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October 12, 2010
Who cares? A film for carers - part 1

Part one of a three part series looking at how mental illness can effect other family members.

Part One of a three part film highlighting how mental illness can effect family members who often become carers. The responsibility can be overwhelming and these films aim to spread the word that carers are not alone in their struggle, and that help is out there.

April 19, 2012
Carers Retreat at Coolangatta Estate

South East Sydney Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre invite 20 carers to a carers retreat at:

Coolangatta Estate

16, 17 and 18 May 2012

South East Sydney Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre invite you to a carers retreat at:

at Coolangatta Estate

1335 Bolong  Road Shoalhaven  Heads NSW

Two night's accomodation, meals, group sessions and transport provided. In-home respite can be provided on request.

COST: FREE for up to 20 carers.

For more information call Roop Shaota on 1800 052 222 during business hours or (02) 9504 6610 if calling out of area.

RSVP by Friday 27 April 2012.

March 9, 2012
NSW Mental Health Commission Consultation Materials

ARAFMI NSW recently conducted a series of consultation sessions relating to the NSW Mental Health Commission.  You can still have your say regarding the priorities that have been set by the Taskforce for the work of the Commission - check out the materials and surveys here.

 

Mental Health Carers ARAFMI NSW recently co-ordinated a series of 5 consultation sessions to brief family members, carers and other stakeholders regarding the NSW Mental Health Commission and to seek their feedback regarding the priority issues for the Commission and preferences regarding further input into the work of the Commission.

 

Attendees at these sessions were given a number of handouts.  These were:

 

March 7, 2012
FAMILY SUPPORT OFFICER – Part Time– Wollongong

Mental Health Carers ARAFMI NSW Inc – Illawarra Branch is seeking a bright, energetic person for a challenging role that will suit someone with talent and initiative who enjoys working in a small team to support carers of people living with mental illness.

 

 

 Mental Health Carers ARAFMI NSW Inc – Illawarra Branch is seeking a bright, energetic person for a challenging role that will suit someone with talent and initiative who enjoys working in a small team to support carers of people living with mental illness.  Relevant qualifications and knowledge of health promotion will be highly regarded.

 

February 28, 2012
Aboriginal Carers Project Report 2009-2010 for Mental Health Carers ARAFMI NSW

The Central Coast Branch of Mental Health Carers ARAFMI NSW Inc identified the need to better support Aboriginal people in the Central Coast Region. As a result of these considerations, ARAFMI Central Coast conducted a project to employ an ATSI Support Worker to better understand the needs of this community.

Download and read the full report into this important project below.

The Central Coast Branch of Mental Health Carers ARAFMI NSW Inc identified the need to better support Aboriginal people in the Central Coast Region.

February 28, 2012
An invitation to participate in a Mental Health Project Consultation

Carers NSW is seeking carers willing to share their experiences of supporting someone with a serious mental health problem to help inform the development of a new Education Package with a specific focus on understanding risks of violent behaviour and its effect on family and carers.

Carers NSW is seeking carers willing to share their experiences of supporting someone with a serious mental health problem to help inform the development of a new Education Package.

The aim of the program is to examine the serious risks of mental illness, with a specific focus on understanding risks of violent behaviour and its effect on family and carers. The final resource will help educate carers to help them understand what is happening to their relative, how to respond, and the importance of effective contact with mental health services.

February 28, 2012
The Triangle of Care - Summary

The Triangle of Care is a guide jointly published in the UK by The Princess Royal Trust for Carers emphasizing the need for better involvement of carers and families in the care planning and treatment of people with mental ill-health.

Here is a summary of the general principles of this guide and links to further information that carers, consumers and clinicians may find of interest.

The Triangle of Care is a guide jointly published by The Princess Royal Trust for Carers and the National Mental Health Development Unit emphasizing the need for better local strategic involvement of carers and families in the care planning and treatment of people with mental ill-health.

February 10, 2012
FREE from Carers NSW: Networking Day & Carer Sensitivity Training for NCCP brokered counsellors

FREE Networking Day & Carer Sensitivity Training for NCCP Counsellors. Email:  nccp.admin@carersnsw.asn.au.  Workshop details and registration form here: Carers_netwking_day.doc

Carers NSW invites  NCCP brokered counsellors, to a free workshop and networking day on 6th March 2012. Counsellors will receive updated information on Carers NSW and the NCCP and the ocassion will be an ideal opportunity for networking with other counsellors and Carers NSW staff.

February 3, 2012
You seem to be interested in the words "primary carer"

Take our short survey if you are interested in knowing more about being a primary carer or their rights

A recent analysis of our web traffic suggests that you are interested in the words "primary carer".  We would like to know more - what interests you?  Take our short survey and tell us more: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/PVCZ36T

We appreciate you taking the time to provide us with your feedback because it helps us make things better for families, in ways that matter.

January 30, 2012
Chief of newly launched National Mental Health Commission 'informed by experience' in his role

 

National Mental Health Commission formally launched! Alan Fels - as new Chief and a mental health carer - to look at the needs of consumers and carers.

