The latest news from Arafmi
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Irene Clelland
CEO Arafmi
Hello everyone,
Nearly fifty years ago, a small group of people who each cared for someone experiencing mental health concerns, banded together to form Arafmi in Queensland. They volunteered their time to help other mental health carers, and to be their voice to decision-makers.
Today, volunteers are still at the heart of Arafmi’s work. Our Carer Support Phone Line is the only telephone service for mental health carers in Australia that operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – and only because we have volunteers helping to answer that line.
Our Board members, too, provide their advice on a voluntary basis, sharing their wisdom and knowledge to ensure Arafmi is on a firm footing for the next fifty years.
So here is my heartfelt THANKYOU to all the volunteers who work with Arafmi to support and represent mental health carers. You can give them a shout-out too during Volunteer Week which is
18-24 May.
If you would like to put your hand up to volunteer with Arafmi, we are always keen to hear from you. You will receive training and support, and can register your interest here. It’s a feel-good way to use your experiences as a mental health carer – helping others.
Also this month, if you are caring for a person who is an NDIS participant, we have developed a simple information sheet on the changes announced by the federal government last week. We are also planning an information session, and a feedback process, so we can hear from you how this is affecting your role as a carer.
Hope you have a great month,
Irene.
What's On for Carers
Arafmi is hosting free advocacy, information and connection events for mental health carers in May. Click the images below to get involved and have fun.
May workshops for carers: practical tools that help
Caring for someone can be a lot, you don’t have to figure it out alone. Learn simple, practical tools you can use in your caring role, backed by current research and shared by trainers with Lived Experience who understand what it’s like.
All workshops are free for mental health carers in Queensland.
Click on the image below to register for a workshop that interests you.
Take a day to rest and recharge
Day Retreat for Carers
When: 12 May 2026, 9am–4pm
Where: Glasshouse Mountains
Cost: No cost for carers
Transport: Available, including train station pick-up
This small, fully catered day retreat offers mental health carers space to reset, reflect and be supported. Think gentle watercolour, light movement, mindfulness, and time to rest or connect with others who understand.
Spots are limited and filling fast.
Bundaberg
Arafmi Group Coaching journalling workshop for mental health carers
Supporting someone with mental health needs? Interested in connecting with others and learning new skills?
Join our 6-week program in a safe, supportive space to reflect on your caring role, share experiences and develop new skills.
Facilitated coaching supports you to make positive changes and live a more fulfilling life.
In a small group with a carer coach, each week you will focus on a different topic to identify your needs, build resilience, and learn practical wellbeing strategies.
Dates: Fridays for 6 weeks, 8 May to 12 June
Time: 10:30am-12pm
Where: Bundaberg North
Bundaberg
Arafmi In Person Peer Support Group for Mental Health Carers
Supporting someone with mental health needs? Interested in connecting with others and making some positive changes in your life?
You are invited to join us to connect with other carers, explore common issues and concerns and share ideas for managing challenges.
With the support of a facilitator with their own caring experience you will have the opportunity to reflect, connect and take time for yourself.
Over 6 sessions we will explore common themes for mental health carers in a supportive facilitated group setting.
There are two group options:
Option 1
Dates: Tuesdays fortnightly, from 19 May to 28 July
Time: 10am-12pm
Where: Bundaberg
Option 2
Dates: Thursdays fortnightly, from 14 May to 23 July
Time: 1:30-3:30pm
Where: Bundaberg Central
Drop in with the Arafmi Carer Gateway team
Drop in for a chat with our friendly Carer Support Facilitators. Get information, support and resources to help in your caring role.
Mt Gravatt
Where: Wellways Carer Gateway, 1993 Logan Road, Upper Mount Gravatt
When: Fridays, 8am–4pm
Strathpine
Where: Medicare Mental Health Centre, Shop 7, 327 Gympie Road, Strathpine
When: Wednesdays fortnightly - 6 May & 20 May, 10:30am-4:30pm
Nambour
Where: Wellways Carer Gateway, A1 24 Lowe Street, Nambour
When: Tuesdays, 8:30am-4:30 pm
Townsville
Where: Medicare Mental Health Centre, 32 Walker Street, Townsville City
When: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 10am-12pm
Cairns
Where: Wellways Carer Gateway, 141-143 Abbott Street, Cairns
When: Tuesdays, 12pm-2pm (except 18 May, info session)
Rockhampton
Where: Wellways Carer Gateway, 2/87 Archer Street, Rockhampton
When: Thursdays, 9am-2pm
Gladstone
Where: Wellways Carer Gateway, 1 Buller Street (corner of Derby and Buller Streets), South Gladstone
When: Fridays, 9am-2pm
Cairns save the date: info session for mental health carers
When: Monday 18 May
Supporting someone through mental health challenges can be tough, especially when things escalate. You don't have to handle it alone.
Join us to learn about:
• local support services available in Cairns
• practical strategies for supporting someone, including during crisis situations
• simple ways to look after yourself while caring for others.
Want to hear more about upcoming workshops, support groups and future events? Visit our website or follow us on socials.
Feature: Volunteers
From carer to lifeline: The volunteers supporting other mental health carers
For Arafmi volunteer Louise Dutton, when her son became unwell with mental ill-health, she “didn’t really know what she was dealing with.”
That’s where her connection with Arafmi began, not as a volunteer, but as a carer trying to make sense of something overwhelming and, at times, isolating.
