Policy and Advocacy

Arafmi’s policy and advocacy team represents the collective interests of family, kin and other carers of individuals experiencing mental ill-health across Queensland. Funded by Queensland Health’s Mental Health, Alcohol, and Other Drugs Branch and the Queensland Mental Health Commission, our aim is to ensure the voices of unpaid mental health carers are heard by policy and decision makers.

As the peak body for unpaid mental health carers in Queensland we:

gather and promote the collective voices of family, friends, and kin who support people experiencing mental ill-health

raise awareness of the challenges faced by carers and foster a supportive community

ensure that carers’ perspectives are central to shaping mental health policies, systems and services

partner with stakeholders to address the needs of carers

develop resources and training to support carers and educate health professionals and the broader community about mental health carers and their needs.

By engaging directly with carers across Queensland, we aim to ensure our advocacy is grounded in Lived Experiences and addresses real gaps in the system. This ensures that our efforts lead to tangible change.

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Get Involved

Join us in making a difference. Whether you’re a mental health carer wanting to share your experiences or a passionate advocate for mental health reform, your voice is crucial.

get involved in our Community of Practice
Are you a carer for someone with mental ill-health? This Community of Practice is a space to connect with other carers, share experiences and work together to improve support systems through advocacy.
We hold two regular online sessions each month—one on a Wednesday and one on a Thursday. You can choose the session that suits you, swap between them, or come to both.
These sessions run alongside our capability building program and are open to all carers who want to make a difference.