Jade Farren will present information on a new young persons hearing voices group being developed at Prahran Mission.

This session will be of particular interest to carers of young people between the ages of 16-30, who have had the experience of hearing voices.

Where: Bridging the Gaps- Southern, At Family Life, 197 Bluff Road, Sandringham (Melways ref: 76,K12)
When: July 1st from 7.30—9.30pm
Contact: ARAFEMI Helpline 1300 550 265
Who: All carers are warmly welcomed to attend

Glen Eira City Council together with Inner South Mental Health Family and Carer Network invite you to attend the Pathways to Mental Health Forum. Come along to hear about the services for carers and people with a mental illness, obtain advice, share stories with others and build a better understanding of the services on offer.

Date: Tuesday 23 June 2009
Time: 7pm–9pm
Registration and supper: 6.30pm
Venue: Auditorium, Glen Eira Town Hall, Corner Glen Eira and Hawthorn Roads, Caulfield
Cost: This is a FREE community information forum.
Keynote Speaker: Jo Buchanan- teacher, psychotherapist, author and carer.

Jo has had two books published, Wings of Madness and Copping It Sweet: A Handbook for Australian Carers.

Topics at the foum will include:

• What services are on offer? A presentation by Manager of the Community Program for Alfred Psychiatry- Susanne Birks.
• Personal stories from carers and people with mental illness.
• Question and answer panel discussions.
• A range of information stalls on mental health services and support available.

Disability access and parking available. Food and refreshments will be provided. Places are limited and bookings are essential.

RSVP by Friday 12 June 2009 on 9524 3333.

6th National Child & Adolescent Mental Health Conference in conjunction with the Inaugural World Children of Parents with a Mental Illness Conference (COPMI).

When: 26 – 28 October, 2009            
Where: Adelaide Hilton SA

Click here for the brochure
Click here for the conference website

Seminar: Compassion Fatigue

Families of people who have a mental illness can experience physical and emotional exhaustion through their caring responsibilities.   In this seminar Wayne Lynch from the Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement will explore how to recognise compassion fatigue, and self-care strategies. This is also a great skills building workshop for workers who support carers.

When:   Wed 10th June
Time:     7pm-9pm
Where:  270 Auburn Road, Hawthorn
Cost:    $5 booking fee
Details: Call the ARAFEMI Carer Helpline for more information on 1300 550 265

Workshop: 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 during difficult situations. The course also provides assistance with planning treatment and recovery pathways.

When:   Sat 20th June
Time:    10am-1pm
Where:  270 Auburn Road, Hawthorn
Cost:    $5 booking fee
Details: Call the ARAFEMI Carer Helpline for more information on 1300 550 265

Note:

• For further details on both sessions please visit www.arafemi.org.au   
• Please note to attend ARAFEMI seminars or workshops please fill out a booking form and pay a deposit prior to attendance. To download visit http://www.arafemi.org.au/family-support/support-groups.html

 

Charles ‘Bud’ Tingwell who died last week on May 15 2009 at in Melbourne at the age of 86. Bud had an extraordinary 60 year career spanning TV, radio and film.

‘His daughter Virginia and son Christopher were at his hospital bedside when he died…. Right up to his death he had been in good health and still working. He had been diagnosed with prostate cancer and took ill two weeks ago. We salute a true gentleman who will be sadly missed by the Australian entertainment industry and his countless number of fans’ (Charles Bud Tingwell website, 2009).

In particular we would like to acknowledge his advocacy of carer needs through his acting career, public speaking and the media interviews. Bud was a carer for his wife, Audrey who died of cancer in 1996. ARAFEMI notes that our community is poorer for the loss of a person who gave so much pleasure to others and so much of himself to help society.

ARAFEMI would like to share our sincere condolences to all the Tingwell family and his friends.

Have you experienced caring for a loved one with a mental illness?
Would you like to become a Carer Peer Support Worker?

This is an invitation for experienced carers to dedicate some time to supporting other carers in the same boat.

Carers know how lonely it can be facing the challenges of mental illness, the worries about loved ones and navigating through the many services.

We are setting up a new peer support service in the Northern Region of Melbourne to provide more personal one-on-one support to carers. A place where carers can benefit from an empathetic ear in a safe environment, to receive support from someone who knows the experience of caring for a loved one with mental illness.

We are looking for volunteers to receive training in peer support. Volunteers who can dedicate around 4 hours weekly to this important work. A network of mental health professionals and other peer support workers will be available for ongoing feedback and training of volunteers.

We would be pleased to speak with anybody interested in this program. Please contact Gillian Scaduto at ARAFEMI on 9810 9300 or 9457 5308.

When: Saturday 27th June 2009
Time: 9am til 4pm
Where: Platinum Room, Foundry Arms Hotel, High St, Golden Square, Bendigo
Cost: $10 Carers, $20 workers, Includes morning tea, lunch and resources.

Guest speakers will include:

• Anne Deveson – Writer, broadcaster, film-maker and carer
• Jo Buchanan – Teacher, psychotherapist, author and carer
• A range of interactive workshops will also be offered

For more information or to register for the conference please contact Marlene Lamprell on
5448 1100

This conference is a partnership between Carer Support Services, St Luke's and Bendigo Health.

ARAFEMI is commencing new online support services! The ARAFEMI message board and chat room provide an opportunity for carers of people with a mental illness to gain mutual support and encouragement in a safe environment. Our Chat Room and Message Board will be available from Thursday 27th November 2008.

Message Board

The ARAFEMI Message Board is open 24 hours a day for carers to read and submit posts. New posts will be approved by our Family Support Team at ARAFEMI before being visible on the message board. Please note that this may take a few days.

Chat Room

The ARAFEMI Chat room is a safe and supportive environment where carers can chat and share their experiences. Chat Times: Thursdays (2pm - 3pm) & Thursdays (6pm - 7pm).

A partnership between ARAFEMI Vic and Odyssey House Victoria and their Family Eclipse Program at ARAFEMI.

What:  The Family Eclipse Program supports people aged 16-24 years of age who have a dual diagnosis (mental illness / drugs and alcohol) issues and their families. This partnership allows the Family Eclipse Program to be delivered at ARAFEMI, Hawthorn. This allows families who may be more comfortable in accessing ARAFEMI, to also get drug and alcohol services.

Families are involved in therapeutic relationships through Individual Family Sessions and/or Multi-Family groups over 10-15 weeks. The Program offers young adults and their family members the chance to gain greater understanding of both drug and mental health problems; learn about the interactional affects of drug use and mental illness and the principles of treatment; understand the reasons for family stress and learn ways to reduce its effects on family life and the individual; and learn to enhance communication between family members and improve problem solving skills.  As key providers of drug and alcohol services, Odyssey House workers have the ability to make further linkage to supports and treatment services in drug and alcohol. 
    
How: To enquire further about the program or make a referral please call the ARAFEMI helpline on 1300 550 265.
When: The service will commence in December 2008 on Fridays between 9am and 5pm
Where: The service will be provided at ARAFEMI, 270 Auburn Road Hawthorn.