Resource Library

The ARAFEMI Carer Helpline provides free, confidential information, support and referral for family, carers and friends of people with a mental illness. Health professionals and other interested groups many also use the service to find out about supporting families and carers in the community. The trained telephone support workers provide the Helpline service and are […]

The Child Care Access Hotline is a free telephone service that provides information to help callers find a child care service that meets their needs. The Child Care Access Hotline is available via Freecall 1800 670 305 between 8:00am and 6.00pm, Monday to Friday (charges apply on calls from mobile phones). A service is also […]

healthdirect Australia is a free (mobile phone charges may apply), 24 hours a day, 7 days a week telephone health advice line that is staffed by Registered Nurses to provide expert health advice. They will provide advice on how to manage your condition at home. The nurse can also connect you to an emergency service […]

The Parent Peer Support Program together with the Mental Illness Fellowship of WA’s Family Support Program, provide support for parents living with mental illness by trained Parent Peer Support Workers. These Parent Peer Support Workers have a direct lived experience of what it is like to be a parent with mental illness and are at […]

The Youth to Youth (Y2Y) Program is for young people aged 15 to 25 years who have a parent with a mental illness. The program provides: counselling, group work, training, mentoring, safety planning, development of support systems, recreational activities and community education. The programs are designed to provide COPMIs information and education about mental illness, […]

The Carer Respite Program is a free program that is run throughout the year for friends, family and carers who provide support to someone with a mental illness, diagnosed or not. The service provides respite from their caring role and includes carer pamper days, youth camps, massage days, consumer recreation groups and access to a […]

ARAFMI has three part-time Carer Peer Workers who offer assistance and support to friends, family and Carers of someone with a mental illness, diagnosed or not. This is a free service which a person can access as many times as they need. The Carer Peer Workers are carers of someone with a mental illness themselves […]

ARAFMI has two part-time Carer Advocates who can assist friends, family and carers who provide support to someone who has a mental illness, diagnosed or not. The Carer Advocates can provide the following: Information for individuals. Support to self-advocate. Have the advocate speak on their behalf. Obtain assistance from the advocate. Receive referral support. Obtain […]

The Smiles Program provides in depth information and education about mental illnesses and offers children a chance to have their questions answered and meet other children who may be experiencing similar things. The program is available to 8-12 year old young carers. The program is designed to increase coping skills, reduce feelings of isolation and […]

Paying Attention To Self (PATS) is a peer support group for 13-18 year olds who have a parent or sibling with a mental illness. The eight week program is run by the Northern Metropolitan Young Carers Program. PATS is a free program and can offer assistance with transportation. To be eligible, young carers must live […]

Support groups are provided by ARAFMI at various locations for friends, family and carers of someone with a mental illness, diagnoses or not. ARAFMI offers support groups from most offices. The groups are based on need. These include the following: Morning groups, afternoon groups and after hours groups. Carers groups. CALD carers groups. Male carers […]

MensLine Australia is a 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, free, anonymous, confidential telephone support, information and referral service that helps men deal with relationship and family concerns in a practical and effective way.

The COPMI Consultant works across adult and child and adolescent mental health services to support the needs of children and families where a parent experiences a mental illness or mental health disorder. CONSULTANCY ROLE Providing consultation to adult mental health workers and child youth and family staff around COPMI cases. Advice to community organisations regarding […]

The Carers SA ‘Young Carer Program’ supports young carers, up to the age of 25 years, who provide care and support for a parent, partner, child, sibling, relative or friend who has a disability, is frail aged, or who has a severe mental or physical condition. The Young Carer Program team can provide information, referral, […]

Paying Attention to Self is a peer support group for adolescents who have a parent or carer with a mental illness. One afternoon a week, for eight weeks, the group meets after school and works through a structured program of art and craft activities, role plays and discussion. With lots of good food, laughter, a […]

The KOPING Program is provided to young carers aged 13-15 years who have a parent or family member living with a mental illness. The program is designed to increase coping skills, reduce feelings of isolation and increase self esteem. The young people obtain information about mental illness and caring, and participate in activities (eg art […]

The REACH Program was formulated by the Black Dog Institute, a world leader in the diagnosis and treatment of mood disorders. The REACH Program is a free, nine week program/support group for people with depression and bipolar. Participants can learn helpful strategies for managing their illness and can share experiences in a supportive and caring […]

The REACH Program is a 9 week (2 hours per week) psycho-educational wellbeing group (based on the principles of responsibility, education, acceptance, connection and hope) to help participants with depression or bipolar disorder manage their illness and stay well. Topics include fostering strengths, dealing with loss and grief, identifying early warning signs and triggers, wellbeing […]

The Mental Health Carer Respite Program covers the council areas of Salisbury, Playford and Gawler. The program delivers flexible, individually tailored support to meet the needs of carers of people with a mental illness and their families.

