Hello everyone,  

Here’s a question for you: Why do so many mental health carers have to do so much for the person or people they support? 

Well in the past month, we’ve received a formal explanation. After the nation’s health ministers met on 16 August, they released the Analysis of unmet need for psychosocial supports outside of the National Disability Insurance Scheme. Behind the rather long-winded name the report details how many people, experiencing moderate or severe mental ill-health, in our families and our communities need these supports but are not receiving them from any health service. Hence the ‘unmet need’.

The figures are pretty astounding:
Australia: 493,600 people 
Queensland: 92,010 people 
Again, that’s the number of people not receiving the support that governments know they need.

Psychosocial supports include managing daily living skills and housing, navigating mental health systems, creating opportunities for a social life and accessing education and jobs. Sound familiar? This support
should be provided by psychosocial services, but very often lands in the laps of carers instead.

No wonder 46 per cent of mental health carers, who participated in our At What Cost? report say they, too, are experiencing mental ill-health. 

Importantly, the unmet needs report didn’t include
much about the psychosocial needs of mental health carers themselves in these figures; there’s just not enough data around. 

The unmet needs report was released after a coalition of mental health organisations, including Arafmi, and led by Mental Health Australia called for it to be made public. We hope now that the figures are out, state and federal governments will work out how to plug this massive gap with increased services. 

It’s one reason we’re also backing the Queensland Alliance for Mental Health, the peak body for community mental health organisations, in its push for more funding for the sector in the lead up to the 26 October state election. You can check out the Alliance’s campaign here.

In the past couple of months the Arafmi team and I have spent a bit of time meeting both state and federal MPs, trying to raise awareness of the challenges faced by mental health carers. On a work trip through Canada I was able to share information and experiences with Canadian counterparts and the
Canadian Mental Health Commission. I found it really valuable to hear how carers are doing, in a country which has such similar systems. (And a chance for lucky me to fulfil a childhood dream of seeing the Rocky Mountains – just glorious.)

Keep an eye out in the next week or so for a special State Election bulletin from us, with information and resources for you to use to advocate for better recognition and support of carers. 

Have a great month,  
Irene

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

New Carers Action Plan

Advocacy Brief: Sexual Safety of Consumers in Mental Health Inpatient Units

The National Mental Health Consumer and Carer Forum’s (NMHCCF) Advocacy Working Group has published its Advocacy Brief on the Sexual Safety of Consumers in Mental Health Inpatient Units, which you can view here.

Significant consultation with members of the NMHCCF was done to produce this work, including an online consultation on 10 July as well as the circulation of a survey. The Advocacy Working Group would like to thank everyone who was involved in this project and provided input. 

Shape the Future of Youth Mental Health 

The Third National Child and Adolescent Mental Health and Wellbeing Survey, Young Minds: Our Future, aims to uncover how many young people experience mental ill-health and how this has changed over the past decade.

To better support our youth, the Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research in partnership with Curtin University is seeking young people (16-24) and parents/carers of children (4-17) to join an advisory group for this important study.

National Carer Strategy

Our Lived Experience Advocacy Team Lead, Sue Goodwin, Carer Program and Advocacy General Manager, Alex Tyson and three Arafmi carers recently attended consultations to help shape the design of a National Carer Strategy. The Australian Government has allocated $3.8 million for the development and implementation of this strategy over the next few years.

We encourage you to share your thoughts on what matters most to you and how you can be better supported in your role as a carer by completing the questionnaire. The deadline is 13 September.

End of year workshop

The end of the calendar year can be a stressful and emotional time. From October, the Arafmi carer support team will be running an interactive workshop to support ourselves and others through those times. We will be sharing anecdotes, tips and tricks and explore scenarios together. Further details will be available closer to the time.

New Arafmi Workshop in September:
The Carer/Supporter Journey 

Family and Friends Talking about Mental Health

On 12 August, families and friends caring for young people experiencing mental ill-health gathered with Headspace, Arafmi, and Carer Gateway at IndigiScapes in Redlands. The event provided a wonderful opportunity for connection and information sharing about support available for carers.

Carers often prioritise others and may forget to care for themselves. This event was a valuable reminder of the importance of self-care and that carers are not alone.

Thank you to Headspace Capalaba for organising this event and supporting those who care for young people.

Thank you

Date Claimers - Mental Health Week and Carers Week 

Queensland Mental Health Week, from 5-13 October aims to promote mental health and wellbeing, reduce stigma and discrimination and celebrate the mental health and community sectors. This year’s theme, Connect for Mental Health encourages us all to take steps to support our mental health and that of our communities.

