Arafmi Mental Health Carer Forum 2024Are you caring for someone experiencing mental ill-health? Want to meet others who are in the same situation, talk through the issues, challenges, explore some solutions and have some fun? Then come along to Arafmi’s free Mental Health Carer Forum.The forum will be held during National Carers Week (13-19 October), a time to recognise, celebrate and raise awareness about the 3 million Australians who provide care and support to family members or friends.This is a free event for mental health carers.There are two ways to participate in the forum this year:Submit an Expression of Interest to attend in person at The Ballroom, Victoria Park, HerstonOr watch online via YouTube.You will have the opportunity to:Hear from key speakers including Brian Herd, Australia’s leading expert on law relating to older people and future planning; Shanon Cooper, a mental health carer with extensive experience in the human services sector; and Ivan Frkovic, Queensland's Mental Health Commissioner.Learn how to use your Lived Experience as a mental health carer to advocate for policies and services that better support you and the person you care for.Engage in discussions with key representatives from mental health organisations on issues that matter to you.Discover...

This workshop explores potential situations and emotions carers may face, along with skills to use at various stages of their journey.Drawing on Australian research and shared experiences, this workshop will explore the potential situations and emotions you could experience, and skills to use, as you walk alongside the person you support.Learn from the experiences of other family members, friends, partners and unpaid carers who have supported someone living with mental ill-health.

Supporting positive wellbeingCreate and Connect is a monthly group where carers experience a range of creative activities like journalling to support positive wellbeing.

Financial Info for Carers session is designed specifically for people who care for a friend or family member with mental health needs.This practical Financial Info for Carers session will provide details about a range of financial resources available for carers now and potentially in the future.

This information session is designed specifically for people who care for a friend or family member with mental health needs.Developing a Portable Summary session you will be provided with a template to use to collate relevant details that can be needed by clinicians, service providers and yourself. Recording information centrally can save retelling information over and over and ensure accurate details about a person’s history, needs and supports are maintained.