Alan Fels, the newly created National Mental Health Commission, is not alien to the needs and issues facing family, friends and carers of people suffering mental illness. His daughter was diagnosed with schizoprehenia 17 years ago and he knows, first hand, the stress and burden families and carers have to deal with daily, and the long term prospects of providing on going care, as carers themselves age.

January 30, 2012
Functions and Priorities of the NSW Mental Health Commission

In spite of the many descriptions available the precise means the new NSW Mental Health Commission should use and the priorities the Commission should have as it goes about its work is still being settled . Commendably, the government is keen to do this in accordance with the views of stakeholders with emphasis on the opinions of consumers and carers. Read more to understand the issues still facing the new Commission and how you can play a part in helping to resolve them.

Commissions are a well-known means of addressing certain types of problems for governments and communities. Therefore it is a good idea to look at some of the reasoning behind Commissions generally when considering the role of the new NSW Mental Health Commission.

January 30, 2012
What’s Happening in Mental Health in 2012?

There are a number of major developments scheduled for the mental health area in 2012. Find out more about what’s on and how you can participate or make your views known about reforms and reviews taking place this year on areas like, the development of the national 10 Year Road Map for Mental Health, the commencement of the new National and NSW Mental Health Commissions and the scheduled review of the NSW Mental Health Act.

There are a number of major developments scheduled for the mental health area in 2012. Find out more about what’s on and how you can participate or make your views known about reforms and reviews taking place this year.

 National Mental Health Commission

 The Australian National Mental Health Commission is scheduled to start operations in 2012, having been allocated a budget of 32 million over 5 years. The role of the National Commission is to:

November 22, 2011
ARAFMI NSW CARER SURVEY NO. 1 ‘The Carer’s Experience’– 2009 Results

In 2009 ARAFMI conducted a survey of members and other carers about the implementation of the primary carer changes in the Mental Health Act 2007.

The purpose of this survey was to better understand the impact that the recognition of the role of Primary Carer in the Act has had on the treatment of carers by Mental Health Services in NSW. It also asked about the information carers would have liked to receive both before their loved one’s admission and before discharge back into the community. ARAFMI is repeating this survey today but here are the results of that original inquiry.

The purpose of this survey was to better understand the impact that the recognition of the role of Primary Carer in the recently passed NSW Mental Health Act 2007 has had on the treatment of carers by Mental Health Services in NSW. It also asked about the information carers would have liked to receive both before their loved one’s admission and before discharge back into the community.

November 22, 2011
Intangible DVD and Book Launch

On the 17th of October Mental Health Carers ARAFMI CEO Keiran Booth attended the launch of the ‘Intangible’ DVD and book by the Far West Local Health District as key-note speaker.

On the 17th of October Mental Health Carers ARAFMI CEO Keiran Booth attended the launch of the ‘Intangible’ DVD and book by the Far West Local Health District as key-note speaker.

The launch was very successful, being strongly supported by the local community and well attended in Broken Hill.

The Intangible storytelling project is based on the thoughts, emotions and experiences of seven carers who are supporting a family member living with mental illnessin and around Broken Hill in regional New South Wales.

November 22, 2011
The Welfare Rights Centre (WRC)

The Welfare Rights Centre is an independent community legal centre specializing in social security law and issues associated with Centrelink benefit payments etc.  Find out all about Carer Allowance Facts and basic criteria and other issues relevant for carers and the people they help support.

The Welfare Rights Centre, is an independent community legal centre specializing in social security law and issues associated with Centrelink benefit payments etc.  The Centre services all of NSW excluding the Illawarra which has its own separate similar service.

 Essentially there are three key areas that WRC is able to provide advice on:

 Qualification determination meaning  assessment criteria and means to access Carer Payments, Carer allowance, Newstart  etc

November 14, 2011
On line 'Mental Health Carer Survey,' now available to complete until Christmas 2011!

The on-line 'Mental Health Carer Survey' is available for completion. Mental health carers and those that work with carers are urged to participate , to have their colletctive voices heard. Please complete before 25 December (Christmas day) 2011. Click  Mental-Health-Carers-Survey-2011-12.  This is an important project that influence mental health policy and project development.  Have your voice heard!

The online Mental Health Carer Survey 2011-12 is available now to all mental health carers to complete and convey their position. The survey will remain open until Christmas Day.  If you are a mental health carer please complete the survey or if you work with carers please pass on this link:  Mental-Health-Carers-Survey-2011-12

November 14, 2011
‘Puerperal Psychosis - A carer's survival guide’

Resource for partners of women suffering Puerperal Psychosis, a rare condition than post natal depression. CraigAllatACarersSurvivalGuide-Web171011.pdf

A new booklet was launched for partners of women with puerperal psychosis, a condition much rarer than the blues or post natal depression (PND) and occurs in one woman in every 500 or so deliveries.  The rarity of the condition makes it difficult for carers to locate information to assist them. This booklet was written by a man, Craig Allat, a person with lived experience of the condition his wife faced.

