The latest news from Arafmi No images? Click here Irene Clelland Hello everyone, In the middle of May every year, we find out how the federal government is spending all our money, and for mental health carers and the people we care for, this year delivered some positive change, but on a smaller scale than we’d like. There is money to continue existing services that would otherwise have been shut down in July. And there is about $164 million over the next four years to establish and run a free nation-wide digital mental health service, providing early intervention in ill-health support, which it’s hoped will provide something for people who have been missing out entirely. I made the quick trip to Canberra in mid-May for the annual post-budget Mental Health Australia Policy Forum, where we heard from the Ministers and the bureaucrats in charge. As the Mental Health Australia CEO, Carolyn Nikoloski summed it up: “The investments are sound and broad, but not deep”. Perhaps it’s not surprising, given the number of significant negotiations underway between federal and state governments, including reshaping the National Disability Insurance Scheme. For carers, there are two bright spots:
Next up, we’ll find out how the state government is spending Queenslanders’ money, when the State Budget is handed down on June 11. We’ll keep a close eye on that one and let you know what it means for mental health carers. Finally, I’d like to sign off a bit differently this month, by saying Gurumba bigi, hello [good day], in Yuggera, I live and work on Yuggera lands in West End, Brisbane and I usually sign off my emails with this phrase, to try to raise awareness of our First Nations peoples. As the theme for Reconciliation Week says, Now More Than Ever, we can all play a role in healing the wrongs of the past. Have a great month, Welcome JenniferThis month, we welcome Jennifer Pouwer to our team in the new role of Deputy CEO - General Manager, Community Services. Jennifer will oversee our NDIS support services for people living with psychosocial disabilities. Her expertise will be invaluable as we navigate the ongoing NDIS reform process and its impact on service delivery. Jennifer has more than 30 years of experience in executive roles across government and not-for-profit sectors, in areas including mental health, disability services, child protection, aged and community care, employment services, and vocational rehabilitation. Jennifer is committed to adaptive and empowering leadership, values-based mental health care, and systemic advocacy. We're looking forward to working with Jennifer and benefiting from her wealth of knowledge and skills in the mental health care sector. Ailsa Whitehead's memorial serviceThank you to everyone who attended the memorial service for Ailsa Whitehead. Ailsa was the longest-standing member of Arafmi, making numerous valuable contributions and playing a vital role in developing support groups and the Carer Support Line. The heartfelt stories shared by those she influenced truly highlighted her profound impact on our lives. Ailsa's kindness, strength, and dedication were evident in every memory. Friends spoke of her generosity, colleagues praised her commitment and community members reflected on her efforts to make a difference. Please send any photos or memories you would like to share. These can be added to the memory book, which is on display at the Carer Hub, serving as a lasting tribute to Ailsa. Spotlight on Self-CareTaking care of others begins with taking care of yourself. Every month we'll share practical tips and strategies to help you prioritise your own wellbeing. Queensland Government's Mental Wellbeing InitiativeThe Queensland Government's mental wellbeing website is a great resource. It encourages small daily activities to boost mental health, focusing on six key areas: getting healthy, continuous learning, showing kindness, connecting with others, practicing mindfulness, and embracing nature. The site provides practical tips and fun activities for each area, helping you build resilience and improve your mental wellbeing. Take a look and find out what works best for you, whether it's exercising, socialising, or simply enjoying the outdoors. Attend our new self-care workshopArafmi has introduced a workshop focusing on self-care for carers. This workshop shares strategies to help carers implement self-care, which is crucial for their wellbeing throughout their caregiving journey. The workshop is held monthly, with an option for carers to attend as part of a day retreat at the Carer Hub in Teneriffe. For more information or to express interest in attending, please contact the Carer Support Team to be added to the waiting list. What's in the NewsEach month explore a selection of articles we've curated especially for you. Medicare Mental Health CentresYou may have noticed one of the free, walk-in mental health services, known as Head to Health, in your area. Well, they will soon all be called Medicare Mental Health Centres, The federal government says it has decided to change the name to align the service with the well-known and trusted Medicare brand. The services themselves won’t change, although the government says over time there will