Mental Health Carers Arafmi Illawarra

14/04/2026

Project Air Carer Session: Relationship Dynamics & Sustainable Caring on 14/5/26, 5:30pm - 7pm at the ARAFMI Illawarra office
The Project Air Strategy for personality disorders is an internationally recognised leader in research, education, and treatment of personality disorders. The next carer session they are delivering for ARAFMI Illawarra is on Thursday 14/5/26, 5:30pm-7pm at the ARAFMI Illawarra office and registration is required. See the information below or in the flyer attached for more details.

01/04/2026

Free Law Talk - Power Of Attorney & Guardianship at ARAFMI Illawarra, 12pm - 1pm, Thursday 30/4/25

Illawarra Legal Centre are providing a solicitor to present a free talk on Power of Attorney and Guardianship at the ARAFMI Illawarra office, 17 Princes HWY, Fairy Meadow. It provides an opportunity for mental health carers to learn about Power of Attorney and guardianship and ask questions regarding your concerns.

The talk will take place on Thursday, the 30th of April 2026, 12pm – 1pm.

There are limited places, and registration is required. You can register by calling or texting David Jackson on 0419 513 684 or via email: david.jackson@onedoor.org.au

09/03/2026

Carers in full- and part-time work are entitled to leave, but the reality is that current entitlements often don’t meet carers’ needs, forcing many to reduce hours, decline promotions, or leave work altogether.

With the rise of sandwich carers (people caring for both children and ageing family members), inclusive, consistent and adequate standards for carer's leave are more important than ever.

This year’s inquiry into the National Employment Standards provides the opportunity to consider how access to paid and unpaid leave can be improved for carers.

In collaboration with Carers Australia and the National Carer Network, Carers NSW is calling for:
- A standalone paid carer's leave entitlement, separated out from sick leave entitlements
- More flexible and increased unpaid carer's leave
- Extending paid carer's leave to casual employees
- Expanding the eligibility for carer's leave to include more carers and better reflect day-to-day caring tasks

You can read more in our submission here: https://www.aph.gov.au/DocumentStore.ashx?id=bda51fe7-53d0-41c1-b770-b61a6a691511&subId=786822.

To share your experience or tell us about how leave could better support you, complete Carers NSW Policy Advice Form: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/policy_advice_form

UPDATE to post: We acknowledge the comments coming through below and will continue to use your feedback information in our advocacy.
For carers needing support, Carer Gateway can be contacted on 1800 422 737.

23/01/2026

Mental Health Carer Support Group on Tuesday 27/1/26, 5:30pm at the ARAFMI Illawarra Office. Registration required

Happy new year to you all!

As mental health carers our circumstances may vary, although we may have common experiences. What I know is that although our circumstances vary, the stress, fear, frustration, overwhelm and uncertainty are shared by many and even experiences of hope, change and relief aren’t isolated. Coming together and supporting and encouraging each other makes a positive difference to our wellbeing. Learning how to make our needs as important as everyone else’s is part of the journey. So, if you have a need to connect, break out of feeling isolated, be understood, or feel cared about, come and join us at our next support group.

ARAFMI Illawarra’s Mental Health Carer Support Group is on the 4th Tuesday of every month. The next one is on Tuesday, 27/1/26, 5:30pm – 7:30pm at the ARAFMI Illawarra Office (17 Princes HWY, Fairy Meadow.)

Registration is required and can be done via sending an email to david.jackson@onedoor.org.au or calling or texting David on 0419 513 684.

04/11/2025

Calling lived experience facilitators We’re excited to be launching new Hearing Voices Groups in Wagga Wagga, Deniliquin, Griffith, and Tumut — and we’re looking for people with lived experience of hearing, seeing, or perceiving to help lead them.

Facilitators will be paid for their time during training and group delivery.

If you or someone you know might be interested, please check out the flyer and share it with your networks, services, or community groups. You’re welcome to print and display it too.

Learn more: www.mmhdaa.org.au/murrumbidgee-hearing-voices-groups Questions? Reach out to: mlhd-hearing-voices-groups@health.nsw.gov.au

We’ll keep you posted when the groups launch in 2026 — new participants always welcome.

30/10/2025

A new report shows the alarming impact of hidden changes at the NDIS, which are creating invisible barriers and growing inequity for some of Australia’s most vulnerable people.
The Australian Psychosocial Alliance’s Access Denied: Psychosocial Disability and the NDIS report draws on first-hand insights from consumers, participants, carers and others involved in the system, NDIS statistics and organisational data. It offers clear recommendations to ensure people with psychosocial disability have access to the support they need, when they need it.
Read more:

The APA has written this report because we are concerned about the unexplained reduction in access to the NDIS for people with a psychosocial disability. We know that: 

29/10/2025

IDAS (Illawarra Drug and Alcohol Service) Information Session for family and carers at ARAFMI Illawarra on Wednesday 26/11/25, 5:30pm-6:30pm.

