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Arafmi Mental Health Carer Forum 2024 

Our Mental Health Carer Forum on 16 October provided an important opportunity for mental health carers to hear from leaders in the mental health system, connect with other carers and learn how to utilise their Lived-Living Experience to advocate for better support for themselves and the people they care for.

Outcomes of the Carer Forum Round Table Discussions

The insights from the Carer Forum round table discussions will guide the Advocacy Team’s priorities and future focus areas.

The top priorities identified by carers on the day were centred around enhancing mental health awareness and carer support by:

  • education of GPs and other health professionals about carers and support for carers
  • promotion of existing supports to carers, including making distinctions between crisis supports and ongoing supports
  • for young carers (aged 4 – 25), training for schools and teachers on how to recognise, refer and support young carers, as well as education of young people on signs of mental health challenges.

Other top issues included: raising awareness of trauma from past mental health and child safety systems, proactive outreach to carers when someone engages with the mental health system, providing clear information to carers and involving them in mental health planning and discharge processes. 

In her presentation, Sue Goodwin (Arafmi Lived Experience Advocacy Team Lead) outlined ‘Opportunities To Get Involved’ which are listed below along with presentations from key speakers.

Key Speaker Presentations

Opportunities To Get Involved

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Arafmi would like to thank the Queensland Mental Health Commission for their support.

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Arafmi Mental Health Carer Forum 2024

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