…Because I care

Anyone, anytime could be a carer. But what does this mean?
How does caring affect people; the carers, their families, their communities?

Carers Week is an awareness week held during October each year right across Australia. The event was established to promote and raise awareness of the valuable role that carers play in our community and to generate discussion about carer issues. Carers Week also provides an opportunity for carers to come together, support one another and share ideas and information.

…because I care is the theme for Carers Week to be held 19 – 25 October 2008 to explore the impact of caring on individuals and society.

There are over 700,000 carers in Victoria, providing care and support for family members and friends with a disability, mental or chronic illness, or who are frail aged.

Carers Victoria provides a range of important services like information, referral, education and training, support and counselling. Call our Carer Advisory Line on 1800 242 636 to be connected to our services.

To find out more about Carers Week, visit http://www.carersweek.com.au/

Mandalas and Colour for Relaxation and Exploration more...
- Partnership with ARAFEMI and Villa Maria
- 10am – 2pm Monday 27th October at ARAFEMI, 270 Auburn Road Hawthorn
- The contact ARAFEMI Carer Helpline  1300 550 265

Bridging the Gaps South– Afternoon at the Cinema
Bridging the Gaps consists of education and information sessions for parents and family carers of young people with a mental illness.
- 25th October, Please call ARAFEMI Carer Helpline 1300 550 265 for more details

 Afternoon Tea and Launch of a new Mental Health Carers Group
- 2.00pm Saturday 25th October, 48 Mundy Street, Bendigo
- Contact Sandra Attwell, Golden City Support Services 54342777 for more information.
 
Grief and Loss Workshop more...
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, and new ideas about living with grief. An experienced grief counsellor will facilitate the workshop.
- 10am-1pm Saturday 18th October at ARAFEMI, 270 Auburn Road Hawthorn
- Please call ARAFEMI's Carer Helpline 1300 550 265  for more information (see attachment for full details)

• FAIRFIELD. Monday morning 10.00am-1.00pm: Commencing 30th June , 6 week duration
• FITZROY. Tuesday night 6.00pm-9.00pm: Commencing 5th August, 6 week duration
• HEIDELBERG. Tuesday night 6-30pm-9.30pm: Commencing 14th October, 6 week duration.
• RINGWOOD. Wednesday night 6-30pm-9.30pm: Commencing 29th October, 6 week duration

"The Future of the Mental Health Review Board & Involuntary Treatment: Informing the Review of the Mental Health Act 1986". If you are interested in issues concerning involuntary treatment and care of people with a mantal illness then this forum is for you. 

Representatives will be attending from the Mental Health Review Board, VMIAC, Mental Health Legal Centre and Victoria Mental Health Carers Network.

The forum will be held at 9.15am on Wednesday 22nd October 2008 at DHS Conference Rooms 01.02 and 01.03, 1st floor, 50 Lonsdale St, Melbourne. There is no cost to attend & participate. Morning Tea provided.

RSVP by close of business 13th October 2008 to Maria Jimenez Ph: 8601 5299 mariajimenez@dhs.vic.gov.org.au

Welcome the new season in style by joining Dame Elisabeth Murdoch AC, DBE at her beautiful home, Cruden Farm, for a Spring Picnic on Sunday 12 October from 11am - 4pm.  Visit the gorgeous rose garden, take a tranquil walk around the lake, explore the hidden courtyard and stone stables, and relax with your family and friends over lunch.  Food and drinks for sale or bring your own picnic.

Cruden Farm, Cranbourne-Frankston Road (enter from Cranhaven Road), Langwarrin (Melways ref 103 F 6).  Adults $15, children under 15 free.  For further enquiries contact Asha Sandifer at Alzheimer's Australia by phone: 9815 7800 or email: asandifer@alzvic.asn.au.  All proceeds from the day will go to charity, including the Mental Health Foundation of Australia.

Westside Circus are proud to present Escape-hatch: 3 suburbs, 35 teenagers, 1 story about art, escape and humanity. Date: October 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th at7pm. Location: Westside Circus Warehouse 3, 433 Smith Street, Fitzroy Tickets: Child $12, Conc $16, Adult $20. Tickets go on sale 3rd September 2008. To purchase your tickets Phone: 03 9660 9666 Web: melbournefringe.com.au In person: Fringe Info Centre Fed Square, Or on the door at Westside Circus

Are you interested in a respite outing to the town of Warburton? Come with ARAFEMI on a fun day out during Spring! Click here to find out more!

