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Meet Sue
Arafmi Staff

Meet the Carer Gateway Team: Sue from the Sunshine Coast

“I’m actually on your team.” Meet Sue, supporting mental health carers on the Sunshine Coast.  “The person that you care for has a whole team of people around them, but I’m actually on your team.” It’s a sentence Sue comes back to often because she’s seen what happens when a carer hears it for the first time. Every day at the Sunshine Coast Carer Gateway Hub, people caring for a family member, partner or friend living with mental health challenges walk through the door looking for support. For Sue, it often starts with something simple: a smile, a cup of tea and a place to sit. Ask Sue what she loves most about her work, and her answer isn’t what you’d expect. It’s seeing the moment someone realises they don’t have to carry it all on their own. “It probably comes right back down to the look on somebody’s face when they realise that they’ve got somebody on their side and that they can be whoever they want to be. And we’re not going to judge them, we’re just going to try and support them the best way we can.” Putting carers back at the centre Most people walk through

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July 3, 2026 No Comments
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Carer Story

From carer to lifeline: The Queensland volunteers helping others mental health carers

From carer to lifeline: The Queensland volunteers helping other mental health carers For Arafmi volunteer Louise Dutton, when her son became unwell with mental ill-health, she “didn’t really know what she was dealing with.” That’s where her connection with Arafmi began, not as a volunteer, but as a carer trying to make sense of something overwhelming, unfamiliar and at times isolating. Over time, that experience became something she could offer others. Now 82, she’s spent the past 25 years answering calls on the 24-hour Carer Support Line and sitting alongside carers in support groups. What she brings isn’t a set of answers, but a way of helping people feel understood. As she explains, “Listening plays a big part. And so you’ve got to find out where the person is coming from… sometimes the person is so stressed that they can go round and round in circles. You just try and pick out a few points and confirm, is that what you’re telling me? And then try and help them to understand that we know where they’re coming from because we’ve had a similar experience.” For carers reaching out, that recognition can be enough to help people feel more steady and

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April 30, 2026 No Comments
Hidden Role of young carers
Carer Event

The hidden role of young carers

“I just thought it was normal” – the hidden reality of young mental health carers For many young people, caring doesn’t have a name. It’s something they do as part of everyday life, being there when someone needs them. As Tanya Boge from our Carer Support Team explains: “Many young mental health carers don’t identify with the word ‘carer’ they see what they do as just helping out.” What often goes unseen is everything that sits behind that. The mental load, the worrying, the responsibility, and the feeling like they have to stay strong, even when things are uncertain. Over time, that can begin to shape how young people see themselves and where their own needs fit. “Many also grow up without clear boundaries, which can make it harder to balance their own needs alongside supporting someone else.” For Tanya, this understanding comes from her own experience. “It’s important to me because I was a young mental health carer myself, even though I didn’t have that language at the time. I just thought it was normal to take on that level of responsibility and not have clear boundaries.” Looking back, she can see how those early experiences shaped her. “Without

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April 2, 2026 No Comments
Meet Carol
Arafmi Staff

Meet the Carer Gateway Team: Carol from Townsville

Support where it didn’t exist before Meet Carol, supporting mental health carers in Townsville When Carol Sheeren sits down with a carer for the first time, she notices the same moment. “You can actually see it… they relax and just exhale.” She calls it “the great exhale”, that instant when someone realises they finally have space just for them, and someone who will listen without judgement. Carol is Arafmi’s Carer Gateway Carer Facilitator in Townsville. Since starting last August, she’s been quietly building connections, supporting carers one-on-one, linking them with resources, and offering support where it hasn’t always been available. Her work is part of Arafmi’s partnership with Wellways Carer Gateway, bringing support into regional and remote communities. Meeting carers where they are Without a dedicated hub in Townsville, Carol meets carers where they feel most comfortable, a park, a café, or a quiet space away from home. She also spends one day a week at the Medicare Mental Health Centre, where she meets carers and connects them with other supports. That choice gives carers a chance to step out of their role, even briefly, and focus on themselves. “People often need that first… just to feel supported before they’re

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March 27, 2026 No Comments
Meet Tracy
Arafmi Staff

Meet the Carer Gateway Team: Tracy from Bundaberg

A lifelong carer supporting carers Meet Tracy, supporting mental health carers in Bundaberg When Tracy sits down with a carer for the first time, she often asks a simple question, “And how are you going?”There’s usually a pause. “Most carers start by telling me all about the person they’re supporting,” Tracy says. “Then I ask about them. Sometimes that’s the first time anyone has.” For some, the question brings tears. For others, it takes a moment to even find the words. Tracy is Arafmi’s Carer Support Facilitator in Bundaberg and has been in the role since August 2025. She’s worked in the local mental health sector for eight years, building strong community connections along the way. In a regional area where trust matters, that history counts. But it’s not just professional experience Tracy brings to the role. “I’ve been a carer most of my life,” she says. Tracy grew up as a young carer and today continues caring for her adult children and her partner. That lived experience shapes the way she shows up for others. “I understand what it’s like when everything is about the person you’re supporting,” she says. “Sometimes carers aren’t even in touch with their own needs

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March 5, 2026 No Comments
arafmi blog header warm
Carer Event

