The latest news from Arafmi
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Irene Clelland
CEO Arafmi
Hello everyone,
Welcome to Arafmi’s monthly newsletter.
I hope this finds you well and that you’re all finding ways to support and nurture your own wellbeing. I think we all need a bit of comfort after the past few weeks, which have – to say the least - been very difficult. As a peak body for mental health carers, and a service for carers, Arafmi is here when you need us.
The tragic incident at Bondi Junction just over a fortnight ago has left the nation grieving. To everyone affected, those who lost their lives, the injured, their families, and all the first responders and witnesses, I send my heartfelt condolences. To the family of the Queensland man, our hearts are with you, too.
For me, the circumstances of this tragedy have stirred up many tough feelings and thoughts about the lives of people experiencing mental ill-health, their families and friends. It bolsters my desire to make the system better for all of us.
Arafmi was approached by media outlets to comment on the situation and about carer needs in general. I spoke with the ABC’s 7.30 program in the hope it would help the community understand that support for mental health carers exists. You can read the article here.
There’s news as well from the House of Representatives Inquiry into the Recognition of Unpaid Carers. It’s handed down its report with many worthwhile recommendations which would raise the profile of mental health carers. You can read the full report here and Arafmi’s statement here.
In this, and in many of our other endeavours, we are continuing the work begun, in part, by Ailsa Whitehead. A founding member of Arafmi, Ailsa passed away earlier this month, leaving an extraordinary legacy for carers. See below for more details on an opportunity to honour her work.
Also, this newsletter will be a monthly missive to you all, as a way of sharing and building our advocacy work for carers. Please forward this to anyone you think may be interested and if you have information or any ideas to include in the newsletter, please email marketing@arafmi.com.au
Have a great month,
Irene
Vale Ailsa Whitehead
With sadness, we announce the passing of Ailsa Whitehead. Ailsa was 97 years old and the longest standing member of Arafmi, who made many valuable contributions to Arafmi and was an important part of developing support groups and the Carer Support Line. Many of you will have met Ailsa and worked with her over the years and be aware of her passion for ensuring mental health carers were supported.
We are planning a memorial morning tea to remember Ailsa on 22 May. You are welcome to attend and we will send out more details soon.
If you have stories or memories you would like to share or would like the chance to talk about her passing please contact the Carer Support Team
Spotlight on Self-Care
Taking 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.
In the midst of challenging and distressing news, we hope you're finding moments of joy and relaxation. We stumbled upon this delightful article from The Guardian, all about embracing "Vorfreude" – the joy of anticipation – and filling your life with happiness, no matter how busy you are.
Meditation is a powerful tool for improving your wellbeing. Think of this tranquil series, developed by Queensland Health, as an icebreaker into the world of mindfulness.
What's in the News
Each month explore a selection of articles we've curated especially for you.
Advocacy Team Update
As the peak body for mental health carers in Queensland, Arafmi has essential work to do ensuring the views of carers are heard by governments and other policy makers. To this end, Arafmi has expanded its Policy and Advocacy team, including:
Emma Griffiths
Emma has recently joined the team as Senior Advisor – Policy and Advocacy.
Emma is an experienced communications professional, with a love of words and clear language. This has taken her all the way from reporting on country music in Tamworth at the beginning of her career to covering state and federal politics and international affairs on an overseas posting. After a couple of decades at the ABC, Emma found a new use for her skills at the peak body for community mental health organisations, the Queensland Alliance for Mental Health. Now, as Senior Advisor – Policy and Advocacy for Arafmi, Emma is helping to shape our work towards systemic reform of the mental health system.
Sue Goodwin
Sue is our first ever Lived Experience Advocacy Lead.
Sue is passionate about raising awareness of the experiences and needs of mental health carers. She has spent the past 20 years working in social policy research and evaluation, including matters related to disability and mental health. Sue has provided advice to Governments and peak bodies, as well as service providers, to improve their knowledge and practice.
Chantelle Bongers
Chan is Arafmi’s first ever First Nations Lived Experience Lead.