West Side Circus presents Spilt Milk - A dynamic work of physical theatre and clowning, a quirky investigation of the hazards of expressing and denying our feelings, an exploration of youth mental health, rated PG. Dates and times: September 23rd @ 7pm; 24th @ 3pm and 7pm; 26th @ 3pm and 7pm; 27th @ 11am and 2pm; 28th @ 11am and 2pmLocation: Westside Circus, Warehouse 3, 433 Smith Street, FitzroyCost: Child $12, Conc $14, Adult $18Tickets go on sale 3rd September 2008. To purchase your tickets Phone: 03 9660 9666 Web: melbournefringe.com.au In person: Fringe Info Centre @ Fed Square Or on the door at Westside Circus.

Find out about mental health services and carer support in the City of Whittlesea. Click here to find out more.

ARAFEMI announces its 29th Annual General Meeting.

Date: Wednesday 10 September 2008

Time: 430-530

Address: Phyllis Hore Meeting Room, Kew Library, Corner of Cotham Road and Civic Drive, Melway May 45 Ref D6

Warren Jenkins the Executive Officer of ARAFEMI will present 'ARAFEMI-looking to the future'. 

Finger food provided after the meeting. For further enquiries phone ARAFEMI on 98109300.

 PANDA are proud to present a day of inspiration and insight, a unique opportunity to spend a day with international PND consumers from the US and UK as they share their experiences and wisdom through workshops and lectures. Date: September 9th 2008Time: 10am – 4pmLocation: Bayview on the park, Queens Rd Albert Park For enquiries and booking information contact:Louise Khanbashi or Belinda Horton. Call 9481 3377 or email louise@panda.org.au

Well Ways is a support and information program for families and friends of people with mental illness. The program includes up to date information about anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, obsessive compulsive disorder, schizoeffective disorder and dual diagnosis disorders; information about mental health and carer services;practical insight into behaviours associated with mental illness;practical frameworks to improve communication and problem solving skills; dilemmas and complexities of the caring role. The program consists of eight 3 hour weekly group sessions plus four follow-up sessions over 12 months.

Dates and Locations:

EPPING. Tuesday nights 6.30pm 9.30pm, commencing 13th May, 8 week duration

FAIRFIELD. Monday nights 6.30pm 9.30pm, commencing 19th May, 8 week duration

WERRIBEE. Wednesday nights 6.30pm 9.30pm, commencing 28th May, 8 week duration

FAIRFIELD. Wednesday nights 6.30pm 9.30pm, commencing 9th July, 8 week duration

MOONEE PONDS. Thursday nights 6.30pm 9.30pm, commencing 14th August, 8 week duration

BOX HILL. Thursday mornings 10.00 - 1.00pm, commencing 21st August, 8 week duration

SOUTH YARRA. Monday nights 6.30pm 9.30pm, commencing 1st September, 8 week duration

RINGWOOD. Tuesday nights 6.30pm 9.30pm, commencing 30th September, 8 week duration

EPPING. Tuesday nights 6.30pm 9.30pm, commencing 7th October, 8 week duration

WERRIBEE. Wednesday nights 6.30pm 9.30pm, commencing 8th October, 8 week duration

SUNSHINE. Thursday nights 6.30pm 9.30pm, commencing 23rd OCTOBER, 8 week duration

For bookings please contact Family Education Intake Worker At the Mental Illness Fellowship on 03 8486 4232 or wellwaysfamed@mifellowship.org Book early because places are limited

PANDA presents a day of inspiration and insight, this is a unique opportunity to spend a day with international PND consumers from the US and UK as they share their experiences and wisdom through workshops and lectures. Date: September 9th 2008Time: 10am – 4pmLocation: Bayview on the park, Queens Rd Albert Park For enquiries and booking information contact:Louise Khanbashi or Belinda HortonCall 9481 3377 or email louise@panda.org.au