Future Planning Workshops – Housing worries – support and advice for carers

Housing worries? Support and advice for carers Housing can be one of the biggest uncertainties carers face when thinking about the future. Renting, housing options and long-term stability are common concerns, especially when supporting someone living with mental health challenges and thinking about what the future might look like. In February, more than 40 mental health carers joined our Future Planning housing workshops (in person and online), to learn about housing options, renters’ rights and where to find support. We invited three guest speakers working across different parts of the housing system to share their knowledge and practical advice. Why stable housing comes first Ryan Twomey from Micah Projects shared how the service supports people who are struggling to find or keep housing. Carers can drop in for an initial conversation with the person they support. From there, staff can help explore options such as housing referrals, crisis accommodation or connecting with other services. Ryan also outlined longer-term housing pathways. This can include applying for Department of Housing, where applications are prioritised based on vulnerability, or exploring community housing providers, where rent is generally around 25% of a person’s income. Micah Projects works from a “housing first” approach, recognising that stable housing is often the first step in helping

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March 5, 2026 No Comments
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Advocacy

Future Planning 19 November – Focusing on Rights and Support

Future Planning Workshop: Focusing on Rights and Support – 19 November 2025 Our latest Future Planning workshop, held on 19 November at the Greek Club, brought together carers, families and supporters for an important conversation about rights, advocacy, and planning for the future. This session centred on understanding the systems that shape mental health care and social supports, and how to navigate them with confidence. Championing Rights in Mental Health Services We were delighted to welcome Margaret Murphy, an Independent Patient Rights Adviser (IPRA) working within the Metro South Hospital and Health Service. Margaret’s role is unique: although IPRAs work in public hospitals, they are independent from mental health services, allowing them to offer impartial advice to patients, nominated support persons, families and carers. Margaret explained how IPRAs support people to understand their rights under the Mental Health Act 2016, offer guidance during difficult or confusing periods of care, and help ensure that people feel informed and heard. She shared useful resources, including fact sheets, brochures and videos, which are easily accessible for anyone wanting to learn more. One story she shared captured the impact of this service: “Without the help of IPRA I would have left the hospital and

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November 28, 2025 No Comments
Make the Holidays Easier Blog Post
Carer Support

Making the holidays easier: support and tips for carers

Making the holidays easier: support and tips for carers The holidays can bring extra stress for mental health carers, especially if the services your person relies on are closed. While everyone is dealing with the usual summer holiday celebrations (and stress), you may find yourself juggling more organising, bigger emotions and more crisis moments than usual. Add in financial, time and family pressures and it’s easy to feel stretched. So how do you look after yourself and the person you care for when a supposedly joyful time feels overwhelming? The good news? You don’t have to go through it alone. Arafmi’s 24/7 Carer Support Line is open every day, including public holidays (call 1300 554 660 or 1800 351 881 from Regional Queensland). We can also offer one-on-one support, depending on staff availability and we’re always happy to be part of your end-of-year wellness plan (more on that soon). Another way we support carers during this time is through our End-of-Year Preparation for Carers workshop. Ben, one of our Carer Support Team members, has been running this workshop for the past two years. He helps carers plan for tricky social situations, practise responses to hard questions and build in small

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November 28, 2025 No Comments
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Advocacy

Regional highlights: connecting for mental health and celebrating carers across Queensland in October

Regional highlights: connecting for mental health and celebrating carers across Queensland in October October was a busy month for our team, as we travelled across Queensland, visiting Toowoomba, Gympie, Sunshine Coast, Cairns, Charleville, Bundaberg, Rockhampton, Gladstone, Ipswich and Kilcoy to connect with carers, families, communities and partners, and celebrate the vital role of mental health carers during Queensland Mental Health Week (4–12 October) and National Carers Week (12–18 October). We met many mental health carers who hadn’t connected with Arafmi before, giving us the chance to share information, offer support and listen to their experiences. These events also strengthened relationships with local services and organisations, opening new opportunities to work together to better support carers in regional and remote areas. Some of the highlights included: Noosaville Carers Lunch: Carers from Gympie and the northern Sunshine Coast enjoyed a relaxed lunch in Noosaville, organised with Meichelle Hughes from Family and Carer Support at Sunshine Coast Hospital. Ipswich Gala Dinner: Arafmi and Wellways Carer Gateway co-hosted the first Ipswich Gala Dinner on 10 October, with over 70 guests enjoying dinner, live music, dancing and prizes. 2025 National Carers Week Breakfast: Arafmi staff attended this event on the Sunshine Coast, hosted by Wellways

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October 31, 2025 No Comments
BrisbaneMH Carers Week
Advocacy

Brisbane highlights: connecting for mental health and celebrating carers across Queensland in October

Brisbane highlights: connecting for mental health and celebrating carers across Queensland in October Across Brisbane, Arafmi hosted and joined a range of events throughout October for Queensland Mental Health Week (4–12 October) and National Carers Week (12–18 October), bringing carers, community partners and government representatives together to celebrate and recognise the vital role of mental health carers. Some of the highlights included: Attending the QLD Mental Health Awards hosted by Open Minds, shining a spotlight on the everyday heroes making a big difference in mental health. Launch of the Parliamentary Friends of Mental Health Carers Group (QLD) at Parliament House, an Arafmi-led initiative co-chaired by Kerri-Anne Dooley MP (Redcliffe) and Jonty Bush MP (Cooper), both with lived or living experience as mental health carers. We were proud to stand alongside carers, raising awareness and speaking with MPs about the challenges they face and how Arafmi supports them. Walk for Awareness, where our team walked side-by-side with carers to raise awareness of mental health and suicide prevention, showing the power of connection and community. Equine-Assisted Carer Wellbeing Workshop, a calming day that gave carers a chance to pause, reconnect with their wellbeing and explore practical tools for self-care. Community stalls at

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October 31, 2025 No Comments
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