Arafmi Ltd

Arafmi advocates for systemic reforms to government and service providers. Mental Health Service

Arafmi provides free support for mental health carers in Queensland, including a 24-hour Carer Support Line, individual and group support, workshops and respite accommodation.

26/02/2026

ONLINE INFO SESSION – International Women’s Day 💜

Join us online Friday 6 March for our International Women’s Day information session with special guest Kyra from The Centre For Women & Co.

We’ll be talking about wellbeing, self-care and support for carers of people experiencing mental ill-health, followed by a Q&A.

Register and save your free spot via the link:
https://buff.ly/O6cx3XN

26/02/2026

“Permanent ongoing crisis management.” That’s how one rural Queensland carer described their life.

Carers are carrying complexities behind closed doors that most people would never imagine.

If you’re caring for someone experiencing mental illness and feel isolated, this space is for you.

We share practical supports, regional updates and upcoming programs each month through our newsletter.

📩 Join our mailing list https://buff.ly/tA8fCPM

Because carers deserve more than just surviving the next crisis.

26/02/2026

BrisAsia was vibrant, joyful and full of fresh conversations. Aynur, of Arafmi’s Culture Care team was proud to be there, engaging with multicultural communities and sharing information about support for mental health carers.

If you’re caring for someone experiencing mental health challenges and feel isolated, this space is for you. Even if English is not your first language, we have resources to help you.

We share practical supports, regional updates and upcoming events each month through our newsletter.

📩 Join our mailing list via the link in bio: https://buff.ly/tA8fCPM

25/02/2026

Caring for someone experiencing mental ill-health can feel isolating but you don’t have to do it alone.

Join our Online Carer Support Group, held online on the first Monday of each month from 6pm–7pm (AEST). The next session is March 2nd.

Our groups provide a safe, supportive space to:
• Share your experiences
• Explore coping strategies
• Connect with other carers
• Or simply listen and observe

To participate, you’ll need a device with internet access and a stable connection.

To register:
📧 carersupport@arafmi.com.au
📞 1300 554 660

Support is here when you’re ready

24/02/2026

Recently, our local and regional carer support, advocacy, marketing and leadership teams came together for a team day.

We shared proud moments felt at work, and in life.
We reflected on lived and living caring experience.
We brainstormed and we laughed (a lot).

We paused to recognise the strengths each person brings to this work.

From reflecting on Arafmi's journey over the past five years to mapping where we’re heading next, we looked closely at how our roles fit into the bigger picture.

This team chose to work in mental health carer support. That’s not accidental.

It’s values-driven.
It’s community-driven.
And it’s shaped by lived experience.

Together, we’re building something that makes a real difference for mental health carers.

23/02/2026

Culture Care Carer Support Group — Nundah

Do you care for a family member, partner or friend who is feeling stressed, sad or overwhelmed? You might be a carer, even if you don’t call yourself one.

Join our safe and welcoming group for adults from multicultural communities. Get support, help with stress and worries, share experiences or just listen.

📅 Second Tuesday each month, 9:30am–12pm
📧 carersupport@arafmi.com.au | 📞 1300 554 660

19/02/2026

Thinking ahead about housing and renting can feel overwhelming. You’re not alone 💛

Yesterday, 33 mental health carers joined our Future Planning housing workshop to hear:
✨ how to get free help with rental issues and know your rights (Ashley Campbell, QSTAR, Tenants Queensland)
✨ where to get support if someone is facing homelessness (Ryan Twomey, Micah Projects)
✨ where older women can get housing support and connect with others (Amy Tidbold, Housing Older Women’s Support Service, Footprints Community)

Missed out? Join our next online Future Planning workshop on Thursday 26 February, 11.30am to 1.30pm via Microsoft Teams.
👉 Register https://buff.ly/WgqMxGa

18/02/2026

Mental health carers often tell us they want practical tools to feel more confident supporting the person they care for, especially during challenging moments.

Free, fully funded regional Mental Health First Aid training is currently available for people in unpaid caring roles, delivered by Wellways Carer Gateway in partnership with Headspace Toowoomba and Get Real International. The training is designed to build confidence, skills and understanding in a supportive learning environment.

Both Standard and Youth Mental Health First Aid courses are available.

Toowoomba blended online and in-person training:
• Saturday 14 March 2026 – Standard Mental Health First Aid (in person)
• Friday 20 March 2026 – Youth Mental Health First Aid (in person)

To register, go to https://buff.ly/gJlHb8G or the link in our bio.

If building your skills feels helpful for you or the person you support, this is an opportunity to learn at your own pace, with no cost involved.

Please share with other carers who may benefit.

16/02/2026

Information Session - Am I a Carer?

Do you support someone with daily tasks, health needs or emotional support? You might be a "carer" — even if you don’t see yourself that way.

Join Wellways Carer Gateway for an informative session exploring what it means to be a carer and recognising the vital role you play. Rochelle from Arafmi will be speaking about mental health carers and available supports.

📅 19 February | ⏰ 1–3pm
📍 Cairns Harbourside Hotel Conference Room 209-217 The Esplanade, Cairns

RSVP via Eventbrite here: https://buff.ly/prWPbmO
📧 For more info contact Donna:
Draymond@wellways.org

16/02/2026

Culture Care Carer Support Group - Logan
This new group starts on 24 February.

Do you care for a family member, partner, or friend who is feeling stressed, sad or overwhelmed? You might be a carer, even if you don’t call yourself one.

Join our safe and welcoming group for adults from multicultural communities. Get support, help with stress and worries, share experiences or just listen.

📅 10am–11.30am, fourth Tuesday each month
📧 carersupport@arafmi.com.au | 📞 1300 554 660

13/02/2026

Yesterday Irene, (Arafmi CEO) delivered training to staff from the Office of the Health Ombudsman, including their intake and investigations teams.

The session explored the carer journey, why mental health carers raise concerns, and how services can engage respectfully and early so issues do not become complaints. Irene also shared the Working with Carers, Family and Kin guide, a practical resource to help health professionals work better with carers.

Read the guide here
👉 buff.ly/skohG40

12/02/2026

Everyone’s experience of caring is different. Caring for a friend, family member, kin or loved one can affect many parts of your life, and at some point, support for you can make a difference.

The Arafmi Bayside Carer Support Group offers a safe and welcoming space to talk, listen, share experiences, explore coping strategies, or simply sit alongside others who understand. There is no expectation to speak. Being present is enough.

Support groups are also a gentle way to learn more about the services and resources available that may support you in your caretaking role.

🕐 1pm to 3pm, February 21
📅 Meet monthly, third Saturday of each month
📍 Brisbane Bayside

Please note: groups do not run on public holidays.

To register or find out more, contact Arafmi’s Carer Support Team:
📧 carersupport@arafmi.com.au
📞 1300 554 660

Address

6 Ambleside Street, West End
Brisbane, QLD
4101

Website

http://www.arafmi.com.au/

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Our Story

In 1976, a young social worker on his final placement at the Stones Corner Community Mental Health Service, (then the only such service in Queensland) recognised a need among the families of his clients for a ‘relatives’ discussion group’. Such a group would enable families to meet and share their experiences as carers of family members with a serious mental illness. The group initially commenced with five people who discovered, many for the first time, that they were not alone. They began the fragile process of hearing each other’s stories and working through the pain together, with both tears and laughter.

From these beginnings Arafmi built a model which mutually supports people in one of the most primary roles of humanity – caring for people more vulnerable than ourselves and the ones we love. Arafmi built a model of service which both created and shared knowledge about how to understand who we are, the roles we fulfil and how to take action in the world. From these humble beginnings, Arafmi took action in the world!