The Peak Body for Mental Health Carers in NSW.
As a peak body, MHCN works with and for mental health carers in NSW. We represent the voices and lived experience of carers which help us to advocate systemically for mental health reform.
Learn More About MHCNOur network is a free community engagement program designed by and for mental health carers, families and friends. Our network is the heart of what we do at MHCN – driven by the lived experience of carers.
Become A MemberMHCN provides a collective voice for carer needs and issues and advocates for government and non-government organisations to engage lived experience in their work.
How We AdvocateOur Vision: Mental Health Carers NSW Inc. (MHCN) is the peak body in NSW for mental health carers, advocating for a Vision of safe and competent mental health services and systems that recognise and respect carers as partners in care planning and delivery, to achieve recovery.
Our Mission: MHCN’s Mission is to support, empower, capacity build, and advocate with mental health carers to ensure their voices and experiences are heard.
We facilitate a range of free training and education sessions for carers, events, information webinars, and lots more – check out what we are doing in 2025!
All mental health carers
It’s important to look after yourself as a carer. Check out our helpful info + tips about how to take care of your mental health and wellbeing.
View Resource
Diverse mental health carers
Helpful info + support for First Nations Carers.
View Resource
All mental health carers
If you’re worried that your loved one is becoming unwell, check out our helpful tips on how to have the conversation here.
View Resource
All mental health carers
Check out what payments you may be eligible for as a carer and where to get help with your finances.
View Resource
All mental health carers
Information for carers about the mental health system.
View Resource
Vale Jenny Learmont, President of Mental Health Carers NSW (1937 – 2025)7th May, 2025
MHCN is deeply saddened to announce the passing of Jenny Learmont, President of Mental Health Carers NSW (formerly Arafmi NSW), on the morning of Saturday, May 3rd, 2025. Jenny will be remembered as a determined long-term community advocate for better recognition and support of mental health carers, as well as for broader mental health reform. […]
Read Article
Carers & Advocacy: Foundations at Darling Square Library!1st May, 2025
Curious about mental health advocacy but not sure where to start? Carers & Advocacy: Foundations explores the essentials of advocacy, from identifying the different types and recognising the key groups involved, so carers can develop a general understanding and start to build their capacity to advocate for themselves and their loved ones. By the end […]
Read Article
Carer Focus Group: Older People’s Mental Health (OPMH) Community Services1st April, 2025
In partnership with the NSW Ministry of Health, Mental Health Carers NSW (MHCN) is seeking carers to participate in a focus group as part of the review of the NSW Older Persons Mental Health (OPMH) Community Services Guideline. This is a great opportunity for carers to share their experiences and help shape how NSW Health […]
Read Article
Work with us! Casual Carer Peer Trainer position available26th March, 2025
About the Role Are you passionate about mental health and helping to educate others? Do you have lived experience of caring for a person with a mental illness or psychosocial disability? Do you get excited about training other carers and enhancing their capacity to care for their loved ones and look after their own wellbeing? […]
Read Article
Carers & Advocacy: Foundations12th March, 2025
Curious about mental health advocacy but not sure where to start? Carers & Advocacy: Foundations explores the essentials of advocacy, from identifying the different types and recognising the key groups involved, so carers can develop a general understanding and start to build their capacity to advocate for themselves and their loved ones. By the end […]
Read Article
Carer & Consumer Community of Practice: Intermediate Advocacy Training for Lived Experience Advocates12th February, 2025
Mental Health Carers NSW and Lived Experience Australia are delighted to announce the next round of training dates for our Carer & Consumer Community of Practice; a program designed to further enhance the skills of advocates in mental health, including non-paid mental health carers, consumers, and community representatives. This free monthly program, consisting of six […]
Read Article
Are you a carer or family member looking for local supports and services but not sure where to look? Our Directory can help you find what you’re looking for.
Our meetings are a space to connect with others, discuss happening at a grass roots level, talk about what advocacy is, how we can work together to identify and address carer issues, and what supports are available.
The Carers of Forensic and Corrections Patients Network is a series of monthly online meetings with family members and carers that have a loved one in the forensic and justice system.