The Parenting Together Playgroup is for parents with a mental health issue and their under school age children. The Playgroup is facilitated by local Hawkesbury based services (including the Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District, Hawkesbury District Health Service, Hawkesbury Community Family Services, Peppercorn Family Services and LINCS Volunteer Service). The Playgroup features songs, craft, […]

Separated Dads WA is a unique service that provides support to fathers before, during and after separation. Counsellors provide support, education and group workshops for fathers who want to: Access practical and emotional support and assistance. Negotiate shared care arrangements for their children. Communicate effectively with the other parent. Be prepared for mediation and to […]

The ARAFMI Carer Support Group invites carers of people with a mental illness to join ARAFMI on the third Wednesday of each month. ARAFMI provides an opportunity for carers to network, share skills, gather information, listen to guest speakers and relax and support each other in an informal and welcoming environment. Regular support group get-togethers […]

Relationships Australia provides information, support and advice on relationship issues. Relationships Australia service providers are located in each Australian state and territory.

The Young Carer Respite and Information Program assists young carers who need support to complete their education due to the demands of their caring role. The program has two components: RESPITE SERVICESRespite services enable school aged young carers to access respite and age appropriate support, including educational, social and recreational activities (eg time off to […]

The Parents Group is held during Term 3 over eight weeks. It has a peer support focus, in order for parents to be able to share experiences and safely explore strategies that may reduce parenting stress and increase self-confidence. The group program includes guest speakers who address topics of interest for the parents; this includes […]

Litmus is a support service for young carers and their families where there is a family member affected by mental illness. The services provided include one-on-one support, intensive case management for the young carer and their family, support to the family member affected by mental illness, information, referral, advocacy, support groups, social and recreational activities […]

The CYCLOPS (Connecting Young Carers to Life Opportunities and Personalised Supports) program supports young carers aged 10-18 caring for a family member affected by mental illness, chronic illness, disability and/or alcohol and substance misuse. The services provided include one-on-one support, intensive case management, information, advocacy, referral, support groups, social and recreational activities and community education […]

Partners in Depression is a group education and support program for people who love, live with or care for someone experiencing depression (evidence-based psycho-education group). Six session program (2 hours per week over 6 weeks) run by two facilitators in community settings. It covers a range of topics including: What is depression Treatments for depression […]

Young carers are children and young people, 25 years or under, who help to support a family member or a friend who has a mental illness, disability, drug or alcohol dependency, chronic condition, terminal illness or who is frail. The Young Carer Program at Carers NSW was created to make a positive difference to the […]

FIN-NSW is a family support, advice and advocacy service. It promotes family inclusive child protection practice.

Family By Family is a network of families helping families. Family By Family links up families with things in common to change the things they want to change. Families who have been through tough times and come out the other side are linked to families that have things they want to change. Process: You choose […]

The Resource Options and Support for Carers (ROSC) Program provides services to carers residing in metropolitan Adelaide. Carer Consultants work closely with carers to identify the issues, concerns and/or needs of the carers in order to develop individual Carer Support Agreements (CSA). The CSA outlines the supports and services to be put in place to […]

POPPY (Parents Opportunity to Participate in Play with their Young) is a supported group for Mums and Dads with mental health issues and their children (aged one to five years). POPPY Group meets once per week for eight sessions during each school term and provides an opportunity for individuals to meet others and share experiences […]

SKIPS is a program for primary schools. It deals directly and honestly with the issue of mental illness in families. The program gives teachers straightforward information about mental illness and gives them practical strategies for supporting children living with a parent with mental illness. It highlights how schools can support those families as part of […]

SKIPS is a program for primary schools. It deals directly and honestly with the issue of mental illness in families. The program gives teachers straightforward information about mental illness and gives them practical strategies for supporting children living with a parent with mental illness. It highlights how schools can support those families as part of […]

SKIPS is a program for primary schools. It deals directly and honestly with the issue of mental illness in families. The program gives teachers straightforward information about mental illness and gives them practical strategies for supporting children living with a parent with mental illness. It highlights how schools can support those families as part of […]

SKIPS is a program for primary schools. It deals directly and honestly with the issue of mental illness in families. The program gives teachers straightforward information about mental illness and gives them practical strategies for supporting children living with a parent with mental illness. It highlights how schools can support those families as part of […]

Supporting Kids In Primary School (SKIPS) is a program for primary schools. It deals directly and honestly with the issue of mental illness in families. The program gives teachers straightforward information about mental illness and gives them practical strategies for supporting children living with a parent with mental illness. The program highlights how schools can […]

The Eastern Metro PHaMs (Personal Helpers and Mentors) Program offers an outreach service for people whose ability to manage their daily activities is impacted by mental illness. The program consists of a Service Manager, Community Outreach Workers and a Peer Support Worker that assist clients in the following areas: Increased access to appropriate support services […]

Who Are Young Carers?Anyone up to 25* years of age who is completing primary, secondary or VCAL education, or intending to re-engage with school, who is providing significant support to someone with a disability, mental illness, drug and alcohol problem, or is frail aged. They may be a relative or a friend. * Respite services […]