First Nations Townsville Consultations

Chantelle Bongers (First Nations Lived Experience Lead), travelled to Townsville to discuss with local organisations whether First Nations communities identify with the term ‘carer’, what is unique about caring roles within culture and what supports exist to support First Nations mental health carers. The conversations offered some insight into the importance of caring for someone with mental-ill health and how this continues to be a cultural practice within First Nations communities.

A unique caring role was noted for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community in terms of the importance of caring for country, which needs to be done first before any other supports will be effective. “When you care for country, you care for our people” (Stakeholder). They shared that cultural practices of caring have become harder due to the increasing incarceration of young people. In addition, caring cultural cycles have been broken, thus making it harder for community members’ mental health to be cared for using cultural practices such as a healing garden.

Further conversations highlighted how First Nation mental health carers, and mental health carers in general, are struggling to access culturally appropriate services, and bulk billing options for mental health services and transportation to and from services. One service provider broke down crying when they heard about our carers respite hub and described it as “a piece of heaven that can heal our mob”.

Further work will be undertaken with more stakeholders and community members around the uniqueness of their caring roles and how this impacts on First Nations carers’ mental health and what advocacy areas should be a priority for the region.

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

April 2, 2026 No Comments

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

March 27, 2026 No Comments

First Nations Townsville Consultations

Related Posts:

The hidden role of young carers

Meet the Carer Gateway Team: Carol from Townsville

Recent Posts

First Nations Townsville Consultations

Information