

Given it is already February, it won’t be long until a federal election is called (it must be held by mid-May at the latest) and politicians will be vying for our votes.

One of our sector allies, Carers Australia, is leading a campaign to have superannuation paid on carers payments. You can read about the campaign and add your name to a petition here. Independent research conducted for Carers Australia found that if the Commonwealth paid super on the Carer Payment, it would add an average $52,000 to your super balance. If we could get the incoming government (whoever it is) to commit to that, now that would be a happy new year.

Have a great month,
Irene

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

Join Our Carer Consultative Group – Your Voice Matters

We’re looking for mental health carers across Queensland to join our new Carer Consultative Group. Share your experiences, provide feedback, and help shape the future of support and advocacy for carers. Members will be reimbursed for their time.

Who We’re Looking For:

• Carers with diverse experiences (e.g. different relationships, time in caring roles)
• Representatives from First Nations, CALD, LGBTQIA+, rural/remote, and other communities
• A mix of age groups, genders, and caring contexts

Express your interest by Friday 28 February.

Systems Advocacy Community of Practice

Arafmi’s Systems Advocacy Community of Practice is now underway. There’s still time to join and be part of the advocacy skills-building program starting in late February. This is your chance to share ideas and insights on improving support systems for mental health carers. 

New Carer Groups

Arafmi has two new groups for mental health carers:

• meet other carers over a friendly coffee 
• share experiences and discover new ways to cope 
• learn about Arafmi resources and supports. 

Cooroy Mental Health Connection Group 
When: Thursday 20 February, 10:00am–12:00pm, 
then every third Thursday of each month. 

Bayside Carer Support Group 
When: Saturday 15 February, 1:00pm–3:00pm, 
then every third Saturday of each month. 

Join the SANE forums - 24/7 support for mental health carers

Arafmi has teamed up with SANE Australia to offer a free, anonymous online forum specifically for mental health carers. Moderated by health professionals around the clock, these forums provide a safe space for support.

Sometimes, talking on the phone about what you're going through just isn’t possible—especially for those providing emotional or practical care to someone with mental ill-health. That’s where SANE Forums can make a difference.

What sets SANE Forums apart? It’s a community of people who truly understand—a place to share your experiences, connect, and find support from others who’ve been through similar challenges.

SANE Forums are free, anonymous, and available 24/7.

$5000 Mental Health Study Grants

Carers, thinking about studying mental health? The Australian & New Zealand Mental Health Association is offering three study grants worth $5,000 each to support students pursuing a Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, or Bachelor's Degree in mental health.

Applications close Wednesday 26 February.

Website Refresh – Mental Health Review Tribunal

The Mental Health Review Tribunal, an independent body reviewing involuntary treatment decisions, has refreshed its website based on consumer feedback. Key updates include:

• a Perspectives page with consumer journey videos
• a dedicated link for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people under For Patients, Families and Supporters.
• quick links for victim information and legal representatives.

Now Live: The Women’s Wellbeing Line

The Women’s Wellbeing Line offers free, virtual mental health support and therapeutic counselling for women, girls and gender-diverse people across Queensland.
 
Open: Monday–Friday, 8am–8pm and Saturdays, 9am–5pm.

Call: 1800 4 WOMEN (1800 496 636) or use the link below to access WebChat.

Presentation by Dr. Tony Attwood
hosted by Wellways Carer Gateway

An opportunity for Sunshine Coast carers to attend a presentation by psychologist Dr. Tony Attwood on Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) and Autistic Burnout.

• Session 1: 9:30 am - 11:00 am | Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA)
• Session 2: 11:30 am - 1:00 pm | Autistic Burnout
  Each session will include 30 minutes for Q&A. Questions can be submitted in advance. Morning tea provided. Please advise any dietary requirements when you RSVP.

RSVP
Email: ProgramSupport@wellways.org
Details: Please reply with your name, phone number and email

Wellways Carer Gateway, New Workshop- Building Blocks for Carers 2025

Wellways Carer Gateway is offering 8 Fortnightly Workshops in the Redlands Area.

An invitation to sit with other Carers, with a focus of Self-Compassion, Self-Care, and Authentic Conversations. This is an opportunity to create your community and experience ongoing connections in your local area during scheduled workshops with Wellways Carer Coach, Snez, and In-Person Peer Support facilitator, Nellie. Light refreshments provided.

Location: Alexandra Hills Community Hall, 131-135 Finucane Road, Alexandra Hills, QLD 4161
Dates: 12 & 26 February, 12 & 26 March, 9 & 23 April, 7 & 21 May
Time: 10am–12.30pm

RSVP: 5th February 2025
Email: ProgramSupport@wellways.org
Details: Please reply with your name, phone number and email

Have Your Say - Equally Well Survey

Rural carers, take part in a survey by Equally Well to share your experiences—and those of the person you care for—about the barriers and challenges to accessing physical healthcare services. Your input will help shape a better model of care.