Chan is a fierce advocate for systemic reform in all areas of social policy and services that affect First Nations communities. She has a background in community services, including in identified First Nations positions where she has worked to make service delivery more culturally appropriate and reflective of the unique needs within communities.
Tim Johnston
Tim is our Carer Engagement consultant.
Tim is passionate about giving people a say in systems that affect them. Drawing from his own lived experience as a carer, Tim believes Arafmi can spark positive change by amplifying carers' voices.
With a background in social sciences and over 30 years in the community sector, Tim's focus has been on community development, collaboration and strategic partnerships, particularly in areas like carer support, child protection and family supports, mental health, refugees and housing and homelessness.
The Advocacy Team, working with Arafmi’s leadership, will gather information from carers and other stakeholders and present the views of carers directly to decision makers and funders.
To help do this, the team is establishing a Lived Experience Leadership Group, with help from members of Arafmi’s Carers Advisory Committee. We’ll also be doing further consultation to identify the challenges and support needs of specific groups of mental health carers, including those in First Nations Communities and in rural, regional and remote areas.
Why Lived Experience Matters
Many of the people who work at Arafmi have lived experience as mental health carers, which gives them valuable insights, compassion for and understanding of the carers they support. The establishment of designated Lived Experience roles provides Arafmi with additional opportunities to participate in policy discussions and advocate for system changes that can better support mental health carers and the people they care for.
For Sue, this means making sure that mental health carers are considered in a wide range of policy discussions and decisions. “There are so many people like me out there who are carers, but may not have related to that term and are therefore ‘invisible’. In this Lived Experience role, I have the opportunity to raise awareness of what mental health carers do and the impact this has on many aspects of their lives. By having a seat at the table where decisions are made, I can advocate for changes that will help reduce these impacts and ensure carers know that there are services out there that can support them.”
For Chan, being in a Lived Experience role is an exciting new opportunity. “I’ve come from a service provision background where you are often expected to put your lived experience aside in order to be ‘professional’. Now I am empowered to actively use my lived carer experience to speak up for system change and to provide a platform for other mental health carers to do the same. Being in a designated Lived Experience role has given me the opportunity to influence change within services and support systems. This gives me hope that we can create change for First Nation communities and for mental health carers right across Queensland.”
Carer Support Update
We are so pleased that the Carer Overnight Respite Accommodation has continued to provide a sanctuary and place to relax and connect for many families and carers in the last couple of months.
What some of our guests have had to say:
“Rest is truly a luxury I can’t say I have, but coming here resets my body and mind...The ambience, the little touches, the variety of activities, snacks, local spots to eat or walk to make this feel like a holiday. We were so happy to be the first mother/daughter/First Nations carers here. It is an honour to feel so seen and heard. Thank you all.”
“Words cannot express my appreciation for the kindness, care and love shown to me over these two days. The unit here is so beautiful and I noticed every loving touch in setting it up for us carers to enjoy.. Oh, it was a piece of heaven!”
Drop-in Morning Tea
This month we hosted a drop-in morning tea at The Carers Hub. It offered a wonderful opportunity for carers to explore our accommodation, learn about booking options and experience the welcoming space firsthand. Interested in learning more about the Carers Hub and the supports available? Click the link below.
Mini Inner-City Retreat
Recently, we hosted a two-night Mini Inner-City Retreat at the Carers Hub, featuring activities like riverside walks and a makeup session, plus our new Self-Care Workshop. This workshop helps carers understand self-care and develop practical skills for their wellbeing. We plan to offer it monthly, along with monthly Mini Inner-City Retreats. Interested? Click the link below.
Looking Forward
National Volunteer Week 20-26 May – National Volunteer Week celebrates the crucial role volunteers play in our community. Stay tuned as we finalise plans to express our gratitude to volunteers at Arafmi.
Queensland Mental Health Week - Arafmi is an active member on the Queensland Mental Health Week planning committee to ensure carers are represented and opportunities for collaboration identified. Some key dates already agreed include:
- Walk for Awareness – Opening Mental Health Week on Sunday 6 October.
Join a walk for mental health - 9kms around the Brisbane River or participate and walk from anywhere! We'll be there, drop by our stall.
- Arafmi Carer Forum – planned for Wednesday 16 October.