be additional money to ensure each service has a psychiatrist and psychologist at hand. You don’t need a Medicare card to access these supports. There will be a new website, too, but for now check out the services via the link below. Advocacy Team UpdateAuthor of the report - Sue Goodwin, Lived Experience Advocacy Lead. Arafmi’s inaugural mental health carers reportThis has been a major part of our work as the peak body for mental health carers in Queensland over the past nine months. So yes, it’s been rather like a birth! “At What Cost?” collates and analyses the feedback from carers in consultations held by our Advocacy Team held late last year. Thank you to those of you who participated in this process. The report is being mailed out to all State MPs, Queensland-based Federal MPs, senior public servants and other stakeholders, as part of our bid to raise awareness of mental health carers and the systemic reforms carers need. First Nations mental health carersChantelle Bongers, First Nations Lived Experience Lead, travelled to Townsville to discuss with local organisations whether First Nations communities identify with the term ‘carer’, what is unique about caring roles within culture and what supports exist to support First Nations mental health carers. The conversations offered some insight into the importance of caring for someone with mental-ill health and how this continues to be a cultural practice within First Nations communities. Carer Support UpdateCulture Care Program UpdateThe Culture Care Program is provided by Arafmi and World Wellness Group to identify and support mental health carers from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse backgrounds. Carers can access individual support to assist them in their role and Support Groups and Workshops designed to meet their unique needs. Multicultural Peer Support Workers (MPSW) are engaged to work alongside the team to ensure language and cultural support is always available. The MPSWs team speak over 40 languages. In May Culture Care facilitated their first support group. This provided a great opportunity for the carers to meet the team and Marcella from the Carer Gateway. The feedback was very positive and is being used to plan future events. Culture Care is now providing a monthly support group in Brisbane's south (Upper Mount Gravatt). This support group will take place every second Thursday of the month, and the next date is 13th of June 2024. To find out more about Culture Care, support groups and workshops or to make a referral please contact Aynur at Arafmi or call 1300 554 660. Regional UpdateGillian, Arafmi's Regional Coordinator is currently visiting Cairns, Atherton Tableland, Innisfail and Townsville. She will be connecting with organisations to promote the support options available for carers and explore future ways to work together. Ipswich Medicare Mental Health Centre The federal Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Emma McBride was also there. Read her media release below. Second Inner-City Mini RetreatOur second successful Inner-City Mini Retreat was held this month. Carers had the opportunity to stay for 2 nights at the overnight respite accommodation in Teneriffe, participate in wellbeing activities, a self-care workshop and creative workshop. We thank Adele for being the in-house beautician and providing a makeover for the carers before going out to dinner. Some kind words from our guests:
If you are interested in finding out more about the mini retreat or would like to attend for a day retreat for the workshops please contact the Carer Support Team or call 1300 554 660. National Volunteer WeekIn May Arafmi celebrated National Volunteer Week with some of the phone volunteers at Merthyr Bowls Club on the river. It was a wonderful way to connect and thank volunteers for their incredible ongoing support. The volunteers make the 24 hour phone line possible by being available in the evenings and on weekends. Most volunteers at the dinner had not met each other in person before so it was a great opportunity to meet the person they handover to on the phone line. We were also privileged to join Louise Dutton to celebrate her 27 years as a phone volunteer. If you are interested in volunteering opportunities with Arafmi please get in touch for more information. New Carer Gateway ProjectArafmi has partnered with Carer Gateway to help mental health carers registered with Carer Gateway access Arafmi's overnight respite accommodation in Teneriffe. This month, Arafmi is recruiting a dedicated Coordinator to ensure these carers receive personalised overnight stays. Carer Gateway funds practical and emotional supports. Please note that this federally funded program is for carers of all ages who may be caring for someone with mental health, physical, and/or aged needs. To register for Carer Gateway, please contact the team on 1800 422 737 or make a referral at this link: Carer Gateway Registration | Wellways Mental Health First Aid WorkshopBen facilitated a Mental Health First Aid Workshop which provided carers with information and techniques to assist them. These workshops are run over two days and open to carers. If you are interested in finding out more or registering your interest for a future workshop please contact Ben. Looking ForwardWorkshops
