Are you caring for someone experiencing mental ill-health? Want to meet others who are in the same situation, talk through the issues, challenges, explore some solutions and have some fun?  Then come along to Arafmi’s free Mental Health Carer Forum.  The forum will be held during National Carers Week (13-19 October), a time to recognise, celebrate, and raise awareness about the 3 million Australians who provide care and support to family members or friends. There are two ways to participate in the forum this year: Submit an Expression of Interest to attend in person at The Ballroom, Victoria Park, Herston Or watch online via YouTube. You will have the opportunity to: Hear from key speakers including Brian Herd, Australia’s leading expert on law relating to older people and future planning; Shanon Cooper, a mental health carer with extensive experience in the human services sector; and Ivan Frkovic, Queensland’s Mental Health Commissioner. Learn how to use your Lived Experience as a mental health carer to advocate for policies and services that better support you and the person you care for. Engage in discussions with key representatives from mental health organisations on issues that matter to you. Discover the latest information about

Arafmi’s inaugural mental health carers report: ‘At what cost? The experiences of unpaid mental health carers in Queensland 2023 – 2024’ “At What Cost?” collates and analyses the feedback from carers in consultations held by our Advocacy Team, late last year. The report has been mailed out to all State MPs, Queensland-based Federal MPs, senior public servants and other stakeholders. Follow-up meetings will occur to raise awareness of the systemic reforms that carers need. In this report, Arafmi has identified six areas for action that will guide our advocacy work over the next two years: Raise awareness of mental health carers so that they can be better recognised and supported. Advocate for physical, emotional, social, mental health, and practical support for mental health carers. Facilitate access to relevant information and training for mental health carers. Promote carer inclusion in mental health treatment planning and implementation. Increase financial assistance for carers. Advocate for inclusion of the voices of mental health carers in mental health reform. A summary of the key findings and recommendations can be found in the document below: Read here “You often find out the hard way what’s available and what would’ve helped in the early stages. It would