National Carers Week, from 13-19 October is an opportunity to recognise and celebrate our wonderful carers. The theme Millions of Reasons to Care, highlights the need to increase awareness of the many people who care for family, friends or kin. 

Arafmi will be hosting and participating in various events, including a Carer Forum and a Carer Gala Dinner. Look out for more information which we will be sharing soon. 

Brian Herd 

Brian is a partner at HopgoodGanim Lawyers in Brisbane. For some 30 years, he has practised in law relating to older people and their families including Advance Health Directives, retirement living and aged care, incapacity and decision making and family agreements. In his award-winning book, Avoiding the Ageing Parent Trap he offers advice and solutions to respond to the various strains and stresses that adult children will be exposed to in meeting the needs of their ageing parents.

Shanon Cooper 

Shanon is the mother of 8 and grandmother of 16, caring for multiple family members with mental ill-health. Shanon brings extensive Lived Experience and extensive knowledge of support services to the role of Advanced Carer Peer Worker and the Service Integration Coordinator for Metro South Addictions and Mental Health (MSAMH). With a strong aspiration to make a positive difference in the community, Shanon assist carers, clinicians and organisations to navigate the complex web of services that are available.

Atherton Coffee Connect

Day: Every 4th Tuesday
Time: 10:00am-12:00pm

One of our carer support team members will be at a local cafe from 10:00am-12:00pm where you can drop in, have a chat and catch up with us and other carers.

For more info contact the Carer Support Team. 

Susan 

Susan has a background as a Technical Systems Analyst and Interior Architect, and she is also a dedicated carer and advocate, focusing on medical treatments, early intervention, and community events. Her goal is to help carers find the right support and resources, so they know they are not alone. Outside of work, Susan loves singing, performing, reading, creating arts and crafts, travelling, meeting new people, and trying new activities and cuisines. 

Arna 

Arna finds Arafmi to be a perfect fit, thanks to our strong carer-focused team. She first connected with Arafmi through Carers Queensland while she was seeking support to care for her son's mental health complexities alongside his long-standing disability.
Her Lived Experience drives her passion to support other carers and advocate for their needs to be better understood by the government and the wider community. Outside of work, Arna enjoys walking her dogs, tending to her garden and chooks, and catching up with friends who are also carers.

Free film event: Unconditional

As part of National Carers Week, Carers QLD is hosting a free private movie screening of Unconditional, a film that delves into the lives of four unique carers. Watch the trailer.

Date: Friday 18 October
Time: 10.30am-12.30pm 
Where: Red Hill Cinemas
RSVP: By 20th September

This is an invitation-only event with limited spaces.

Big Blue Table - Host an Event 

This October, Mental Health Month, Beyond Blue is inviting you to fight the stigma of mental health one meal at a time. Host your guests, share a meal, start meaningful conversations and help raise funds for those facing anxiety, depression and suicide. 

Queensland Government Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drugs Website Update

The updated Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drugs (MHAOD) content is now live on the Queensland Government and Department of Health websites. Based on feedback from consumers, carers, and clinicians, the websites are now more user-friendly and helpful for everyone. Explore the revised sites for easy-to-understand, up-to-date information:

Queensland Government: Mental Health

Queensland Department of Health: Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drugs

Online Health Services

Queensland Health
Do you have regular appointments with Queensland Health? Save time and skip the hassle of travel and parking with Queensland Health’s video call (Telehealth) appointments. Click here for more info. 

Health Direct
The site uses a symptom checker to understand your healthcare needs and links you to the service that is right for you. Click here to access the service. 

New Group: Weekly Carers Coffee Drop In

Wellways Carer Gateway  is starting a new weekly, carers group on 12 September. Meet with other carers in a supportive space to make connections, share knowledge and experiences allowing you to get to know other people in similar circumstances. 

Date: Thursday 12 September, then weekly
Time: 10:00am-12:00pm
Where: Carer Gateway UMG office,
1993 Logan Road, Upper Mount Gravatt Q 4122

No RSVP is required, simply drop in.

World Suicide Prevention Day 
Tuesday 10 September

Suicide touches countless lives, but together, we can make a difference. By raising awareness, breaking the stigma, and encouraging open conversations, we can help reduce the number of suicides around the world. This World Suicide Prevention Day (and every day) start a conversation. 

WellMob Online Wellbeing Resource

WellMob brings together online wellbeing resources in one place made by and for mob. Here you will find websites, apps, podcasts, videos, helplines, social media and online programs all with a focus on social and emotional wellbeing. The resources topics include:
relationships, men and women specific resources, parenting, gender identity, elders and elderly, young people, disability, mind, body, culture, keeping safe and healing.