Frequently Asked Questions
About Carers
A mental health carer provides unpaid support to a family member, partner, friend, or community member living with mental health challenges. Carers can be any age and relationship. You do not need a formal role or live with the person to be a carer.
Contact the Carer Support Team
A young carer is aged 4 to 25 and helps someone who needs extra support. This can include personal care, managing appointments or medication, running the household, translating, or supporting wellbeing and safety.
Accessing Support
Arafmi provides support for mental health carers living in Queensland. The person you care for does not need a formal mental health diagnosis or NDIS plan.
You can contact us directly by calling 1300 554 660 or completing the Carer Support Enquiry Form.
A family member, friend, or health professional can also refer you, with your consent, using the Carer Referral Form.
Arafmi support is provided at no cost to carers. It is funded by Queensland Health and Wellways Carer Gateway. Membership is optional.
Yes. Arafmi support is available whether the person you care for is in a private hospital, a public hospital, or receiving care in the community.
Using Arafmi Services
Most Arafmi support has no limits. You can access one service or several services at the same time. Some workshops, respite, and one-to-one support may have a short waiting period. Priority is given based on need.
Arafmi provides information, guidance, and emotional support. We can also connect carers with specialist advocacy services.
We do not act as individual advocates or attend tribunals and review hearings. We do advocate for carers at a systems level to help improve mental health services and policies.
Arafmi provides online support, group programs, and one-to-one support across Queensland. Regional team members also run face-to-face groups and can help carers start a local group where there is a need.
Our Carer Support Line is available to all carers in Queensland.
Additional Resources
Other organisations include:
Carer Gateway: 1800 422 737 | www.carergateway.gov.au
Carers Queensland: 07 3900 8100 | www.carersqld.com.au
COPMI: www.copmi.net.au
Eating Disorders Queensland: 07 3844 6055 | www.eatingdisordersqueensland.org.au
Little Dreamers (Young Carers): 1800 717 515 | www.littledreamers.org.au
Young Carers Network: www.youngcarersnetwork.com.au