If you have any questions about these or are not sure what workshops may be of benefit for you please contact the Carer Support Team or call 1300 554 660. All workshops are advertised on our website here Feedback from a recent workshop:
Arafmi Carer Event CalendarExplore Arafmi's free support programs. Our calendar includes tailored Win tickets to a Broncos gameThe Brisbane Broncos have generously donated tickets for carers to attend the Round 21 game against the Canterbury Bulldogs on Saturday 27 July at 3pm. For a chance to win tickets for you and a friend, write in 25 words or less why you should go to the game. To be eligible you must be a mental health carer participating in Arafmi's programs. Entries close on Monday 1 July at 5pm. Opportunities for CarersGood grief, this hurts!The theme for this year's Good grief, this hurts! webinar is: Kinship loss - Supporting young people who have experienced the death of a special adult. Good grief, this hurts! is a free, annual educational event aimed at building community capacity and practical awareness about grief, loss, death and bereavement as experienced by children and young people. The event is an opportunity to enhance knowledge and skills in supporting a child or young person who is grieving. The webinar is open to anyone in the community who is caring for a child or young person who has been impacted by the death of a special adult. We warmly welcome family members and friends, teachers, guidance counsellors, healthcare providers, private counsellors/psychologists and community-based youth focused organisations. Kookaburra KidsKookaburra Kids run amazing programs for young people who have a family member with mental health concerns. Designed by mental health professionals, their Camps, Activity Days and online Connect Sessions are proven to empower young people to thrive beyond the impacts of family mental ill-health. Envisage First Peoples ProgramEnvisage First Peoples Program is for parents and carers raising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children with developmental difficulties or disabilities. Developed by mob, for mob, the program is free, led by carers with lived experience and is a safe space to yarn with respect for culture and community. No diagnosis or NDIS plan needed. A workshop to help you de-clutter your lifeCarers QLD and Carer Gateway are running a workshop all about de-cluttering your life and how you can get back on track with knowing where to start. Know someone who has been anxious or worried lately?University of Queensland’s Centre for Clinical Research are conducting an Australia-wide online research study tailored specifically to help those living with dementia or mild cognitive impairment who experience anxious or worrisome thoughts. They are seeking volunteers to participate in their research from the comfort of their own homes. Seeking family/carer Lived Experience workers in the Queensland mental health systemGriffith University is inviting Family/Carer Lived Experience workers in paid or voluntary roles who have worked in QLD mental health services in the last five years to participate in a study. This study aims to identify Family/Carer workforce issues, challenges, and supports. We hope to map the scope and roles of the QLD Family/Carer Lived Experience workforce as well as investigate your experiences of participating in this workforce. The aim of the study is to represent the many voices of the Family/Carer Lived Experience workforce to make recommendations to further support this important workforce. Carer Connect Support Group - Fostering RecoveryHear from two EDQ lived experience speakers (Michelle & Chloe) about their eating disorder recovery journey. Date: Wednesday 19 June Peer Work ScholarshipsThe Peer Work Scholarships Program is an initiative of the Australian Government Department of Health.The Program aims to strengthen and grow the mental health and suicide prevention Lived Experience workforce by funding scholarships to support people to undertake the Certificate IV Mental Health Peer Work.The Queensland Alliance for Mental Health (QAMH) has been contracted by the Queensland Mental Health Commission (QMHC) to lead the project to deliver the scholarships in Queensland.There are 178 scholarship packages available in total throughout 2023-2024.Join QLD Public Trustee for Matters of TrustA Q&A forum to discuss key services, avenues for support and social benefits with our Queensland Public Trustee panel. Morning tea and a light lunch included. RSVP by 7 June. Date: Wednesday 12 June Carers Queensland supports and servicesCarers Queensland’s Carer Program provides free services and supports to assist you in your caring role. Their work focuses on carer consultation, improving your health and wellbeing, and helping you connect with your local communities and other carers. Click here to see current events or visit their website via the link below to find out more. Job OpportunitiesEating Disorders QLD have two very exciting roles in their Carer/Key Supports Team:
Find out more below Always here for youYou 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. |