ARAFMI (WA) Inc. began as the Association of Relatives and Friends of the Mentally Ill, and is now known as Arafmi Mental Health Carers & Friends Association (WA) Incorporated.
In 2006 we celebrated our Pearl (30th) Anniversary of supporting families and friends of people with a mental health issue and 19 years of incorporation as a charity.
So what do we do - what services do we offer ?
Family Support
Professional family support counsellors are available FREE, for one-to-one counselling either by telephone or in person, by appointment, if you are in the Perth metropolitan area. Appointments may be made by telephone to come to speak with a counsellor at any of our permanent offices, located in Perth, Midland, Fremantle and Whitfords, plus we have counsellors available in Mandurah (Peel) and also Rockingham / Kwinana.
Please visit out contact page with information on how to get in touch with each office.
Family Support in rural regions
Arafmi is currently providing services in North West, Central West and the South West.
For more information please visit our Rural Carers section of the website which is located here.
For information about where you can gain support in rural areas, please visit our locations page.
Metropolitan Mutual Support Groups
These groups, known as Arafmi Share and Care Groups, are available in Bentley, Fremantle, Midland, Mirrabooka, Perth and Whitfords. These groups are generally facilitated by carers for carers. The aim of these groups is for the carers to be able to share their experiences, both positive and negative. Participants gain strength from each other and learn ways to more effectively cope with many situations.
As well as these local groups, we also offer specialised Share and Care Groups such as the Partner's Group, a Parent's Group (for parents of recently diagnosed consumers) and a north region First Episode Psychosis group.
These groups meet regularly and more information can be gained by phoning any of our offices.
Advocacy
Arafmi is committed to advocating at both a policy level and an individual level for appropriate services and standards of service for families of people with mental health issues. We are working to ensure that appropriate policies and procedures are developed to meet the needs of carers of mentally ill people within Western Australia.
arafmi@arafmi.asn.au
Youth Services
We have a specialist programme for young people (aged 8 - 18 years) who have a family member with a diagnosed mental illness. In Perth, this programme operates in the (Eastern) Swan Health District and Upper North Health District. Specialized services offered include age appropriate counselling, resource information, psycho-social education workshops for specific age groups (Kids Club and Atomic Youth) and training programmes for service providers.
Currently, Youth Services is not available in rural regions. However, if you wish to discuss issues relating to young people, or you are a young person needing support, check out our Youth Site here, and / or you are welcome to contact our Family Support workers on our Freecall number. They will consult with the Youth Service's Team to see what assistance can be offered in your situation.
For more information about Youth Services, please click here to go to the Youth Services section.
Holiday Respite
Arafmi has developed a program offering holiday respite to people with a diagnosed mental illness. This enables carers to have some well earned time off and allows the holiday participant an opportunity to socialise with new people and have some new experiences. Each holiday goes for up to 5 days (usually Monday to Friday) and costs just $50, plus pocket money.
Holiday respite may be booked by phoning and discussing your request with our Respite Coordinator.
Click here for more information.
Community Education
Public lectures are presented regularly. We provide guest speakers and lectures to community groups on request, including TAFE & Universities, as well as health service providers and the general community. General topics offered include Arafmi services, Carers' issues and presentations on specific mental illnesses.
lani@arafmi.asn.au
School Education Program
Arafmi delivers Mental Illness Education - Australia (WA) School Education Programme. This national programme involves volunteer carers and consumers talking to high school students about mental illness and its impact on the community, family and friends. It also looks at the resources available to young people to enhance their own mental health.
For more information on Arafmi''s School Education Program click here.
Contact Us:
182 - 188 Lord Street
PERTH WA 6000
Phone: +61 8 9427 7100
Fax: +61 8 9427 7119
Email : arafmi@arafmi.asn.au
Website : www.arafmiaustralia.asn.au
ARAFMI Offices
Perth
Rural Freecall
Phone: 1800-811-747
Hillarys
Phone: +618 9427-7100
Fax: +618 9427-7119
Midland
Phone: +618 9347-5741
Fax: +618 9347-5777
Mandurah
Phone: +618 9535-5844
Broome
Phone: +618 9194-2665
Canarvon
Phone: +618 9941-2803
Fax: +618 9941-2806