Carer Education
“Mental illness was completely new to me and I had to learn as much as I could whilst dealing with my sick son. Education and support was provided at a time of despair and bewilderment” - carer consultation 2007
Family Education
ARAFEMI is a statewide, non-profit organisation, which aims to promote and improve the well being of people affected by mental illness, and to better inform the community about the needs of carers of people with a mental illness.
The ARAFEMI Family Education program is open to family members, friends and carers of people with a mental illness and any other interested people.
ARAFEMI’s Family Education program aims to empower family, friends & carers of people with mental illness to:
- Improve carer coping, knowledge & management skills
- Enhance carers wellbeing, resilience & relationships
- Enhance relationships between carers and mental health services
- Improve consumer mental health through supporting families and carers
- Share & validate the lived experience of carers
- Provide specific education & support to assist in the role of caring
We also provide:
- Education and training to support mental health workers and professionals Professional Development to better meet the needs of families and carers in Victoria
All of our training follows the Carer Life Course Framework, which maps supports across a continuum of caring and recovery. This model allows us to plan supports for carers from early identification (something is wrong) through to ongoing management and coping.
The ARAFEMI Family Education program is open to family members, friends and carers of people with a mental illness and any other interested people.
ARAFEMI provides regular courses and workshops throughout the year at our ARAFEMI head office in Hawthorn. We also deliver education to community and carer groups’ throughout Victoria.
Download Family Services Education Calendar
Download Family Services Education Booking Form
2010 WORKSHOPS:
These workshops run for 3 hours from 10am-1pm on a Tuesday or Saturday
ARAFEMI aims to promote and improve the wellbeing of people affected by mental health issues. The following workshops aim to increase carers’ skills and improve their wellbeing. Thus the wellbeing of the person with the mental illness is also positively affected.
It is recommended that carers book in for all 4 workshops to get an overview of mental health issues. However, each workshop is a stand alone event and can be booked separately. Each workshop will be repeated during the year.
1. Carers Coping Skills
This workshop aims to assist carers to explore issues in supporting someone with a mental illness. Carers will develop self-care skills and feel more confident in communicating in difficult situations. The course also provides assistance with planning treatment and recovery pathways.
2. Challenging Behaviours
Caring for a loved one with challenging behaviour can be emotionally exhausting. This workshop aims to enhance carer's confidence and practical assertion skills when managing manipulation and potential violence.
3. Recovery - How to support it
This workshop aims to assist families and carers of people with mental illness to understand and support recovery. It utilises group work and discussion, videos and carer led experience to help carers maintain hope, explore strengths and feel more effective as a caregiver.
4. Communication with Professionals
Helping a family member towards recovery can be a lot easier when you are part of a supportive team. Learn about mental health services and ways to effectively communicate with your relative’s treatment team.Carers Week
Stress management and lunch out.
To register your interest in these workshops email susan.preece@arafemi.org.au or call the Helpline 1300 550 265
2010 Evening Seminars:
These evening seminars are held on Tuesdays 7-9pm.
Carers can enhance their understanding of living with mental illness in the family and have the opportunity to meet other carers. These seminars are also helpful for those working with families.
1. Partners
Partners of people with mental illness face unique issues regarding their loved ones illness. The seminar will address specific issues concerning partners and will provide an opportunity to hear from how some partners manage and care for themselves.
2. Compassion Fatigue
Families and carers of people who have a mental illness can experience physical and emotional exhaustion through their ongoing roles and responsibilities. In this seminar, families will learn about how to recognise compassion fatigue, and self-care strategies.
3. Feelings of Loss and Despair
Feelings of grief and loss are common for families and carers of people who have a mental illness. This workshop will explore the experience of grief and loss and mental illness.
4. Dual Diagnosis (mental illness and use of drugs and alcohol)
This interactive workshop will assist family carers to gain an understanding of Dual Diagnosis. This workshop’s focus is on causation, harm minimisation, stages of change, and coping strategies and self care for the family.
5. Future Planning
Planning for the future when caring for someone with a mental illness has individual challenges, as compared to caring for someone with a physical illness. This seminar will explore legal issues, wills, and various options to ensure your family member will be supported in the future.
6. Siblings
In this seminar, two siblings will present their experience of living with someone with a mental illness. Some issues that will be explored are the role of a sibling within the family and how to support your own wellbeing. This seminar can also be helpful for parents and family support workers.
To register your interest in these seminars please email susan.preece@arafemi.org.au or call the Helpline on 1300 550 265