Mental Health Carers ARAFMI Illawarra is hosting an information session for family and carers on the services IDAS (Illawarra Drug and Alcohol Service) provides, including support for family and carers, on Wednesday 26/11/25, 5:30pm-6:30pm at the ARAFMI Office (17 Princes HWY, Fairy Meadow).

Registration is required and can be done via sending an email to david.jackson@onedoor.org.au or calling or texting him on 0419 513 684.

10/10/2025

Carer Gateway Info Session at ARAFMI Illawarra on 11/11/25, 5:30pm - 6:30pm

02/10/2025

Free 2-day Youth Mental Health First Aid course at ARAFMI Illawarra on 14/11/25 & 21/11/25

Mental Health First Aid Australia’s Youth Mental Health First Aid course teaches participants how to provide initial support to a young person (aged 12-18) who may be experiencing a mental health problem or mental health crisis, until professional help is received, or the crisis resolves.

Course participants learn about the signs and symptoms of common mental health problems in adolescents, how to recognise and respond to an emerging or worsening mental health problem, and the treatments and supports available.

ARAFMI Illawarra is offering Youth Mental Health First Aid for free to family and carers of people experiencing mental health challenges. There are some limited free places for professionals.

Youth Mental Health First Aid is a 2-day course that enables participants to become accredited Mental Health First Aiders, provided they successfully complete a short online assessment after attending the course. All participants will receive a Youth Mental Health First Aid manual.

ARAFMI Illawarra will run Youth Mental Health First Aid over two consecutive Fridays.
When: 9am – 5:15pm on Friday 14/11/25 & Friday 21/11/25
Where: ARAFMI Illawarra – 17 Princes HWY, Fairy Meadow NSW
Registration Required: You can register for the course by contacting David Jackson via email at david.jackson@onedoor.org.au or by calling or texting him on 0419 513 684

Tea, coffee, and biscuits are provided but you will need to bring or purchase your own lunches.

17/06/2025

Family Connections Program for carers of people with borderline personality disorder (BPD) - Commencing on 24th of July 2025 at ARAFMI Illawarra

We are providing a 12-week Family Connections™ program at the ARAFMI Illawarra office, 17 Princes HWY, Fairy Meadow. This program will occur on Thursday evenings, 5:30pm – 7:30pm and commences on the 24th of July 2025.

Places are limited and registration is a must. While ARAFMI Illawarra will deliver the program, registrations are processed by NEABPD Australia and can be submitted via the following link:
https://neabpd.supporterhub.net.au/events/fairymeadow-250724

About the Family Connections™ Program
Family Connections™ is a free, 12-week evidence-based program that provides current information and research on BPD and family functioning, discussion of treatment theories and practices, and individual and family coping skills based on tenets of Dialectical Behaviour Therapy. During the Family Connections™ program, 10 participants meet weekly for two hours with specially trained leaders who facilitate the program, and cover the following areas:

· Education and Research on BPD
· Family perspectives and experiences
· Relationship mindfulness skills
· Emotional regulation skills
· Effective communication and validation skills
· Problem management skills.

The program also provides group support that builds an ongoing network for Family Connections™ members in their area, one of the most valued aspects of the program.

Three independent large-scale studies have validated the effectiveness of Family Connections™, and the program will be run by specially trained facilitators with a wealth of knowledge and experience.

If you have a family member with BPD, I strongly recommend attending the Family Connections Program. The knowledge, skills and support you will obtain by participating in the program will empower you in your caring role and enhance your relationships and wellbeing.

If you have any questions please contact Carer Advocate, David Jackson on 0419 513 684 or email: david.jackson@onedoor.org.au

23/04/2025

Free Law Talk - Power Of Attorney & Guardianship at ARAFMI Illawarra, 12pm - 1pm, Friday 23/5/25

Illawarra Legal Centre are providing a solicitor to present a free talk on Power of Attorney and Guardianship at the ARAFMI Illawarra office, 17 Princes HWY, Fairy Meadow. It provides an opportunity to learn about Power of Attorney and guardianship and ask questions.

There are limited places, and registration is required. You can register by calling or texting David Jackson on 0419 513 684 or via email: david.jackson@onedoor.org,au