Arafmi Mental Health Carer Forum –
Brisbane 2025

On Thursday 18 September 2025, Arafmi hosted our annual Mental Health Carers Forum at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, with carers also joining online. More than 110 mental health carers took part, alongside 30 community organisations and government bodies hosting stalls that provided valuable opportunities to connect with services and resources.

Our Mental Health Carer Forum provided an inspirational and positive event 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.

The program featured guest speakers, Q&A panels, round-table discussions, an art space, free massages, dance performances, professional headshots, self-care gifts and shared meals, with generous prizes from Queensland Ballet, QPAC and Loving Loudly adding to the celebration.

Feedback from Carers

The feedback that carers provided about the forum was that they valued:

space to pause and reflect on their caring role
learning about their rights and available supports
building confidence to advocate for themselves and those they care for
connecting with others who “get it.”

Some of the carer attendees stated:

It reminded me that I am not alone in my journey or my anxiety and worry for the person I care for. Time at the Forum gave me space to think about how I’ve been living my life for others – and not always for myself.

Thank you for an amazing forum – I really appreciated the opportunity to connect with others, and hear more about the amazing work of Arafmi.

Thanks you so much. This was my first Arafmi event/activity and it was such a great experience.

The forum this year was wonderful, speakers and topics were fantastic. I appreciate all the effort, time, laughter and tears that goes into arranging a forum like this. I found the talk from Dr Christian Heim brilliant; I will certainly be added the notebook DOG AND CAT to my interactions with my young person’s team. Loved the variety of stall holders, would be happy to see more in the future.

When asked about the benefits they gained from attending, the top three responses from carers were: connecting with others (84% of respondents); learning something new (79%), and gaining information to help them as carers (83%).

Overview of the Day

Session 1
The day began with a Welcome to Country by Tribal Experiences, followed by a welcome and introduction to Working with Carers, Family & Kin: A Guide for Healthcare Professionals by Emma Griffiths, Senior Advisor – Policy & Advocacy.

Sue Goodwin, Arafmi’s Lived Experience Advocacy Team Lead, shared progress on the issues carers prioritised at last year’s forum.

Alex Tyson, Arafmi General Manager for Carer Support and Advocacy outlined: the breadth of carer supports provided over the last year; highlighted new resources like the Young Carer Fact Sheet and discussed Arafmi’s partnership with Wellways Carer Gateway to expand supports for carers across Queensland.

Session 2

A panel and Q&A featured:

Hon Emma McBride MP, Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Assistant Minister for Rural and Regional Health
Ivan Frkovic, Queensland Mental Health Commissioner
De Backman-Hoyle, Mental Health Carers Australia
Irene Clelland, CEO Arafmi

Carers also joined round-table discussions exploring how to build allies and support networks.

Session 3

The afternoon featured:

An introduction to MHLEPQ by CEO Simon Katterl
A presentation from Dr Christian Heim, Getting the Most Out of Your Psychiatrist, followed by a Q&A session.

The Forum was a powerful reminder of the strength and resilience of mental health carers and of the importance of creating spaces where their voices are heard, valued and supported.

Presentations

2025 Arafmi Carer Forum – Brisbane Overview

Missed the Event? Watch it now

Advocacy

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

March 5, 2026 No Comments

Advocacy

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

March 5, 2026 No Comments

Arafmi Mental Health Carer Forum – Brisbane 2025