November 4, 2011
NHMCC launch of "Unravelling Psychological Disability" Position Paper

The NMHCCF  statement paper, Unravelling Psychosocial Disability will be launched by Hon Senator Jan McLucas on 22nd November at Parliament House Canberra. Enquiries and RSVP should be directed to Kim Harris at kim.harris@mhca.org.au by Tuesday 15 November or phone 02 6285 3100  

 

 

The NMHCCF  invites anyone interested (consumers, carers, service providers) to the launch of their position statement Unravelling Psychosocial Disability at Parliament House, Canberra at 5.00pm on Tuesday 22nd November. The paper explores psychosocial disability associated with mental health conditions in Australia and its implications for mental health policy and practice.

October 31, 2011
Report on NSW Ombudsman’s Consultation of Mental Health Carers with ARAFMI NSW Inc

A consultation with carers to support the NSW Ombudsman’s Inquiry into the access of mental health inpatients to accommodation and support services was held on October 4th 2011 at ARAFMI’s offices in Woolloomooloo. Read a summary of some of the general issues raised in our report.

A consultation with carers to support the NSW Ombudsman’s Inquiry into the access of mental health inpatients to accommodation and support services was held on October 4th 2011 at ARAFMI’s offices in Woolloomooloo.

This consultation is being conducted as part of aninquiry into the roles and responsibilities of the Departments of Ageing, Disability and Home Care (ADHC) and NSW Health to provide services for mental health in-patients who are not being discharged due to a reported lack of community based support and accommodation options.

October 17, 2011
Update on the development of NSW Mental Health Commission

Current status on the establishment of the NSW Mental Health Commission from Kevin Humphries, NSW Minister for Mental Health. Click  Newsletter - Oct 2011.pdf 

 The Office of the Hon Kevin Humphries, NSW Minister for- Mental Health, Healthy Lifestyle and Western Sydney-released a newletter updating  progress  on the establishment of the NSW Mental Health Commission.

September 30, 2011
Counting Carers: Are You a Hidden Mental Health Carer in Australia?

Do you spend a surprising amount of time supporting someone in their life?

Do you make sacrifices to help them out?

Are you a hidden carer? Our quiz may help you understand your role.

1) Do you find yourself constantly thinking about the welfare of someone in your life as a result of their mental health?

  1. Yes
  2. Sometimes (meaning alternating between periods when you do and then periods when you do not).
  3. No

 

2) Does this person struggle to perform daily living tasks?

  1. Yes
  2. Some of them
  3. No

 

September 30, 2011
Reviewing the Implementation of Primary Carers Rights under the Mental Health Act 2007

The new Mental Health Act introduced in 2007 for the first time explicitly recognised the role of carers in mental health care. In 2009 ARAFMI conducted a survey of carers to understand how the primary carer changes had been implemented across NSW and how beneficial they had been. Now, two more years later ARAFMI would like to repeat this survey to better understand how the situation has changed since that time, and what further improvements could be made.

The new Mental Health Act introduced in 2007 for the first time explicitly recognised the role of carers in mental health care.

 Section 68: (j) the role of carers for people with a mental illness or mental disorder and their rights to be kept informed should be given effect.

 Further than this it sought to address specific long-standing issues for carers in the mental health area, particularly around the exclusion of carers from information about their loved one’s treatment by the creation of the ‘primary carer’ role.

September 26, 2011
Carer hearing for NSW Ombudsman Inquiry into the access of mental health inpatients to supported accommodation

ARAFMI will be hosting representatives from the Ombudsman’s Office at ARAFMI’s NSW Offices:

Suite 501, Level 5, 80 William Street  Woolloomooloo 2011, to hear from carers interested in this issue from:

2.00pm to 4.00pm on the 4th of October 2011

The NSW Ombudsman is conducting an inquiry into the roles and responsibilities of the Departments of Ageing, Disability and Home Care (ADHC) and NSW Health to provide services for mental health in-patients who are not being discharged due to a reported lack of community based support and accommodation options.

September 2, 2011
Who are Australia’s ‘Hidden’ Carers?

The 2011 Census represented only the second time when questions regarding Carers were included in an effort to capture statistics on how many people look after someone with a disability or illness on an unpaid basis in Australia.  The statistics captured by the Census, whilst noteworthy, only reflect those who have recognised and identified their role as that of a carer.  Accordingly, it is reasonable to expect that there are potentially far more carers in Australia than suggested by statistics. Who are these ‘Hidden Carers’? Are you?

Defining the act of Caring

 The 2011 Census represented only the second time when questions regarding Carers were included in an effort to capture statistics on how many people look after someone with a disability or illness on an unpaid basis in Australia.  Everyday tasks or actions considered “assistance” or support given by a carer were listed in the Census as a means to help classify a carer.  Accordingly, a carer role involves:

September 2, 2011
‘Capacity’ and Consent in Mental Health Treatment

‘Capacity’ is the ability to understand the nature, purpose and consequence of any act or transaction which one enters into. Having sufficient ‘capacity’ is necessary for a person to be able to make almost any legally binding decision, such as entering a contract, giving informed consent to medical treatment or authorising access to confidential medical information. Yet capacity can be seriously affected by mental illness. Learn more about how this issue is handled in the context of mental health treatment.