Imagine someone you love experiencing a mental illness episode … There are all sorts of barriers that confront families in a mental health crisis. … When families don’t know where to get help in this type of situation it’s very frightening… When families know where to go for help – but don’t receive any– it’s devastating.… When the family member is admitted to hospital and the hospital discharges the person a few days later into the family’s care – even though they are still patently unwell, you can feel helpless and overwhelmed.
It was for these sorts of reasons that ARAFMI was formed in Sydney in 1975 by Margaret Lukes, a social worker with the NSW Association of Mental Health.The first support group was made up of concerned relatives and friends who identified the need for a service that would specifically address such issues. It was based on the principles of self help and mutual support to build on the strengths of families, and improve their quality of life.
Branches soon grew in a number of regional areas in NSW: Central Coast, Hunter, Illawarra, Wingecarribee-South West Sydney. And a series of support groups were established by member volunteers across NSW. The movement quickly spread to the other States and the Northern Territory, and ARAFMI became the primary provider of support to families and friends of people with a mental illness in Australia.
Across its membership and its history – including the present time – volunteers have been a vital part of the organisation. There have been many dedicated members whose work to lessen the impact of mental illness has stood out, and who have sustained its vision.
In January 2009 ARAFMI NSW was appointed by the NSW Minister for Health as peak body in NSW representing the families and carers of people living with a mental illness. As such we have been given the responsibility to undertake the following activities on behalf of carers:
Through ongoing consultation with our members and other mental health carers across the state we hope to make a positive difference to the mental health system—and your life—by influencing government policy, advocating and lobbying for the changes you identify.
According to the World Health Organisation (2003) advocacy is an important means of raising awareness of mental health issues, and ensuring that mental health is on the national agenda of governments. It has been shown to lead to improvements in policy, legislation and service development, and is considered to be one of the eleven areas for action in any mental health policy because of the benefits that it produces for people with mental disorders and their families