Carer Support Events and Education
Boundaries Practice Group
Carers are invited to join the Boundaries Practice Group to learn how to build skills and confidence to set boundaries and with useful communication techniques.
It is a facilitated group, offering a place to reflect on specific skills and situations, problem solve and roleplay with the support of other carers.
To register for the group, you need to have attended the Arafmi Boundary workshop.
Toowoomba “Coffee Connect”
The Toowoomba 'Coffee Connect' support group, designed for mental health carers looking for social connections and access to services, was established in February at Urban Grounds Cafe.
The group's launch included a morning tea, featuring representatives from Ipswich Peer Carer Support Team, Carer Gateway, TASC, and Arafmi NDIS Support Accommodation.
If you're in Toowoomba and interested in attending, please reach out to us.
Join us for morning tea with speakers from Eating Disorders QLD
Thursday 2 May
10am – 11:30am
Join Arafmi and Eating Disorders QLD for a morning tea and an opportunity to connect with other carers at the Arafmi Carer Hub. During the event, we'll tour our carer respite accommodation, listen to a carer lived experience speaker from Eating Disorders QLD, and learn about available services for carers.
Family Connections Program
A new Family Connections program has recently begun, with another planned to start in June. The program runs once a week for 12 weeks and offers support to family members across Queensland who care for a person with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). If you are interested in joining the next group, please contact the Carer Support Team.
Arafmi Carer Event Calendar
Explore Arafmi's free support programs. Our calendar includes tailored
support groups, workshops and events for mental health carers.
Opportunities for Carers
Share you thoughts, join the Queensland Trauma Strategy consultations
There is still time to join the Queensland Mental Health Commission’s Trauma Strategy consultations. The Commission is developing a Queensland trauma strategy that will focus on the prevention of trauma, improving the supports provided to people who have experienced trauma (and their families and friends), and reducing the long term impact on individuals and the community to improve mental health outcomes for Queenslanders.
Help shape the Queensland Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy
Health and Wellbeing Queensland is leading the development of Queensland’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy, in partnership with the Queensland Mental Health Commission. Consultation sessions around this strategy have begun.
Have your say on the Queensland Public Trustee proposed reform to fees and charges
The Queensland Public Trustee is proposing to reform its fees and charges for the following key services: financial management, deceased estates and trust administration. State-wide consultation is occurring, and input and feedback is being sought from all Queenslanders.
Help shape change - Draft National Autism Strategy now open for comment
The draft strategy is a framework for improving life outcomes for Autistic people. It helps guide a coordinated national approach, supporting Autistic people at each stage of life. Community feedback is wanted.
Online training - First Steps to Eating Disorder Support
Tuesday 7 May
1 pm – 2 pm
Eating Disorders Queensland are excited to launch their new online training, First Steps to Eating Disorder Support on International No Diet Day. Join the webinar to learn why EDQ designed this training, how this training can benefit you or your organisation, and be introduced to key concepts of the training modules.
An introduction will be given by Ivan Frkovic, Mental Health Commissioner, Queensland Mental Health Commission and Sandra Eyre, Director of Mental Health, Alcohol and other Drugs Strategy and Planning Branch, QLD Health.
Train with Queensland Shakespeare Ensemble - Theatre of the Oppressed
In June join the 'rehearsal for the revolution' by stepping into the world of Theatre of the Oppressed. This QSE training workshop is suited to Community Workers and is the foundational training that underpins their popular Queensland Mental Health Week workshops.
More than just a set of techniques, Theatre of the Oppressed provides an opportunity for individuals seeking to effect change in their own lives and communities.
Theatre of the Oppressed training is open to anyone over 18 years, there is also a scholarship available.
Research participants wanted - The Severe Mental Illness and oral health (SMILE) project
Researchers at the Griffith University School of Applied Psychology and School of Medicine and Dentistry, are seeking participants to assist in research of how poor oral hygiene can impact people with Severe Mental Illness (SMI).
Those who are aged between 18-25 and have lived experience (consumer or carers of those aged 18-25) or are a health professional working within mental health are invited to participate.
Carers Queensland supports and services
Carers 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.
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.
