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.
Missed the Event? Watch it now