Now 82, she’s spent 25 years answering calls on the 24-hour Carer Support Line and supporting carers in groups. She explains, “Listening plays a big part... sometimes the person is so stressed that they can go round and round in circles. You pick out a few points and confirm, is that what you’re telling me? Then help them feel understood because we’ve had a similar experience.”
For carers reaching out, that recognition can help people feel more steady and see a way forward.
Julie, who facilitates a support group, has seen the impact firsthand: “A carer came to their first meeting... they’d lost all hope. By the time they left there were smiles. The next month they shared that a huge weight had been lifted, they didn’t feel alone anymore.”
Margaret says sharing experiences helps build a sense of safety within the group: “I do feel that when we share these experiences and stories, it builds trust and authenticity amongst the group.”
For Helen, it’s that connection that keeps her coming back. “Facilitating isn’t just giving,” she says. “It’s receiving hope, resilience and connection too.”
What these volunteers share is a common thread: they’ve taken a difficult experience and turned it into support for someone else.
During National Volunteer Week, 18 to 24 May, Arafmi recognises volunteers like Louise, Julie, Helen and Margaret. The 2026 theme, “Your Year to Volunteer”, encourages others to get involved.
Thinking about volunteering? You don’t need to have everything figured out.
“Chances are you have a huge amount of Lived Experience, therefore, you’re the perfect person to volunteer!”, Julie
Want to get involved? Express your interest via the link or call 1300 554 660.
Regional Update
Cheryl, Arafmi Carer Support Regional Coordinator (left) with Meredith Barry, TRACC.
Coolabunia Saleyards, Nanango
Sometimes support starts with a simple conversation.
Arafmi has been out on the road across the South Burnett and Western Downs, bringing drop-ins and workshops closer to people supporting someone with mental health concerns.
In Miles and Chinchilla, local libraries kindly opened their doors, creating a space to drop in, have a chat, and talk about the carer journey. These conversations covered the real challenges, along with simple strategies and helpful resources.
Cheryl, our Carer Support Regional Coordinator, also stopped by the Coolabunia Saleyards near Kingaroy to connect with farmers and producers. With recent world events putting extra pressure on rural communities, it is important people know support is there for them, and for those they care for.
Next stops: Tara and Jandowae. Sessions will be coming to local libraries soon.
What's Been Happening Behind the Scenes
'What having Standards feels like to me' - Poster, Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care website
You might hear us talking about an “audit” — here’s the simple version.
We’re moving to new national standards called the National Safety and Quality Mental Health Standards for Community Managed Organisations (NSQMHCMO).
In simple terms, this is about making sure you receive safe, high-quality support, and that carers are respected, included and heard.
What this means for you:
- support that fits your needs
- feeling heard and respected
- your role as a carer recognised
- a chance to give feedback.
Behind the scenes, we’re updating things like privacy, feedback and complaints to make sure everything aligns. It’s about making sure you can trust the support you receive, now and into the future.
Reflections from a Carer
At a workshop on the Sunshine Coast, carer Sandie shared a simple but powerful idea — setting aside a full week for herself each month, something she calls “My Week”.
Spotlight on Self Care
When was the last time you booked a health appointment for yourself… and kept it?
You’re not alone if it’s hard to find the time or afford the cost. Nearly half of carers are also managing their own health condition (ABS, 2022), so knowing what support is available can make things easier.
If getting to an appointment feels too hard, there are other options. Telehealth (phone or video calls) and home visits can make it easier to access care at home. If you have a regular GP, start there — telehealth is often bulk billed if you’ve seen them in the last 12 months.
Helpful ways to find support that works for you:
👉 Healthdirect service finder: find GPs, psychiatrists, pharmacies, physiotherapists, pathology, hospitals and urgent care. Filter by bulk billing, telehealth or home visits.
👉 someone.health: get support for stress, anxiety, depression and other mental health concerns through Medicare bulk-billed, online psychologists.
Support you can access through your GP:
👉 Chronic Disease Management Plan: up to 5 Medicare-subsidised allied health sessions each year (e.g. physio, psychology, OT). A gap fee may apply.
👉 Mental Health Treatment Plan: up to 10 individual and 10 group sessions each year with an eligible mental health professional.
Respite can also give you time to attend appointments or take a break. Call Wellways Carer Gateway (1800 422 737) or the Arafmi Carer Support Team (1300 554 660) to explore your options.
Taking care of your own health isn’t about adding more to your plate. It’s about finding small, realistic ways to get the support you need.
Like airplane passengers, let’s not forget to put on our own oxygen masks first. We are no good to others if we collapse under the strain — Peter B., Carer.
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.
Have you supported a young person through suicidal distress?
A new study is exploring what it’s really like to support a young person aged 12–25, including the challenges carers face, their wellbeing, and how they find and access support. It also looks at how carers use, or feel about using, digital tools and resources.
Researchers from Orygen and the University of Melbourne are inviting carers and family members to take part in a 45-minute online survey.
Your experience can help shape the design of new digital tools and supports for carers.
Paid opportunity for carers: Share your experience and help shape a new Medicare Mental Health Centre
Have you supported someone who has been to Emergency for mental health care in North Brisbane (near Chermside)? Brisbane North PHN is seeking carers, family members and kin to share their experience.
When
• In person: Thursday 7 May, 9.30am–12pm
• Online (Teams): Friday 8 May, 5pm–7.30pm
What you’ll receive
$150 for your time (2.5 hours)
Who can take part
• aged 18+
• have supported someone who attended Emergency for mental health care
• live in, or support someone in, North Brisbane (Chermside area).
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.
