Hello everyone, 

I hope you’ve managed to withstand the winter chills and blues and instead have found small moments of joy and laughter.

I’ve had to travel towards the cold this week, to wintry Melbourne, where the Queensland advocacy team is meeting our sister organisations from around the country. This gathering has been organised by the national peak body for carers, Mental Health Carers Australia, with the peak body for people using mental health services, National Mental Health Consumer Alliance.

It’s been set up to make sure our work is targeted and coordinated, while using our Lived Experience to improve the systems we have to work with. (And purely in the interests of self-care, there has been some time for joy and laughter, too).

We’re trying to ensure that your needs and your expertise are taken into account as governments and other stakeholders discuss both ideas to fill gaps in service provision and the impact of significant changes to the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

So far this year, with both a new state government and a new term for the federal government, there’s been little movement in mental health system reform. Last week’s state budget had some minor initiatives but largely maintained the status quo. We hope that discussion and negotiations about much-needed change will ramp up in the coming months, and that improving the lives of mental health carers will be central to any developments. 

A change at Arafmi
As a National Disability Insurance Scheme provider for the past nine years, Arafmi has had a ‘birdseye’ view on its growing complexities. That long-term insight, coupled with Arafmi’s devotion to its core mission of representing mental health carers, has led our Board to make the very difficult decision to wind down our NDIS-funded services.

In mid-June, our participants and support coordination clients and our wonderful team, were told that Arafmi would no longer provide NDIS services, and that these services would be gradually closed over the next two to three months.

We have worked with other established NDIS providers to offer replacement services for clients as well as some job opportunities for staff. We will keep providing services until all of our clients have alternative care in place. I would like to sincerely thank our NDIS service staff for their understanding, compassion and commitment to participants through this change.

This allows Arafmi to do the work of a peak body without any concerns over a conflict of interest. Though change like this is always hard, I’m confident it will help Arafmi focus on its core mission of representing and supporting mental health carers in Queensland. For mental health carers, Arafmi is (and always will be), open for business.

Remember, you are not alone.
Irene

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

We're hiring: Carer Support Facilitator roles now open across Queensland 

We’re looking for passionate people to join the Arafmi team as Carer Support Facilitators - Carer Gateway Program in Brisbane, Cairns, Townsville, Sunshine Coast, Bundaberg and Rockhampton.

In this rewarding, autonomous role, you’ll support carers in your region through tailored coaching, group facilitation, education sessions and help navigating services. You’ll also connect carers with funding and services, including Carer Gateway programs and build strong relationships with local stakeholders.

These are maximum term contract positions to 30 June 2026.

Celebrate NAIDOC Week 2025: 6 to 13 July

NAIDOC Week 2025 will be held from 6 to 13 July, marking 50 years of NAIDOC Week. This year’s theme, The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy, honours past achievements while celebrating the bright future ahead.

Learn about First Nations cultures and histories and take part in celebrating the world’s oldest continuous living cultures by joining an event or activity near you.

Musgrave Park Family Fun Day
Date: Friday 11 July, 9am – 5pm
Location: Musgrave Park, Brisbane
Cost: Free entry
Enjoy live entertainment, a Community Corroboree and Elders Lunch, Indigenous food stalls, arts and crafts by First Nations artists,  speakers, information stalls and amusement rides.

Shape the future of disability support

Down Syndrome Australia (QLD) is inviting people with Down syndrome, intellectual disability and their families or carers to take part in upcoming community engagement events across Queensland (Brisbane, Cairns, Rockhampton, Mackay, Toowoomba and the Gold Coast).

These inclusive sessions are a chance to share your experiences, raise issues that matter to you and help shape future advocacy and support.

Paid advisory group roles for carers

Mental Health Carers Australia (MHCA) is looking for carers to become Chairs or Members of new advisory groups to share their Lived Experience and help shape national mental health policy.

This is a paid opportunity to have your voice heard and make a difference. Express your interest by Monday 7 July to be considered. The two advisory panels are: 

• Regional and Remote Expert Panel - for family, carers, and kin living in regional (both inner and outer), remote and very remote areas.
• Multicultural Expert Panel - for carers from migrant, refugee, and multicultural communities.

Free mental health support - no appointment needed 

Four new Medicare Mental Health Centres are opening soon in Caboolture, Strathpine, Redcliffe and Lutwyche. 

These walk-in centres provide free, immediate mental health support for adults–no appointment, referral or Medicare care needed. Each is a safe, welcoming space, staffed by qualified professionals and peer workers with Lived Experience.

They join existing centres across Queensland, including Townsville, Ipswich, Kingaroy, Logan, Redlands, Rockhampton, Gladstone, Bundaberg and the Sunshine Coast.