Arafmi’s Mental Health Carer Forum returns to Cairns for 2026, held on Tuesday 20 October 2026. We welcome anyone who provides unpaid support to someone with mental health challenges. 

Our Mental Health Carer Forums are designed specifically for carers, family and kin supporting someone experiencing mental health challenges. As every carer and their situation is different, we plan our forums to be a mix of information, connection, and fun.

This year’s forum will focus on The Carer Journey. Our speakers and panellists will bring Lived/Living Experience as mental health carers to the stage, sharing insights into supporting someone in the early days of mental health challenges, through times of difficulty, through to recovery and stability.

Ten community, government, and professional organisations will be on hand to showcase services and supports available to mental health carers. Throughout the day, attendees can also enjoy a complimentary massage and participate in creating a watercolour artwork. Morning tea, lunch, and afternoon tea will be provided for all in-person attendees. Plus, there will be Lucky Door Prizes!

The forum is a wonderful opportunity to meet other carers, share experiences, learn from others and focus on your own wellbeing.

There will be guest speakers including:

• A carer discussion panel
• Advocacy representatives
• Carer peer workers
• and more

There will be stallholders from local organisations and the chance to meat the Arafmi team. In addition the event will also feature a few fun extras , including:

• 10-minute massages
• Somatic movement class
• Guided meditation
• Lucky door prizes and more.

Morning tea, lunch, and afternoon tea will be provided.

We look forward to seeing you there!