A Practical Guide
Media Release 30th March 2016
In any given year, almost two and a half million people care for a person with mental illness in Australia. Too often, when dealing with organisations providing treatment and care, these same carers can end up feeling left out of the process of creating the care their loved one needs. Now, existing services and programs have access to a new Guide that will enable them to work with, and draw on the expertise of carers when designing and implementing care and ‘packages’ of care for people with mental illness. This ‘Practical Guide for Working with Carers of People with a Mental Illness’ was created by a consortium of experts in mental health care, including Helping Minds, Mind Australia, Private Mental Health Consumer Carer Network (Australia), Mental Health Australia and Mental Health Carers ARAFMI Australia. “The main aim of the Guide is to provide practical assistance to providers to work with carers in a meaningful, mutually beneficial way. A partnership approach, if you like, which will enhance outcomes for consumers,” Independent Chair of the Project, Mr Patrick Hardwick (President of Helping Minds) said today. “Better recognition that carers are key partners in the planning and provision of mental health care makes sound social and economic sense.” Mr Hardwick added “the primary outcome of the Guide, when implemented within a service, will be an enhanced practice of engaging, supporting and working with carers in all areas in which mental health care is provided.” |
Government funded carer services are changing
Why the change? When do the changes take effect? What services will be delivered? Who are the new Carer Gateway Service Providers? Can I stay with my current carer services provider? How do I access the new carer services? Career opportunities Who is Wellways Australia? How do I stay up to date with the changes? For answers to the above questions read the Wellways flyer by clicking on the button below. helpline 1300 111 500 mental health information, support and referral advice 9am to 9pm Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) |
Are you a carer?It's easy to see yourself as a parent, child, family member, friend or partner ... ... but perhaps you are one of Australia's 2.7 million carers. If you provide unpaid care and support to family members or friends with disability, a mental illness, chronic condition, terminal illness or who are frail aged, you are not alone. Caring in different ways Every caring situation is different. It can bring both joy and challenges. But there is one thing that all carers have in common - they give comfort, encouragement and support to the person they care for. Visit Carers Queensland website for a vast amount of information and support. |
Mental Health Resources for Carers - Website
This website contains a program/course that will step you through six phases of the carer journey. It also contains information about the mental health system, treatment and interventions, coping strategies and much more. |